When I posted his amputation photos last month, it raised quite a lot of conversation, so I’ve followed that up with an interview — click through to read that now and come back here to comment!
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Comments
472 responses to “Amputation Interview Posted”
The guy in the interview says: “Disability is all in the mind.” Horseshit. That’s an insulting thing to say for a lot of people with disabilities, particularly high quadriplegics. Tell that to Christopher Reeve… oh, wait, you can’t; he died due to complications from his disability. This guy won’t amputate any fingers because, in my opinion based on the things he said in the interview, he knows that losing hand function is a disability that’s not “fun.” I doubt he’d proclaim that disability is all in the mind if he had no hands.
Later he says: “I don’t really care if people find out they were all voluntary. They will get over it — there are more important things to worry about.” Horseshit again. If he didn’t care who knew, his wife would know. This, to me, shows that he knows something is wrong with what he’s doing. Addicts and other whos are involved in things that they know are wrong or self-destructive on some level exhibit this type of dishonesty all the time.
I believe he has every right to amputate or mutilate or do whatever he wants to his body, as long as he’s prepared to take ownership of it and pay the consequences. The fact that he lies to doctors is bad enough; the fact that he lies to his wife shows that he is not prepared to accept true responsibility for his actions.
I believe in the idea that a mentally competent human being has a right to live as they chose, as long as it doesn’t hurt others, and I even believe in the right to die on our own terms, if we can. Self expression can be a beautiful thing, be it tattoos or body mods or just coloring one’s hair, and if someone wants to pursue elective amputation as a form of self-expression, fine. But I think most of us know this is not really “okay” and that the desire to have elective amputations is rooted in something psychological that is off in some way.
We don’t necessarily have to condemn this behavior–though I do condemn his cowardice in being dishonest with his wife about it–but by the same token, we don’t have to celebrate it either. Having an open mind does not mean we have to think “anything goes” or that anything anyone chooses to do to themselves is completely natural and good.
Speaking of dishonesty, this guy is lying to himself in his thinking that his life is not at risk when he gets infections, introduces infections or lets infections grow. One can become septic and die very quickly from infections, which is exactly why the doctors are amputating parts of his body.
Finally, about the idea of someone with an AKA being a burden on society: A disability can sometimes place a burden on family, friends and society, but there is not always a burden on society, depending on the level of one’s disability and the means by which they can afford to deal with that disability financially. I would argue, however, that there is always some burden on family and loves ones, if only emotionally and psychologically.
The guy in the interview says: “Disability is all in the mind.” Horseshit. That’s an insulting thing to say for a lot of people with disabilities, particularly high quadriplegics. Tell that to Christopher Reeve… oh, wait, you can’t; he died due to complications from his disability. This guy won’t amputate any fingers because, in my opinion based on the things he said in the interview, he knows that losing hand function is a disability that’s not “fun.” I doubt he’d proclaim that disability is all in the mind if he had no hands.
Later he says: “I don’t really care if people find out they were all voluntary. They will get over it — there are more important things to worry about.” Horseshit again. If he didn’t care who knew, his wife would know. This, to me, shows that he knows something is wrong with what he’s doing. Addicts and other whos are involved in things that they know are wrong or self-destructive on some level exhibit this type of dishonesty all the time.
I believe he has every right to amputate or mutilate or do whatever he wants to his body, as long as he’s prepared to take ownership of it and pay the consequences. The fact that he lies to doctors is bad enough; the fact that he lies to his wife shows that he is not prepared to accept true responsibility for his actions.
I believe in the idea that a mentally competent human being has a right to live as they chose, as long as it doesn’t hurt others, and I even believe in the right to die on our own terms, if we can. Self expression can be a beautiful thing, be it tattoos or body mods or just coloring one’s hair, and if someone wants to pursue elective amputation as a form of self-expression, fine. But I think most of us know this is not really “okay” and that the desire to have elective amputations is rooted in something psychological that is off in some way.
We don’t necessarily have to condemn this behavior–though I do condemn his cowardice in being dishonest with his wife about it–but by the same token, we don’t have to celebrate it either. Having an open mind does not mean we have to think “anything goes” or that anything anyone chooses to do to themselves is completely natural and good.
Speaking of dishonesty, this guy is lying to himself in his thinking that his life is not at risk when he gets infections, introduces infections or lets infections grow. One can become septic and die very quickly from infections, which is exactly why the doctors are amputating parts of his body.
Finally, about the idea of someone with an AKA being a burden on society: A disability can sometimes place a burden on family, friends and society, but there is not always a burden on society, depending on the level of one’s disability and the means by which they can afford to deal with that disability financially. I would argue, however, that there is always some burden on family and loves ones, if only emotionally and psychologically.
“Yeuch, dyeing your hair is OK, piercing your lip isn’t.”
“Yeuch, piercing your lip is fine, piercing your cock isn’t.”
“Yeuch, piercing your cock is fine, hanging from hooks isn’t.”
“Yeuch, hanging from hooks is fine, amputating your foot isn’t.”
The last people think they’re different from the first, and that cracks me up.
Odd that he’s a construction worker, though. I guess if he goes ahead with more amputation he’ll have to get a desk job – but that’s not a problem in an industrialised society. Why the hell would it make him a burden?
“Yeuch, dyeing your hair is OK, piercing your lip isn’t.”
“Yeuch, piercing your lip is fine, piercing your cock isn’t.”
“Yeuch, piercing your cock is fine, hanging from hooks isn’t.”
“Yeuch, hanging from hooks is fine, amputating your foot isn’t.”
The last people think they’re different from the first, and that cracks me up.
Odd that he’s a construction worker, though. I guess if he goes ahead with more amputation he’ll have to get a desk job – but that’s not a problem in an industrialised society. Why the hell would it make him a burden?
I can’t say DIY amputations aren’t beyond my comfort zone (because they are) but it just really isn’t right he’s lying to his wife. If this guy doesn’t have BIID (body integrity image disorder) then I don’t think the disorder exists. This guy needs help, he just doesn’t know it, which is common among those with psychological disorders.
I can’t say DIY amputations aren’t beyond my comfort zone (because they are) but it just really isn’t right he’s lying to his wife. If this guy doesn’t have BIID (body integrity image disorder) then I don’t think the disorder exists. This guy needs help, he just doesn’t know it, which is common among those with psychological disorders.
“Why the hell would it make him a burden?”
Because even if he works til he’s 65 and pays his taxes and pays for medical insurance, it won’t cover all the medical procedures and devices required by his voluntary amputations.
“Why the hell would it make him a burden?”
Because even if he works til he’s 65 and pays his taxes and pays for medical insurance, it won’t cover all the medical procedures and devices required by his voluntary amputations.
amber, that nip/tuck episode saddened me greatly, as i was watching with two friends who viewed voluntary amputation as mutilation wheras i try to be tolerant and understand everyone and their choices for their bodies. its very frustrating to try to change the mind of two pierced people and make them understand that loss of a limb is the equivalent of a piercing for some. i feel normal with my nostril piercings and feel ‘wrong’ when i remove them. if someone feels ‘wrong’ with a leg, let them remove it.
amber, that nip/tuck episode saddened me greatly, as i was watching with two friends who viewed voluntary amputation as mutilation wheras i try to be tolerant and understand everyone and their choices for their bodies. its very frustrating to try to change the mind of two pierced people and make them understand that loss of a limb is the equivalent of a piercing for some. i feel normal with my nostril piercings and feel ‘wrong’ when i remove them. if someone feels ‘wrong’ with a leg, let them remove it.
The pictures were hard to look at. This coming from someone healing a medium size skin removal with scabs stuck to the inside of thier pants. But I liked the way he described watching his toe die. How liberating to see that the body is just that. A part of it can die and you can walk (or hobble) away still you. That said I don’t like the deception of his wife.
The pictures were hard to look at. This coming from someone healing a medium size skin removal with scabs stuck to the inside of thier pants. But I liked the way he described watching his toe die. How liberating to see that the body is just that. A part of it can die and you can walk (or hobble) away still you. That said I don’t like the deception of his wife.
I struggle with friends and family asking me why I associate myself (As a “Body modification enthusiast and practitioner”) with the likes of people who “mutilate” their body by means of amputation and other seriously debilitating practices.
I, myself, don’t really care what other people do to themselves, but I do resent being lumped into the same category as people who amputate digits and limbs and carve their genitals off.
I think this quote:
“The difference between modification and amputation is the same that divides decorating a wooden box with dremel, tools and colors and smashing it with a 3-ton hammer.”
Articulates EXACTLY how I feel about it.
VERY well said.
I struggle with friends and family asking me why I associate myself (As a “Body modification enthusiast and practitioner”) with the likes of people who “mutilate” their body by means of amputation and other seriously debilitating practices.
I, myself, don’t really care what other people do to themselves, but I do resent being lumped into the same category as people who amputate digits and limbs and carve their genitals off.
I think this quote:
“The difference between modification and amputation is the same that divides decorating a wooden box with dremel, tools and colors and smashing it with a 3-ton hammer.”
Articulates EXACTLY how I feel about it.
VERY well said.
#13: Infected toenails? Y’THINK??!
#13: Infected toenails? Y’THINK??!
> “Yeuch, dyeing your hair is OK, piercing your lip isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, piercing your lip is fine, piercing your cock isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, piercing your cock is fine, hanging from hooks isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, hanging from hooks is fine, amputating your foot isn’t.”
> The last people think they’re different from the first, and that cracks me up.
I’m one of the last people, and I’m in no way afraid to admit it.
I never really thought about being different from your average “mainstream guy” (I have extremely liberal opinions on certain subjects and almost-nazi thoughts about other ones), I really don’t care.
But still, I think that there’s a giant wall that divides what I see as creative from what I see as simply destructive.
Dyeing, piercing, tattoing, implanting an inordinate amount of crap under your skin is something I see as creative and able to produce beautiful results (though not necessarily), but I can’t really see the point in chopping your leg off, and I really think you can rationally think of *any* benefit in doing it.
I think it’s sane as jumping in the fire to check if it’s really hot.
I’ve always been totally in love with “freaky” people of any sort, as I child I kept wondering if there was a way of growing a tail (!) and was totally in love with Wednesday Addams, but frankly this is way reallyenormouslyquiteactuallyincredibly waaaaay too much.
I believe he’s quite frustrated anyway.
> “Yeuch, dyeing your hair is OK, piercing your lip isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, piercing your lip is fine, piercing your cock isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, piercing your cock is fine, hanging from hooks isn’t.”
> “Yeuch, hanging from hooks is fine, amputating your foot isn’t.”
> The last people think they’re different from the first, and that cracks me up.
I’m one of the last people, and I’m in no way afraid to admit it.
I never really thought about being different from your average “mainstream guy” (I have extremely liberal opinions on certain subjects and almost-nazi thoughts about other ones), I really don’t care.
But still, I think that there’s a giant wall that divides what I see as creative from what I see as simply destructive.
Dyeing, piercing, tattoing, implanting an inordinate amount of crap under your skin is something I see as creative and able to produce beautiful results (though not necessarily), but I can’t really see the point in chopping your leg off, and I really think you can rationally think of *any* benefit in doing it.
I think it’s sane as jumping in the fire to check if it’s really hot.
I’ve always been totally in love with “freaky” people of any sort, as I child I kept wondering if there was a way of growing a tail (!) and was totally in love with Wednesday Addams, but frankly this is way reallyenormouslyquiteactuallyincredibly waaaaay too much.
I believe he’s quite frustrated anyway.
…More power to you!!! If this is what makes you happy, by all means then; be happy!!! I have nothing negative to say in my response to reading the “interview.” Stay up!!!
…More power to you!!! If this is what makes you happy, by all means then; be happy!!! I have nothing negative to say in my response to reading the “interview.” Stay up!!!
I can’t really enter the above intellectual debate about what is too much and where the line between mutilation and modification is. All I know is that I can barely look at the pictures. They just hit a real reptilian part of my brain and “do not compute.” I cannot get my brain around them.
The not telling his wife this is very weird as well. I can’t see how she doesn’t, on some level, know that something is up.
I can’t really enter the above intellectual debate about what is too much and where the line between mutilation and modification is. All I know is that I can barely look at the pictures. They just hit a real reptilian part of my brain and “do not compute.” I cannot get my brain around them.
The not telling his wife this is very weird as well. I can’t see how she doesn’t, on some level, know that something is up.
I agree with #50, 53 and 55.
“Body Modification”, as I see it, is about enhancing your body, making it look nicer i guess and more how you want it. However, if he wants his body to look non-human, which to be honest his feet do, then that does seem like some sort of BDD or BIID to me.
I agree with #50, 53 and 55.
“Body Modification”, as I see it, is about enhancing your body, making it look nicer i guess and more how you want it. However, if he wants his body to look non-human, which to be honest his feet do, then that does seem like some sort of BDD or BIID to me.
Personally this is not for me, theres just something about modifying yourself in such a way that it could truelly affect your day to day life, theres such a permenance to it, even tattoos can be removed but this is pretty much it, no going back.
Personally this is not for me, theres just something about modifying yourself in such a way that it could truelly affect your day to day life, theres such a permenance to it, even tattoos can be removed but this is pretty much it, no going back.
Growing a tail, though abnormal and “freakish” would still be an additional adornment rather than a disabling deformation, imo.
Growing a tail, though abnormal and “freakish” would still be an additional adornment rather than a disabling deformation, imo.
I’m with the people who are upset that he’s lying to his wife. What kind of relationship can he have with her if he can’t be honest about such a vital part of his life? I guess voluntary amputations are okay to a point. If he were to amputate his arms and legs, that’s the point where he’d really become a burden on society/his family/whatever. I love having two feet, two legs, two arms, and two hands, but I guess there are people who would rather function differently. I don’t really understand how he could stand having such a nasty infection, even if it was important to his goal, though. Eeeeeee.
And hooray, Shane. Thank you for telling off moddoctor. I doubt s/he’s a medical doctor anyway. 😛
I’m with the people who are upset that he’s lying to his wife. What kind of relationship can he have with her if he can’t be honest about such a vital part of his life? I guess voluntary amputations are okay to a point. If he were to amputate his arms and legs, that’s the point where he’d really become a burden on society/his family/whatever. I love having two feet, two legs, two arms, and two hands, but I guess there are people who would rather function differently. I don’t really understand how he could stand having such a nasty infection, even if it was important to his goal, though. Eeeeeee.
And hooray, Shane. Thank you for telling off moddoctor. I doubt s/he’s a medical doctor anyway. 😛
Something that I find interesting is that the more “mainstream” body modification gets, the more the body modification community attacks those who are on the fringes. It’s kind of sad that much of heavy body modification is far less accepted in 2007 than it was in 1997… and that these days, many of the attacks come from inside the community. Very sad…
Something that I find interesting is that the more “mainstream” body modification gets, the more the body modification community attacks those who are on the fringes. It’s kind of sad that much of heavy body modification is far less accepted in 2007 than it was in 1997… and that these days, many of the attacks come from inside the community. Very sad…
…And I think it’s because these days people are “into” body modification as “fashion” most of the time, rather than because they are drawn to it on some low level…
…And I think it’s because these days people are “into” body modification as “fashion” most of the time, rather than because they are drawn to it on some low level…
Somebody might want those toes, too bad he got them infected and ruined. I got a small piece of my thumb cut off in a woodworking accident. It would have been nice to have a selection of parts at the hospital from people who didn’t want them to replace it. I don’t mean to sound judging if I do, I’m just saying. I guess no one would cooperate with someone who wanted to donate their parts. If I had to go through it again I would want I piece of my toe on my thumb. It would be much more useful there.
Somebody might want those toes, too bad he got them infected and ruined. I got a small piece of my thumb cut off in a woodworking accident. It would have been nice to have a selection of parts at the hospital from people who didn’t want them to replace it. I don’t mean to sound judging if I do, I’m just saying. I guess no one would cooperate with someone who wanted to donate their parts. If I had to go through it again I would want I piece of my toe on my thumb. It would be much more useful there.
It seems to me he’s just lucky he hasn’t gone septic with any of these DIY amputations/infections.
It’s interesting that doctors will do gender reassignment surgery on people, including breast tissue removal and penectomy (sp?), but not voluntary amputation.
I wonder if the amputations would hold less attraction to him if done in a medical setting. It seems he enjoys the DIY aspect of this quite a bit.
It seems to me he’s just lucky he hasn’t gone septic with any of these DIY amputations/infections.
It’s interesting that doctors will do gender reassignment surgery on people, including breast tissue removal and penectomy (sp?), but not voluntary amputation.
I wonder if the amputations would hold less attraction to him if done in a medical setting. It seems he enjoys the DIY aspect of this quite a bit.
Very Interesting. I’d never do it myself but when i was reading this article, my feet litterally started to hurt. Freaky :P.
Very Interesting. I’d never do it myself but when i was reading this article, my feet litterally started to hurt. Freaky :P.
Always interesting to know more about those diy amputations… Thanks to you both.
Always interesting to know more about those diy amputations… Thanks to you both.
What an amazing , interesting interview! Thankx Shannon.
I agree with those who say it’s wrong to hide this from his wife. I’m sure she is guite worried when he gets “sick” and has to have surgery. But then, how do you bring up the subject?
Concerning a finger or toe…perhaps…but this quite catastrophic mid-foot with plans for an above-knee?
It’s almost as if he’s in too deep to tell her.
At least he’s paying for this himself thru insurance and is taking on the responsibilities of the limitations of his “handicap”, and tho I would never consider amputation myself…I find his story fascinating. I DO think inducing infection especially with diabetes, is unpredictable and foolhardy. But I think he did it out of desperation. It’s not like he can just go in and electively have an amputation. You can change your sex surgically (yes, I know there is MUCH more involved than the mere surgery) but you cannot get your leg cut off no matter how much pre-surgical analysis and councelling you are willing to do beforehand.
The toe proceedure he is going to do with his right foot to get the proportion correct…I can somehow see that as a well thought-out modification where there is a visual appeal.
The mid-foot looks bad (to me) and I hope he gets his above-the-knee and has a tidy stump and is happy.
What an amazing , interesting interview! Thankx Shannon.
I agree with those who say it’s wrong to hide this from his wife. I’m sure she is guite worried when he gets “sick” and has to have surgery. But then, how do you bring up the subject?
Concerning a finger or toe…perhaps…but this quite catastrophic mid-foot with plans for an above-knee?
It’s almost as if he’s in too deep to tell her.
At least he’s paying for this himself thru insurance and is taking on the responsibilities of the limitations of his “handicap”, and tho I would never consider amputation myself…I find his story fascinating. I DO think inducing infection especially with diabetes, is unpredictable and foolhardy. But I think he did it out of desperation. It’s not like he can just go in and electively have an amputation. You can change your sex surgically (yes, I know there is MUCH more involved than the mere surgery) but you cannot get your leg cut off no matter how much pre-surgical analysis and councelling you are willing to do beforehand.
The toe proceedure he is going to do with his right foot to get the proportion correct…I can somehow see that as a well thought-out modification where there is a visual appeal.
The mid-foot looks bad (to me) and I hope he gets his above-the-knee and has a tidy stump and is happy.
Excellent interview. I think it is a little odd that his wife doesn’t know, you’d think there’d be some clues or something, but he’s doing it for himself, not others, so kudos to him for living his life how he wants. Thanks for posting this Shannon, I’ve been looking forward to it since you said you were doing it, when there were all the pictures posted. 🙂
Excellent interview. I think it is a little odd that his wife doesn’t know, you’d think there’d be some clues or something, but he’s doing it for himself, not others, so kudos to him for living his life how he wants. Thanks for posting this Shannon, I’ve been looking forward to it since you said you were doing it, when there were all the pictures posted. 🙂
@#66: That is because “the community” is A LOT larger and has grown to include those “fashion conscious” members who weren’t here in 1997. That’s part of the price to pay with everything that suddenly gets to be “in”. I don’t really consider myself part of it although I enjoy to engage in activities that most would label as ‘fringe’, too.
Im actually enjoying reading this discussion – there seems to be far less ‘kindergarten’ than with some other “modification or mutilation”- themed entries you published here in the past. Is that real or just due to more stringent moderation of comments?
@#66: That is because “the community” is A LOT larger and has grown to include those “fashion conscious” members who weren’t here in 1997. That’s part of the price to pay with everything that suddenly gets to be “in”. I don’t really consider myself part of it although I enjoy to engage in activities that most would label as ‘fringe’, too.
Im actually enjoying reading this discussion – there seems to be far less ‘kindergarten’ than with some other “modification or mutilation”- themed entries you published here in the past. Is that real or just due to more stringent moderation of comments?
I’m all for “live and let live”…but how about he gouge out his eyes then lets all talk about the disabled. [and my husband is blind…] To me this guy talks in circles..but that is “cool”…geeshhhh
I’m all for “live and let live”…but how about he gouge out his eyes then lets all talk about the disabled. [and my husband is blind…] To me this guy talks in circles..but that is “cool”…geeshhhh