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”
Re: his wife / keeping it a secret
I think he’s on the edge of telling her; he wants to come out. I see it sort of like coming out of the closet — people hide it from those closest to them for a long time… Longer than they should, but at the same time, it’s not an easy thing to reveal.
I’m sure he agrees it’s wrong to hide it, but it’s easier said than done to admit it, I’m sure. Hell, how many guys hide even minor stuff like the porn they download from their wives? (And as much as major is more important, I’m sure you agree that major is HARDER to tell).
Re: his wife / keeping it a secret
I think he’s on the edge of telling her; he wants to come out. I see it sort of like coming out of the closet — people hide it from those closest to them for a long time… Longer than they should, but at the same time, it’s not an easy thing to reveal.
I’m sure he agrees it’s wrong to hide it, but it’s easier said than done to admit it, I’m sure. Hell, how many guys hide even minor stuff like the porn they download from their wives? (And as much as major is more important, I’m sure you agree that major is HARDER to tell).
Bastian – The only comments I don’t put through moderation are first time posters that are overly hateful (ie. “this guy deserves to die”, etc.)… Other than that there’s no moderation.
Bastian – The only comments I don’t put through moderation are first time posters that are overly hateful (ie. “this guy deserves to die”, etc.)… Other than that there’s no moderation.
You know what, I read this article a few hours ago and have been digesting it ever since and all I could say is…if that’s what rocks your socks more power to you Leen.
Just come clean with the wife and hope she understands. That was one of the many things that stood out
Its not my kink or my thing but who the fuck am I to judge?
You know what, I read this article a few hours ago and have been digesting it ever since and all I could say is…if that’s what rocks your socks more power to you Leen.
Just come clean with the wife and hope she understands. That was one of the many things that stood out
Its not my kink or my thing but who the fuck am I to judge?
The thing I find most interesting about amputation of any sort (and it seems like the subject might agree) is seeing how the amputee adapts to life without that particular body part. If I were to ever amputate a part of my body, it would be just to see how it would change day-to-day function.
So I wish the interview had a bit more of that. But perhaps losing half of one’s foot doesn’t have as big an impact as I’d think it would.
As far as the loaded “voluntary” question goes, do people who were forcibly tattooed consider it insulting that people would choose to have their bodies marked? And does that mean people with non-voluntary amputations are feeling insulted, or people with no amputations whatsoever feel that amputees might feel insulted?…
The thing I find most interesting about amputation of any sort (and it seems like the subject might agree) is seeing how the amputee adapts to life without that particular body part. If I were to ever amputate a part of my body, it would be just to see how it would change day-to-day function.
So I wish the interview had a bit more of that. But perhaps losing half of one’s foot doesn’t have as big an impact as I’d think it would.
As far as the loaded “voluntary” question goes, do people who were forcibly tattooed consider it insulting that people would choose to have their bodies marked? And does that mean people with non-voluntary amputations are feeling insulted, or people with no amputations whatsoever feel that amputees might feel insulted?…
LotN – Yeah, I don’t think that toes or even half a foot has a major impact in terms of function…
LotN – Yeah, I don’t think that toes or even half a foot has a major impact in terms of function…
I really enjoyed the interview. The guy seems very bright and knows exactly what he wants. If my tax dollars are helping him achieve his body mod goals then I’m all for it.
I really enjoyed the interview. The guy seems very bright and knows exactly what he wants. If my tax dollars are helping him achieve his body mod goals then I’m all for it.
Well, enough people have reiterated my feeling on voluntary amputation that I don’t feel like repeating myself, but…
YOU ARE LYING TO YOUR WIFE, LYING TO THE DOCTORS and most importantly LYING TO YOURSELF if you think (not what) but the WAY you are doing this is okay. Its a fetish, that’s obvious from several of the comments made in the interview-which is well and good. Sure, you have insurance-lucky you btw-but premiums are already high-higher still for people with chronic illnesses like diabetes. So thanks for doing your little part(or should I say doing away with little parts) to drive up the overall cost for the rest of us-its the attitude towards the insurance companies, not country/country/corporations sensitive-which is not cool. This is a selfish, dangerous act with real consequences for others, namely his wife and family. So he’s willing to deal with using prosthetics? Great! Is everyone ELSE in his life willing to deal with it? And inducing infection? Sorry but that is the height of stupidity in my mind. Sure it helps him along towards his goal but what if he doesn’t catch the infection before it advances towards septicemia? Antibiotics don’t always work well, especially in people with the poor circulation often present with diabetes AND any doctor will tell you you can build up immunity to them, even in one prescription. just foolish. Now lets get the real issue-you have a wife and children. If something else does go wrong who will provide for them if one of your elective procedures becomes deadly? Your pension and death benefits? Again that is a system set up for unforseen death not a protective clause for yahoos with a amputation fetish/fixation. its not about what people think about those with amputations, voluntary or otherwise-I know several people who fall into both sides of that equation but in all cases they take personal responsibility for what they need to do and most importantly THEY TELL THEIR PARTNERS THE TRUTH. I have no respect for someone who is willing to lie at this level about something as important as this just so they can get what they want-not that he cares about what others think. Its just not cool. Thanks for the interview Shannon. Even though I don’t find his methods acceptable I still enjoy learning more about this type of body modification.
Well, enough people have reiterated my feeling on voluntary amputation that I don’t feel like repeating myself, but…
YOU ARE LYING TO YOUR WIFE, LYING TO THE DOCTORS and most importantly LYING TO YOURSELF if you think (not what) but the WAY you are doing this is okay. Its a fetish, that’s obvious from several of the comments made in the interview-which is well and good. Sure, you have insurance-lucky you btw-but premiums are already high-higher still for people with chronic illnesses like diabetes. So thanks for doing your little part(or should I say doing away with little parts) to drive up the overall cost for the rest of us-its the attitude towards the insurance companies, not country/country/corporations sensitive-which is not cool. This is a selfish, dangerous act with real consequences for others, namely his wife and family. So he’s willing to deal with using prosthetics? Great! Is everyone ELSE in his life willing to deal with it? And inducing infection? Sorry but that is the height of stupidity in my mind. Sure it helps him along towards his goal but what if he doesn’t catch the infection before it advances towards septicemia? Antibiotics don’t always work well, especially in people with the poor circulation often present with diabetes AND any doctor will tell you you can build up immunity to them, even in one prescription. just foolish. Now lets get the real issue-you have a wife and children. If something else does go wrong who will provide for them if one of your elective procedures becomes deadly? Your pension and death benefits? Again that is a system set up for unforseen death not a protective clause for yahoos with a amputation fetish/fixation. its not about what people think about those with amputations, voluntary or otherwise-I know several people who fall into both sides of that equation but in all cases they take personal responsibility for what they need to do and most importantly THEY TELL THEIR PARTNERS THE TRUTH. I have no respect for someone who is willing to lie at this level about something as important as this just so they can get what they want-not that he cares about what others think. Its just not cool. Thanks for the interview Shannon. Even though I don’t find his methods acceptable I still enjoy learning more about this type of body modification.
I find all of this very, very interesting.
I have always known what my body should/will look like. Scarification, tattooing, piercing and implanting are my modes of meeting that self-image. I can not deny my self-image, weather future or now a part of my skin, any more than I can deny the need to breathe.
When Leen speaks about his amputations, his words are familiar. It is wrong that he has not told his wife, but like Shannon, I think that he is on the verge. Remember, he has to first come to terms with what he has done and why, before he can help anyone else understand. From what I have read, he seems to have hit that last lock, before the windows open and the truth streams out.
Good luck to him.
I find all of this very, very interesting.
I have always known what my body should/will look like. Scarification, tattooing, piercing and implanting are my modes of meeting that self-image. I can not deny my self-image, weather future or now a part of my skin, any more than I can deny the need to breathe.
When Leen speaks about his amputations, his words are familiar. It is wrong that he has not told his wife, but like Shannon, I think that he is on the verge. Remember, he has to first come to terms with what he has done and why, before he can help anyone else understand. From what I have read, he seems to have hit that last lock, before the windows open and the truth streams out.
Good luck to him.
Yeah, amputations, beyond my comfort zone. His life, his body. He can have his fun. Here’s what gets me the absolute most:
A partial penectomy without consulting his wife? That gets me more than the not telling the wife it’s all voluntary–consulting her before attempting that. I don’t know about their personal life, but I’d have a thing or two to say if my SO wanted one.
Beyond that, it’s very Freudian. (I’ve been at university too long.)
Yeah, amputations, beyond my comfort zone. His life, his body. He can have his fun. Here’s what gets me the absolute most:
A partial penectomy without consulting his wife? That gets me more than the not telling the wife it’s all voluntary–consulting her before attempting that. I don’t know about their personal life, but I’d have a thing or two to say if my SO wanted one.
Beyond that, it’s very Freudian. (I’ve been at university too long.)
I’m really quite fine with his self-amputations, really. I find it pretty disgusting that he’s not being honest with his wife, and I’m very mildly bothered that he’s using his health care provider (and therefore everyone else’s higher insurance premiums) to do this. To me that smacks of the same sort of cultural sense of entitlement that shoplifting for non-essentials has.
But mainly, I just can’t imagine doing this, or needing or wanting to do this, without being honest with the woman I’ve pledged to spend my life with. That’s just wrong.
I’m really quite fine with his self-amputations, really. I find it pretty disgusting that he’s not being honest with his wife, and I’m very mildly bothered that he’s using his health care provider (and therefore everyone else’s higher insurance premiums) to do this. To me that smacks of the same sort of cultural sense of entitlement that shoplifting for non-essentials has.
But mainly, I just can’t imagine doing this, or needing or wanting to do this, without being honest with the woman I’ve pledged to spend my life with. That’s just wrong.
Um, why is everyone assuming he has children?
Um, why is everyone assuming he has children?
“Everyone” is not.
Please don’t lump us all together.
“Everyone” is not.
Please don’t lump us all together.
I’ve thought about amputation a couple of times. It really doesn’t scare me as much as it used to. It’s pretty fascinating, but the infections are just GROSS!
I’ve thought about amputation a couple of times. It really doesn’t scare me as much as it used to. It’s pretty fascinating, but the infections are just GROSS!
Re:His medical costs are far less then those with mental disabilities.
People with mental disabilities have absolutely no control over what they are going through. Society should be available to help them, considering it is a ‘disease’.
This man chooses to do this. I don’t think that anyone should help him in any cost’s that go towards his amputations.It is purely choice..and society shouldn’t have to pay for such choices. They don’t pay for piercings, tattoos, ect.!
I mean, to each their own. I personally don’t support this, but if this makes him happy, then go for it. As long as others aren’t brought into it. He should be fully responsible for everything.
Also Shannon, I don’t think that people in the mod world should be pressured to view this as ‘okay’ or ‘right’. Yes, they should learn to deal with it, but they should still be able to speak their opinions without fearing people will look at them differently..or see them as being judgmental.
Re:His medical costs are far less then those with mental disabilities.
People with mental disabilities have absolutely no control over what they are going through. Society should be available to help them, considering it is a ‘disease’.
This man chooses to do this. I don’t think that anyone should help him in any cost’s that go towards his amputations.It is purely choice..and society shouldn’t have to pay for such choices. They don’t pay for piercings, tattoos, ect.!
I mean, to each their own. I personally don’t support this, but if this makes him happy, then go for it. As long as others aren’t brought into it. He should be fully responsible for everything.
Also Shannon, I don’t think that people in the mod world should be pressured to view this as ‘okay’ or ‘right’. Yes, they should learn to deal with it, but they should still be able to speak their opinions without fearing people will look at them differently..or see them as being judgmental.
You know Shannon, you’re right. I thought I had read it in the interview but after pages and pages of comment my mind probably scrambled the facts. Apologies. still, I stand by everything else I said, kids or no kids.
You know Shannon, you’re right. I thought I had read it in the interview but after pages and pages of comment my mind probably scrambled the facts. Apologies. still, I stand by everything else I said, kids or no kids.
I find it surprising that people have trouble understanding why he’s not out to his wife… it’s VERY common for people to hide things like this. Right or wrong, it’s quite normal, and I don’t think that outrage about the sanctity of marriage is particularly productive…
I find it surprising that people have trouble understanding why he’s not out to his wife… it’s VERY common for people to hide things like this. Right or wrong, it’s quite normal, and I don’t think that outrage about the sanctity of marriage is particularly productive…
the only part that shocked me was his wife didnt know! must be a damn good liar!
the only part that shocked me was his wife didnt know! must be a damn good liar!
starspring – Surely you must know guys that spent years hiding their sexuality from their family, friends, and spouses… They’re not bad people for it. It’s not easy coming out. You know this.
Is it right that people stay in the closet? No. But it doesn’t make them bad people. It just makes them people who are going through something difficult to reveal to those closest to them…
starspring – Surely you must know guys that spent years hiding their sexuality from their family, friends, and spouses… They’re not bad people for it. It’s not easy coming out. You know this.
Is it right that people stay in the closet? No. But it doesn’t make them bad people. It just makes them people who are going through something difficult to reveal to those closest to them…
Shannon-what I did wonder about was what SHE thinks of her husband being so “accident prone”. Then again marriage means nothing to me-of course I can’t legally get married. Maybe I should move to Africa-you seem to be able to do just about anything there. 😉
Shannon-what I did wonder about was what SHE thinks of her husband being so “accident prone”. Then again marriage means nothing to me-of course I can’t legally get married. Maybe I should move to Africa-you seem to be able to do just about anything there. 😉
I can understand, not agree with it. a closet is a closet.
I can understand, not agree with it. a closet is a closet.
I can’t say the general reactions have surprised me, but I did hope that a community constantly bemoaning their lack of acceptance in ‘mainstream’ society would be less judgmental towards someone on the fringes of their own community.
I don’t see a difference between the average person judging someone with piercings and tattoos, and someone with piercings and tattoos judging this person.
I can’t say the general reactions have surprised me, but I did hope that a community constantly bemoaning their lack of acceptance in ‘mainstream’ society would be less judgmental towards someone on the fringes of their own community.
I don’t see a difference between the average person judging someone with piercings and tattoos, and someone with piercings and tattoos judging this person.
#79 LotN says “As far as the loaded “voluntary” question goes, do people who were forcibly tattooed consider it insulting that people would choose to have their bodies marked? And does that mean people with non-voluntary amputations are feeling insulted, or people with no amputations whatsoever feel that amputees might feel insulted?…”
Well, I found it interesting that in the interview with the other voluntary amputee that was before this one (the guy who invented a lot of prosthetics, and had an above the knee amputation, as well as missing a hand IIRC), even that guy, who was very involved in the amputee community, mentioned that he “just didn’t tell them how he lost his limbs” or something to that effect. So apparently even he didn’t feel that all of the more mainstream amputee community would be exactly welcoming to find out.
As for the forced tattoos question – I’d bet you would find a lot of resistance if you had a tattoo that was the same as a recognizable forced tattoo. Say, a tattoo that was concentration-camp style ID numbers. You might have a good reason for it (tribute, etc come to mind pretty quick) but I wouldn’t be too surprised if there was some resistance, and particularly if you were of a similar age as survivors.
There are occasionally posts that complain of people getting certain cultural motifs without going through the usually accompanying ceremonies, etc, too.
Heck, if you go read through the posts on that “trans-abled” site linked from the other amputation article, there were some letters posted from people with congenital disabilities who were not welcoming at all.
Speaking of people who get sex-reassignment surgery, absolutely there are reactions that they “aren’t real women” when it comes to M-to-F. Remember the dust-up when some M-to-F wanted to attend the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival?
It’s not only voluntary amputees who get the reaction. Reading around all these things, it seems to me that there’s an element of someone trying to join a group that is viewed by society as disadvantaged. Those who are born into it or become members involuntarily, who have always been members, often DO resent people who had the choice not to bear the disadvantage, who are “horning in” on the support group, trying to become insiders. In the very mildest form, some of the reaction toward “hippies” as people playing with voluntary poverty are similar.
I can’t say that’s what happens with the reaction to voluntary amputations, but some of it does seem similar to me.
#79 LotN says “As far as the loaded “voluntary” question goes, do people who were forcibly tattooed consider it insulting that people would choose to have their bodies marked? And does that mean people with non-voluntary amputations are feeling insulted, or people with no amputations whatsoever feel that amputees might feel insulted?…”
Well, I found it interesting that in the interview with the other voluntary amputee that was before this one (the guy who invented a lot of prosthetics, and had an above the knee amputation, as well as missing a hand IIRC), even that guy, who was very involved in the amputee community, mentioned that he “just didn’t tell them how he lost his limbs” or something to that effect. So apparently even he didn’t feel that all of the more mainstream amputee community would be exactly welcoming to find out.
As for the forced tattoos question – I’d bet you would find a lot of resistance if you had a tattoo that was the same as a recognizable forced tattoo. Say, a tattoo that was concentration-camp style ID numbers. You might have a good reason for it (tribute, etc come to mind pretty quick) but I wouldn’t be too surprised if there was some resistance, and particularly if you were of a similar age as survivors.
There are occasionally posts that complain of people getting certain cultural motifs without going through the usually accompanying ceremonies, etc, too.
Heck, if you go read through the posts on that “trans-abled” site linked from the other amputation article, there were some letters posted from people with congenital disabilities who were not welcoming at all.
Speaking of people who get sex-reassignment surgery, absolutely there are reactions that they “aren’t real women” when it comes to M-to-F. Remember the dust-up when some M-to-F wanted to attend the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival?
It’s not only voluntary amputees who get the reaction. Reading around all these things, it seems to me that there’s an element of someone trying to join a group that is viewed by society as disadvantaged. Those who are born into it or become members involuntarily, who have always been members, often DO resent people who had the choice not to bear the disadvantage, who are “horning in” on the support group, trying to become insiders. In the very mildest form, some of the reaction toward “hippies” as people playing with voluntary poverty are similar.
I can’t say that’s what happens with the reaction to voluntary amputations, but some of it does seem similar to me.
For Leen- I hope you accomplish what you set out to do, and wish you the very best!
For Leen- I hope you accomplish what you set out to do, and wish you the very best!
as for comparing him not telling his wife to a gay person “coming out of the closet:” i don’t see it that way. if someone i care about is gay and he doesn’t tell me about it, no harm done. if someone i care about is constantly getting infections and having accidents and losing more and more body parts, harm is indeed done as that would cause me to worry myself crazy over this person. i mean, i fully understand why he’s hiding it and i understand how hard it must be for him to stand up and tell his wife about it, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s probably out of her mind with constant worry. sometimes you just have to suck it up and tell the truth. keeping this a secret shouldn’t be more important than his wife’s feelings, even if telling her would make things more difficult for him. i’m glad that he’s finally considering telling her and i hope he has the strength to stand up and do so.
as for comparing him not telling his wife to a gay person “coming out of the closet:” i don’t see it that way. if someone i care about is gay and he doesn’t tell me about it, no harm done. if someone i care about is constantly getting infections and having accidents and losing more and more body parts, harm is indeed done as that would cause me to worry myself crazy over this person. i mean, i fully understand why he’s hiding it and i understand how hard it must be for him to stand up and tell his wife about it, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s probably out of her mind with constant worry. sometimes you just have to suck it up and tell the truth. keeping this a secret shouldn’t be more important than his wife’s feelings, even if telling her would make things more difficult for him. i’m glad that he’s finally considering telling her and i hope he has the strength to stand up and do so.
crystallinectar – So you’re saying it’s harder on a woman in a marriage to be married to an amputee than a gay man? 😛 I’m not saying either should be hidden, but I think it’s a fair comparison.
crystallinectar – So you’re saying it’s harder on a woman in a marriage to be married to an amputee than a gay man? 😛 I’m not saying either should be hidden, but I think it’s a fair comparison.