A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Biblical or Medical?

<self-indulgent>

I figured I ought to wait until Sunday to post my new tattoo here since it’s scriptural in nature — my third scripture tattoo, which may surprise people, but even if you’re not Christian (I’m not), if you know the Bible well, scriptural references are an extremely efficient way of communicating). This is of course Matthew 5:30;

5:30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

The tattoo is on top of a large benign bone tumor that’s being removed this summer. The leg may or may not come off as well, but honestly, my attitude is pretty well summed up by Matthew 5:30. I’d rather have no leg than a gimpy leg or a leg that’s always in pain, and for whatever reason, reminding myself that this decision is ultimately inside my control helps me deal with the stress.

It’s brand-new-fresh in this photo and was done by the brilliant Chino who’s currently working here in Toronto at King of Fools. Best script artist in Toronto (not that that’s all he does!!!) in my opinion.

</self-indulgent>

Comments

66 responses to “Biblical or Medical?”

  1. tony Avatar
    tony

    … also, I hope everything goes for the best with your leg. I pray that you have peace with whatever the circumstance.

  2. tony Avatar
    tony

    … also, I hope everything goes for the best with your leg. I pray that you have peace with whatever the circumstance.

  3. xfearthesunx Avatar
    xfearthesunx

    the implication of an amputated leg with a tattoo on it is strange to me…could you still say that you HAVE a tattoo that’s on a body part attached to you?

  4. xfearthesunx Avatar
    xfearthesunx

    the implication of an amputated leg with a tattoo on it is strange to me…could you still say that you HAVE a tattoo that’s on a body part attached to you?

  5. xfearthesunx Avatar
    xfearthesunx

    btw, i hope you don’t have an amputated leg. just the gears turning

  6. xfearthesunx Avatar
    xfearthesunx

    btw, i hope you don’t have an amputated leg. just the gears turning

  7. Ananke Avatar
    Ananke

    I had a blood vessel tumour that took out most of my cartilage, part of my kneecap and fucked with most of the nerve, ligaments anf tendons in my knee. It’s still gimpy, the scar is fairly big (but nicely flat and hypertropic) and I can totally empathise with this.

    Your knee is such a foundation of movement that there is no real way not to use it. So it is constant pain a lot of the time. I’m lucky enough that it isn’t so bad, that I’m okay with being gimpy. But there are days that a nicely functioning stump, or prosthetic, is infintely preferable to the mass of pain, stiffness and oddness that is nerve damage.

    Best of luck with whatever you decide.

  8. Ananke Avatar
    Ananke

    I had a blood vessel tumour that took out most of my cartilage, part of my kneecap and fucked with most of the nerve, ligaments anf tendons in my knee. It’s still gimpy, the scar is fairly big (but nicely flat and hypertropic) and I can totally empathise with this.

    Your knee is such a foundation of movement that there is no real way not to use it. So it is constant pain a lot of the time. I’m lucky enough that it isn’t so bad, that I’m okay with being gimpy. But there are days that a nicely functioning stump, or prosthetic, is infintely preferable to the mass of pain, stiffness and oddness that is nerve damage.

    Best of luck with whatever you decide.

  9. golden_eternity Avatar

    Not on the same order as a leg, but I just had surgery for a benign tumor in the bone of one of my toes. Doc wanted to bone graft or web my toes together, I asked why not just lop it off? (I didn’t mention to him that it would be something to post on my iam page) Well, I’m hobbling around now with all my toes, some cadaver bone and a pin poking out the front. The only real bummer is that I had to remove my piercings (in case they had to grind bone out of my hip) and my apa closed up before I could gimp my way out to the piercing shop and get it tapered back open. Oh well, I’ll give the PA that remains a couple months… Just a setback.

  10. golden_eternity Avatar

    Not on the same order as a leg, but I just had surgery for a benign tumor in the bone of one of my toes. Doc wanted to bone graft or web my toes together, I asked why not just lop it off? (I didn’t mention to him that it would be something to post on my iam page) Well, I’m hobbling around now with all my toes, some cadaver bone and a pin poking out the front. The only real bummer is that I had to remove my piercings (in case they had to grind bone out of my hip) and my apa closed up before I could gimp my way out to the piercing shop and get it tapered back open. Oh well, I’ll give the PA that remains a couple months… Just a setback.

  11. Ashley Avatar

    I’m glad that you’ve found comfort in the verse.
    I’m praying for you.

  12. Ashley Avatar

    I’m glad that you’ve found comfort in the verse.
    I’m praying for you.

  13. red_eyes Avatar
    red_eyes

    best of luck shannon ur my hero

  14. red_eyes Avatar
    red_eyes

    best of luck shannon ur my hero

  15. chemically_lobotomized Avatar

    I’m seriously thinking that Chino needs to do my next ink.

    ROAD TRIP!!! Good luck Shannon!

  16. chemically_lobotomized Avatar

    I’m seriously thinking that Chino needs to do my next ink.

    ROAD TRIP!!! Good luck Shannon!

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