I’m an Amputee

I’m an amputee. No, I didn’t lose my leg in war. I’m not a veteran and have never served but I am an amputee. I am not going to touch on the he said/she said side of everything but I am going to address the statements accused.

“Nobody wants to see that.”
“It’ll make people uneasy.”

Losing a limb comes with the same grieving process as losing a loved one according to mental health professionals. Many people suffer to accept themselves and their new body let alone face what other people think.

I’ve also recently heard of someone standing before at a city meeting to voice against handicap parking where it’s proposed because she doesn’t want disabled people parking near her home…

Well I’m here to say that I’m proud of my amputation. It means I’m alive. It means I didn’t give in to cancer. It means I get to raise my daughter and unborn baby. I get to help others see that life doesn’t end when you lose a limb or get diagnosed with cancer. It’s not something I’ll hide.

In fact, I can’t. I can’t put on a prosthesis and long pants. I will always be very clearly different.

If that makes you uneasy, come talk to me! I promise I don’t bite.

If you have questions, ask them! I’ll give you an honest answer.

We MUST normalize differences.
We MUST normalize disabilities.

I’m an amputee and I’m proud of that. I will not hide it. And if that makes you uncomfortable or you don’t want to see it, I will not apologize for living and setting an example for my children.