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!
Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News
- Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetryby JonathonOne of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
- Twelve Points to the Skyby JonathonThere’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
- Ontario SusCon 2025by JonathonIn March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
- Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezineby NefDear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
- BME Social Mediaby NefWord of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
- BMEShopby NefDespite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested. Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
Comments
472 responses to “Amputation Interview Posted”
I don’t understand why he doesn’t seem to have examined his own motivations at all. I am on an endless quest to understand EVERYTHING about myself, so just accepting a desire like that without any internal probing (any desire really) is anathematic to me.
I love that word.
Maybe he’s just come to terms with it without agonising – if so, good for him.
As to people who moan about him doing this to himself when other amputees haven’t had the choice – that’s an invalid argument, pure and simple.
If some people don’t have a certain choice makes it all the more important that those who do have the choice don’t squander it.
If they gave the matter conscious consideration, mearly everyone would choose not to remove their limbs or digits. Those who confront the opportunity have blatantly put a lot more thought into it than the rest of us.
I don’t understand why he doesn’t seem to have examined his own motivations at all. I am on an endless quest to understand EVERYTHING about myself, so just accepting a desire like that without any internal probing (any desire really) is anathematic to me.
I love that word.
Maybe he’s just come to terms with it without agonising – if so, good for him.
As to people who moan about him doing this to himself when other amputees haven’t had the choice – that’s an invalid argument, pure and simple.
If some people don’t have a certain choice makes it all the more important that those who do have the choice don’t squander it.
If they gave the matter conscious consideration, mearly everyone would choose not to remove their limbs or digits. Those who confront the opportunity have blatantly put a lot more thought into it than the rest of us.
147, if you’re being serious, that raises a question beyond that of sound mind (which I think only came up once or twice.) If that’s the case, how is it any different from someone changing their sex (not gender, sex)? It’s changing your body to be how you feel it should have been from birth. Correcting a biological mistake.
147, if you’re being serious, that raises a question beyond that of sound mind (which I think only came up once or twice.) If that’s the case, how is it any different from someone changing their sex (not gender, sex)? It’s changing your body to be how you feel it should have been from birth. Correcting a biological mistake.
I disagree with the concept “amputation = sex change” since most transgendered people DO feel different from birth. Amputees don’t feel that way until they meet someone with an amputated limb, although, yes it may be at a young age. It’s a question of genetics versus imprinting young minds.
I disagree with the concept “amputation = sex change” since most transgendered people DO feel different from birth. Amputees don’t feel that way until they meet someone with an amputated limb, although, yes it may be at a young age. It’s a question of genetics versus imprinting young minds.
#152
Well, for starters the general view is that male and female are both functional wholes. You can be born male, or female, with roughly 50% odds and “normal” genetics.
With amputation, no matter how functional someone is while missing limbs, it’s still viewed as missing something from the standard template. Either something was removed later (accident, illness, etc) or something was “miscoded” from the start so the limbs never extended, but at VERY low odds.
#152
Well, for starters the general view is that male and female are both functional wholes. You can be born male, or female, with roughly 50% odds and “normal” genetics.
With amputation, no matter how functional someone is while missing limbs, it’s still viewed as missing something from the standard template. Either something was removed later (accident, illness, etc) or something was “miscoded” from the start so the limbs never extended, but at VERY low odds.
Shannon: re: animal tattooing, fine. You don’t support it. Ok, good.
But when it comes to issues of pathology, I think you’re being deliberately obtuse. I suppose this is a private website and you have no more obligation to respond to my questions than you do to asses the mental state of those you interview, but when you feature those people’s stories and images here, on a body modification website, it strikes me that you do have some responsibility.
So what is your position? Are you simply interested in (and want to feature here) anything that changes the appearance of the human body, whether entirely voluntary or pathological? Or is the approach largely aesthetic? Where is the line? What’s too extreme, and why?
Shannon: re: animal tattooing, fine. You don’t support it. Ok, good.
But when it comes to issues of pathology, I think you’re being deliberately obtuse. I suppose this is a private website and you have no more obligation to respond to my questions than you do to asses the mental state of those you interview, but when you feature those people’s stories and images here, on a body modification website, it strikes me that you do have some responsibility.
So what is your position? Are you simply interested in (and want to feature here) anything that changes the appearance of the human body, whether entirely voluntary or pathological? Or is the approach largely aesthetic? Where is the line? What’s too extreme, and why?
exploding boy: i’m not speaking for shannon here, but i think quite simply, you shouldn’t draw the line for anyone but yourself. it is ultimately this guy’s body, not mine, not yours, not shannon’s. i would never amputate anything, and there are a hell of a lot of other things i would never do to my own body that plenty of other people do on a regular basis. but what they do to their body, which is theirs to do with what they wish, is their responsibility, not mine. shannon in’t a psychologist. it isn’t his job to assess someone’s mental state, and even if he did attempt to, how could he know if he was right or not?
exploding boy: i’m not speaking for shannon here, but i think quite simply, you shouldn’t draw the line for anyone but yourself. it is ultimately this guy’s body, not mine, not yours, not shannon’s. i would never amputate anything, and there are a hell of a lot of other things i would never do to my own body that plenty of other people do on a regular basis. but what they do to their body, which is theirs to do with what they wish, is their responsibility, not mine. shannon in’t a psychologist. it isn’t his job to assess someone’s mental state, and even if he did attempt to, how could he know if he was right or not?
Jessica, there are plenty that feel that the path to gender reassignment is riddled with social/cultural influences (Bryan Tully wrote a excellent, if excruciatingly written, book on the subject). Just because they may ‘only’ be social/cultural influences that guide a person to a particular path or choice in life, doesn’t make this any less strong of an influence than a biological determinant – if you only account for the strength by recognizing that the person involved treats it like a biological determinant. So, just because Leen appears to have manifested his interests after birth doesn’t mean that these have less pull than a person who decides to go through gender reassignment. He simply does not have the psychiatric field on his side giving him guidance, which is somewhat of a mixed blessing. If he were required to go speak to a mental health professional before receiving amputation, as people seeking gender reassignment must, he could end up with rhetoric that would justify his choices to the outside world (i.e. My disassociation from my leg stems from sexual abuse, or divorce or [insert traumatic childhood event here]) and that wouldn’t necessarily be true to his own personal reasons that he holds now. So, not so good. However, he would also be required to tell his nearest and dearest about his choice before going in for surgery and this would solve problems for a lot of people here who have difficulties with the fact that he isn’t ‘out’. It would also, however, necessarily change the way others identify him – as mentally ill/somebody with a disorder. And this would change his relationship with others and most likely affect his quality of life.
Jessica, there are plenty that feel that the path to gender reassignment is riddled with social/cultural influences (Bryan Tully wrote a excellent, if excruciatingly written, book on the subject). Just because they may ‘only’ be social/cultural influences that guide a person to a particular path or choice in life, doesn’t make this any less strong of an influence than a biological determinant – if you only account for the strength by recognizing that the person involved treats it like a biological determinant. So, just because Leen appears to have manifested his interests after birth doesn’t mean that these have less pull than a person who decides to go through gender reassignment. He simply does not have the psychiatric field on his side giving him guidance, which is somewhat of a mixed blessing. If he were required to go speak to a mental health professional before receiving amputation, as people seeking gender reassignment must, he could end up with rhetoric that would justify his choices to the outside world (i.e. My disassociation from my leg stems from sexual abuse, or divorce or [insert traumatic childhood event here]) and that wouldn’t necessarily be true to his own personal reasons that he holds now. So, not so good. However, he would also be required to tell his nearest and dearest about his choice before going in for surgery and this would solve problems for a lot of people here who have difficulties with the fact that he isn’t ‘out’. It would also, however, necessarily change the way others identify him – as mentally ill/somebody with a disorder. And this would change his relationship with others and most likely affect his quality of life.
Shannon and Shane-
The argument that smokers and overweight people put more strain on the healthcare system is a poor one. Firstly, I personally think that if you smoke and later have health problems related to it you should fund your care and treatment yourself. Smokers know the dangers, if they choose to carry on and do it they should have to deal with the consequences. Same goes with overweight people.
Secondly, it seems to me that over the years this sort of modification is becoming more and more common. Therefore putting more and more strain on not only the healthcare system, but the whole infrustructure (for example people who chooe more extreme amputation so they can no longer work have to rely on benefits). And surely no matter how small the strain on the healthcare system every little counts? Do you know the exact figures? What about sick pay at work while this guy was in hospital for example? For more extreme amputees things like wheelchairs and other aids have to be considered?
If you add up the cost there is no way his (and most other voluntary amputees, depending on the extent on the amputation reflection on the cost to us the tax payer), private medical aid would cover it if you look at the bigger picture.
Once again, I think this man is very selfish and Id rather my money spent on people who did not choose to make themselves a burden, and have no choice in the health problems they have.
Shannon and Shane-
The argument that smokers and overweight people put more strain on the healthcare system is a poor one. Firstly, I personally think that if you smoke and later have health problems related to it you should fund your care and treatment yourself. Smokers know the dangers, if they choose to carry on and do it they should have to deal with the consequences. Same goes with overweight people.
Secondly, it seems to me that over the years this sort of modification is becoming more and more common. Therefore putting more and more strain on not only the healthcare system, but the whole infrustructure (for example people who chooe more extreme amputation so they can no longer work have to rely on benefits). And surely no matter how small the strain on the healthcare system every little counts? Do you know the exact figures? What about sick pay at work while this guy was in hospital for example? For more extreme amputees things like wheelchairs and other aids have to be considered?
If you add up the cost there is no way his (and most other voluntary amputees, depending on the extent on the amputation reflection on the cost to us the tax payer), private medical aid would cover it if you look at the bigger picture.
Once again, I think this man is very selfish and Id rather my money spent on people who did not choose to make themselves a burden, and have no choice in the health problems they have.
On one side i wonder if this has anything to do with body modification but if this makes this person feel better by doing this i wish him the best, it goes a bit too far for my taste but hey this is what bme is all about, being free to do what makes you feel good with your own body.
On one side i wonder if this has anything to do with body modification but if this makes this person feel better by doing this i wish him the best, it goes a bit too far for my taste but hey this is what bme is all about, being free to do what makes you feel good with your own body.
how about this:
to each their own
how about this:
to each their own
to anonymous- You said the arguement is invalid because smokers should cover their own medical bills later in life. But the thing is they dont. they use the healthcare system and insurance to pay. There are Millions of people who smoke. You want statistics of how many people die or health statistics for smokers? Just watch the Truth public service commercials on TV. And about half of this country is overwieght. There are maybe a few hundred voluntary amps if that. (and let me say, like i have said before, I dont nessesarily agree with what he is doing, but i can see why he feels he has too. back to what I was saying). Speaking from experience, Insurance only covers basic/primitive aids for amputees. Very basic wheelchairs, very primitive prosthetics. To get the better, more useful aids you have to spend money pretty much out of your own pocket for them. Incomparison, insurance pays out a lot more money and covers a lot more for people have smoked than people who have become amputees. I think smokers are a lot more selfish. Smoking is harmful to others. Also taxpayers dont pay sickpay, the company he works for would pay that.
and no, i dont know exact figures, but I know from experience, insurance doesnt cover much for amputees. I could have bought a luxury car for the amount of money me and my parents have spent on prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other supplies. I wish insurance covered as much as you think it does. I would love to be driving a sports car or a Hummer, haha. You tell me and shannon we dont have exact figures but you dont either, so how can you say our arguements are invalid/poor because of that? I am using personal experience as basis for my points. what are you using? e-mail me at [email protected] and I will send you accurate figures of how much we have spent because insurance barely covered it, and I can show you how little insurance covers.
to anonymous- You said the arguement is invalid because smokers should cover their own medical bills later in life. But the thing is they dont. they use the healthcare system and insurance to pay. There are Millions of people who smoke. You want statistics of how many people die or health statistics for smokers? Just watch the Truth public service commercials on TV. And about half of this country is overwieght. There are maybe a few hundred voluntary amps if that. (and let me say, like i have said before, I dont nessesarily agree with what he is doing, but i can see why he feels he has too. back to what I was saying). Speaking from experience, Insurance only covers basic/primitive aids for amputees. Very basic wheelchairs, very primitive prosthetics. To get the better, more useful aids you have to spend money pretty much out of your own pocket for them. Incomparison, insurance pays out a lot more money and covers a lot more for people have smoked than people who have become amputees. I think smokers are a lot more selfish. Smoking is harmful to others. Also taxpayers dont pay sickpay, the company he works for would pay that.
and no, i dont know exact figures, but I know from experience, insurance doesnt cover much for amputees. I could have bought a luxury car for the amount of money me and my parents have spent on prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other supplies. I wish insurance covered as much as you think it does. I would love to be driving a sports car or a Hummer, haha. You tell me and shannon we dont have exact figures but you dont either, so how can you say our arguements are invalid/poor because of that? I am using personal experience as basis for my points. what are you using? e-mail me at [email protected] and I will send you accurate figures of how much we have spent because insurance barely covered it, and I can show you how little insurance covers.
my friend Bill has a $30,000 Otto bock(?) leg with an internal self-correcting computer inside it. and no insurance other than medicare. and that was JUST the leg itself, his 4th one.
Anyone know how much a hummer costs?
my friend Bill has a $30,000 Otto bock(?) leg with an internal self-correcting computer inside it. and no insurance other than medicare. and that was JUST the leg itself, his 4th one.
Anyone know how much a hummer costs?
erm. i smoke and i have yet to pay a single cent in medical bills because of it. and beyond that, you can’t lump an entire group of people together. even if the total cost of all problems due from smoking is higher than the total cost of all problems due from self-amputations, what does that prove? i’m fairly certain it proves there are more smokers than amputees and nothing else. break it down by average cost per person and then get back to me on that.
i’m not trying to invalidate amputation as body mod as i think i’ve made clear from my other posts, but attacking one thing to defend another is not the right way to do it.
and as for those Truth commercials. don’t make me vomit. those things are horrible. it is not “big tobacco’s” fault i smoke and i know damn well i could get cancer and i do it anyway. imo, just as valid a choice as someone chopping off their own toes.
erm. i smoke and i have yet to pay a single cent in medical bills because of it. and beyond that, you can’t lump an entire group of people together. even if the total cost of all problems due from smoking is higher than the total cost of all problems due from self-amputations, what does that prove? i’m fairly certain it proves there are more smokers than amputees and nothing else. break it down by average cost per person and then get back to me on that.
i’m not trying to invalidate amputation as body mod as i think i’ve made clear from my other posts, but attacking one thing to defend another is not the right way to do it.
and as for those Truth commercials. don’t make me vomit. those things are horrible. it is not “big tobacco’s” fault i smoke and i know damn well i could get cancer and i do it anyway. imo, just as valid a choice as someone chopping off their own toes.
crystallinectar- I’m not attacking smokers, hell i’ve smoked on occasion. I just brought that up because someone said that amputees put a strain on the healthcare system and that amps by choice cost even more, and being an amputee (from birth) I felt i had to respond. I was just pointing out there are other reasons healthcare premiums go up, and other things that put a strain on the healthcare system. I agree that it is your choice to smoke, and i’m not saying you shouldnt. You misunderstood my meaning. I was just saying health insurance covers things like treatment, home resperatory treatment, oxygen tanks and other stuff for smokers, but doesnt cover much for amputees.
Yea Starspring, I have a C-leg made by Hanger and it costs $40,000 per leg (i am missing both). Plus all the different legs I have had growing up, not to mention the running legs i used when i did track. Then there are little supplies for prosthetics that you need. It all adds up quickly. He doing well with the leg?
crystallinectar- I’m not attacking smokers, hell i’ve smoked on occasion. I just brought that up because someone said that amputees put a strain on the healthcare system and that amps by choice cost even more, and being an amputee (from birth) I felt i had to respond. I was just pointing out there are other reasons healthcare premiums go up, and other things that put a strain on the healthcare system. I agree that it is your choice to smoke, and i’m not saying you shouldnt. You misunderstood my meaning. I was just saying health insurance covers things like treatment, home resperatory treatment, oxygen tanks and other stuff for smokers, but doesnt cover much for amputees.
Yea Starspring, I have a C-leg made by Hanger and it costs $40,000 per leg (i am missing both). Plus all the different legs I have had growing up, not to mention the running legs i used when i did track. Then there are little supplies for prosthetics that you need. It all adds up quickly. He doing well with the leg?
Jessica and Akibear,
I don’t think we can say “from birth” since most people don’t have concepts of sex and gender till they reach a certain age and then we can’t consult with a baby about their views on sex.
And my statement was working off of the previous one that some people have a disorder where they feel like their lower limbs are “wrong” and need to be gotten rid of.
If we’re taking into account that sex is considered “whole,” we have to also understand that any concept of a “whole” person is a socially constructed concept. Some people say that another person makes them feel “whole,” does that mean that they are a burden to society till that happens? Some people say that they don’t feel “whole” in the body they came with. While some have no problems functioning in a “normal” manner before they begin their transitions, many do have problems.
Jessica and Akibear,
I don’t think we can say “from birth” since most people don’t have concepts of sex and gender till they reach a certain age and then we can’t consult with a baby about their views on sex.
And my statement was working off of the previous one that some people have a disorder where they feel like their lower limbs are “wrong” and need to be gotten rid of.
If we’re taking into account that sex is considered “whole,” we have to also understand that any concept of a “whole” person is a socially constructed concept. Some people say that another person makes them feel “whole,” does that mean that they are a burden to society till that happens? Some people say that they don’t feel “whole” in the body they came with. While some have no problems functioning in a “normal” manner before they begin their transitions, many do have problems.
Just to be clear, I never said THIS guy was pathological, although I think that argument could probably be convincingly made. But some assessment surely needs to be made in larger terms: is voluntary amputation “body modification” or pathology. Many who’ve responded here aren’t quite sure.
Just to be clear, I never said THIS guy was pathological, although I think that argument could probably be convincingly made. But some assessment surely needs to be made in larger terms: is voluntary amputation “body modification” or pathology. Many who’ve responded here aren’t quite sure.
#165
When I say “whole,” I mean the standard template that the vast vast majority of humans have, encoded by standard genetics. As a species, we generally have two arms, two legs, each appendage with five digits on it. I’m saying nothing at all about the brain or the soul or identity feelings on the matter.
50% of us (more or less, of course there are variations) have a penis, 50% don’t. Standard.
To switch from male to female (or the reverse) you’re changing from one standard form to the other standard form. It’s still a very common form, one of the “normal” forms (by odds). And, some things are removed, and some things are added.
Lacking a limb is far more rare, and generally means something isn’t the standard template. Either you cut it off, or it never formed, either situation is pretty rare and outside “the norm.”
Something that is on the standard checklist for parts is missing. In that sense, it’s a negative (whitespace, whatever) change.
So, it doesn’t surprise me that people find that different or harder to understand than sex reassignment (although to be sure, you will find people very squicked out at the idea of losing parts involved in that too).
Having a body image that is missing some of the standard parts (if that’s what’s going on) is itself a fairly rare thing, it would seem – certainly as a percentage of the population. So, it’s not so surprising that people find it odd. In a strict odds sense, it’s not “normal.” (So, of course, it’s interesting, hence I read these threads…)
But, I mean “whole” in the sense of “possessing all of the standard parts that come with the species definition, and exist in the vast majority of standard cases.” Nothing more.
#165
When I say “whole,” I mean the standard template that the vast vast majority of humans have, encoded by standard genetics. As a species, we generally have two arms, two legs, each appendage with five digits on it. I’m saying nothing at all about the brain or the soul or identity feelings on the matter.
50% of us (more or less, of course there are variations) have a penis, 50% don’t. Standard.
To switch from male to female (or the reverse) you’re changing from one standard form to the other standard form. It’s still a very common form, one of the “normal” forms (by odds). And, some things are removed, and some things are added.
Lacking a limb is far more rare, and generally means something isn’t the standard template. Either you cut it off, or it never formed, either situation is pretty rare and outside “the norm.”
Something that is on the standard checklist for parts is missing. In that sense, it’s a negative (whitespace, whatever) change.
So, it doesn’t surprise me that people find that different or harder to understand than sex reassignment (although to be sure, you will find people very squicked out at the idea of losing parts involved in that too).
Having a body image that is missing some of the standard parts (if that’s what’s going on) is itself a fairly rare thing, it would seem – certainly as a percentage of the population. So, it’s not so surprising that people find it odd. In a strict odds sense, it’s not “normal.” (So, of course, it’s interesting, hence I read these threads…)
But, I mean “whole” in the sense of “possessing all of the standard parts that come with the species definition, and exist in the vast majority of standard cases.” Nothing more.
It’s an interesting related question though, some people ask if they have a baby born with more than the normal number of parts (usually fingers/toes, in polydactyly, which is a pretty common “error”), should they remove the extras?
There too, the “checklist” is off, only there are extra bits.
Personally I think I’d keep ‘em, particularly if they’re fully functional. But, I suppose it depends on the case.
It’s an interesting related question though, some people ask if they have a baby born with more than the normal number of parts (usually fingers/toes, in polydactyly, which is a pretty common “error”), should they remove the extras?
There too, the “checklist” is off, only there are extra bits.
Personally I think I’d keep ‘em, particularly if they’re fully functional. But, I suppose it depends on the case.
Shane and crystallinectar –
I think you have misunderstood me! I said that i believe if you smoke and later have health problems from it you SHOULD be made to pay for the treatment. I understand that they dont and I feel this is wrong, for the same reason I feel using taxpayers money for a voluntary amputation is wrong. The way I see it is its all about choice. If people choose to have amputatuions or choose to smoke, for example, then fine that is their choice, but why should my money go on their treatment? Whereas if it was someone who had no choice in their amputation or condition, I would gladly have money spent on them as they have not chosen to end up needing treatment.
I dont see anyone paying for my tattoos or piercings, why should I pay for this guy to modify himself? If he wants to do it whatever, its his body I have no problem with that. I just have a problem with paying for it.
Regarding costs and exact figures, I was not accussing you and shannon of not having them. I just asked if you did because I am interested to know just how much of my taxpayers money would be likely to be spent on this guy. My point was that even if the cost was not a huge amount it all adds up. No matter how small a cost, its still money which im sure someone like yourself would benefit from by having improved prostetics, or even a hummer!
Shane and crystallinectar –
I think you have misunderstood me! I said that i believe if you smoke and later have health problems from it you SHOULD be made to pay for the treatment. I understand that they dont and I feel this is wrong, for the same reason I feel using taxpayers money for a voluntary amputation is wrong. The way I see it is its all about choice. If people choose to have amputatuions or choose to smoke, for example, then fine that is their choice, but why should my money go on their treatment? Whereas if it was someone who had no choice in their amputation or condition, I would gladly have money spent on them as they have not chosen to end up needing treatment.
I dont see anyone paying for my tattoos or piercings, why should I pay for this guy to modify himself? If he wants to do it whatever, its his body I have no problem with that. I just have a problem with paying for it.
Regarding costs and exact figures, I was not accussing you and shannon of not having them. I just asked if you did because I am interested to know just how much of my taxpayers money would be likely to be spent on this guy. My point was that even if the cost was not a huge amount it all adds up. No matter how small a cost, its still money which im sure someone like yourself would benefit from by having improved prostetics, or even a hummer!
shannon, thank you for posting this. I used to have a bias against people who voluntarily amputated limbs/digits, I used to think they were “weird”. the interview gave me a better understanding of why people would choose to do amputation and yeah, I don’t think they’re horribly weird anymore. it is still unusual to me, but I suppose the general unmodded public feels the same way about tattoos/piercings. who are we to judge and discount other people’s personal preferrences and choices?
shannon, thank you for posting this. I used to have a bias against people who voluntarily amputated limbs/digits, I used to think they were “weird”. the interview gave me a better understanding of why people would choose to do amputation and yeah, I don’t think they’re horribly weird anymore. it is still unusual to me, but I suppose the general unmodded public feels the same way about tattoos/piercings. who are we to judge and discount other people’s personal preferrences and choices?
I’m a disabled man (I use a wheelchair) and I would never do something that cripples me more, I wouldn’t even amputate a toe even if I were a tetraplegic and wouldn’t be able to move them, but hey, that’s me, I’m someone who has gone to great lenghts to conserve a damaged tooth so I can have my 32 teeth. If he wants less parts and feels better with less he should be able to do whatever he pleases to his own body, the personal freedom is more important thing, a lot of people mutilate other persons bodies (parents giving circumcisions to their babies, for example) and they receive no backlash. I don’t think what he does is healthy, but that’s his business, not mine, although I think he should not hide his interest to his wife with the “accident” excuse.
I’m a disabled man (I use a wheelchair) and I would never do something that cripples me more, I wouldn’t even amputate a toe even if I were a tetraplegic and wouldn’t be able to move them, but hey, that’s me, I’m someone who has gone to great lenghts to conserve a damaged tooth so I can have my 32 teeth. If he wants less parts and feels better with less he should be able to do whatever he pleases to his own body, the personal freedom is more important thing, a lot of people mutilate other persons bodies (parents giving circumcisions to their babies, for example) and they receive no backlash. I don’t think what he does is healthy, but that’s his business, not mine, although I think he should not hide his interest to his wife with the “accident” excuse.
shane: my misunderstanding–i apologize. i haven’t slept in 3 days so you’ll have to forgive my incoherent rambling 🙂
anonymous: i agree to an extent, but i have to wonder–if you ever got a serious infection because of a piercing or tattoo, would you pay your medical bills out of pocket? what if you had if so, then good for you. if not, then i don’t think you have a leg to stand on (so to speak) with your claims.
shane: my misunderstanding–i apologize. i haven’t slept in 3 days so you’ll have to forgive my incoherent rambling 🙂
anonymous: i agree to an extent, but i have to wonder–if you ever got a serious infection because of a piercing or tattoo, would you pay your medical bills out of pocket? what if you had if so, then good for you. if not, then i don’t think you have a leg to stand on (so to speak) with your claims.
Okay first off an above knee amputation is properly called nowaday as a “transfemural amputation” it used to becalled an AKA for “above kinee amputation”. I know this first hand as I am a Left transfemoural amputee myself.
First off a transfemural amputation is a major life threatening procedure as the femural femural artery is cut you can bleed out in literaly seconds from this. Same applies for the Vena cava vien that returns the blod to the heart. Blodd clots area major risk after this surgery as the wound heals. Pahntom limb is a real thing and not a fun thing at all try sleeping with your nerves telling you your gone foot and leg is tucked under you and cramped up. Pahntom Pain and chronic pain are real issues with this as millions of nerves are cut and now are short circuted. I am on a chronic pain managment regeim to keep this under control. Uncontrolable muscle spams are all an issue where the stump due to nerves short cicuted flailes around with full one muscle contractions that you cannot stop until you are totally exhausted. Learning to walk again ona prosthetic is not an easy thing dedicate roughly one year just to therapy to learn again so you can function semi normaly again. Be prepared that even a simple task such as going to the bathroom is at best an akward thing using crutches to hoping you do not foul the brim where it rests in your perianal area with the leg on. Be prepared to get embaressed at airport check points where they have you remove your leg for inspection. Be prepared for other health problems such as reduced endurence and resitance to colds and infection. Be prepared for skin tissue breakdowns from friction and sweat in the socket.
Running FORGET IT, Swimming with ease FORGET IT, CLimbing over rough terrain FORGET IT, Hang gliding FORGET IT, Bike riding yes with a hand crank bile but be prepared to spend 4 grand on a bike, Dancing in clubs FORGET IT, these and many many more things you do now with ease are going to be gone forever with a Transfemural amputation.
Prosthetic limbs are not cheap mine a hydralic unit cost 37,000 dollars! I am lucky I have two good insurence plans so I only had to shell out 4 grand still a big chunk of cash for an item that you need replaced or modified on a regular basis sometimes twice in one year.
I doubt very much any carrier will cover you given you are doing this for non meidcal reasons and if you tell them otherwise this is fraud and subject to major jail time and or fines.
Becoming an amputee is not to be taken lightly on a whim for body modification. There is no going back EVER once it is done.
I wish the hell i had not had to have my leg removed life is hell without a reaL leg but for me it was my life or my leg.
Okay first off an above knee amputation is properly called nowaday as a “transfemural amputation” it used to becalled an AKA for “above kinee amputation”. I know this first hand as I am a Left transfemoural amputee myself.
First off a transfemural amputation is a major life threatening procedure as the femural femural artery is cut you can bleed out in literaly seconds from this. Same applies for the Vena cava vien that returns the blod to the heart. Blodd clots area major risk after this surgery as the wound heals. Pahntom limb is a real thing and not a fun thing at all try sleeping with your nerves telling you your gone foot and leg is tucked under you and cramped up. Pahntom Pain and chronic pain are real issues with this as millions of nerves are cut and now are short circuted. I am on a chronic pain managment regeim to keep this under control. Uncontrolable muscle spams are all an issue where the stump due to nerves short cicuted flailes around with full one muscle contractions that you cannot stop until you are totally exhausted. Learning to walk again ona prosthetic is not an easy thing dedicate roughly one year just to therapy to learn again so you can function semi normaly again. Be prepared that even a simple task such as going to the bathroom is at best an akward thing using crutches to hoping you do not foul the brim where it rests in your perianal area with the leg on. Be prepared to get embaressed at airport check points where they have you remove your leg for inspection. Be prepared for other health problems such as reduced endurence and resitance to colds and infection. Be prepared for skin tissue breakdowns from friction and sweat in the socket.
Running FORGET IT, Swimming with ease FORGET IT, CLimbing over rough terrain FORGET IT, Hang gliding FORGET IT, Bike riding yes with a hand crank bile but be prepared to spend 4 grand on a bike, Dancing in clubs FORGET IT, these and many many more things you do now with ease are going to be gone forever with a Transfemural amputation.
Prosthetic limbs are not cheap mine a hydralic unit cost 37,000 dollars! I am lucky I have two good insurence plans so I only had to shell out 4 grand still a big chunk of cash for an item that you need replaced or modified on a regular basis sometimes twice in one year.
I doubt very much any carrier will cover you given you are doing this for non meidcal reasons and if you tell them otherwise this is fraud and subject to major jail time and or fines.
Becoming an amputee is not to be taken lightly on a whim for body modification. There is no going back EVER once it is done.
I wish the hell i had not had to have my leg removed life is hell without a reaL leg but for me it was my life or my leg.
Oh yeah no offense Shane there is a big difference between you and I. You were born without your legs and for you using a prosthetic is almost second nature you have had all your life using them so to you running is instictual where as someone like me who in their 40′s loses a leg it is major challemge relearning things that you have been doing all your life.
Oh yeah no offense Shane there is a big difference between you and I. You were born without your legs and for you using a prosthetic is almost second nature you have had all your life using them so to you running is instictual where as someone like me who in their 40′s loses a leg it is major challemge relearning things that you have been doing all your life.
crystallinectar –
if i did not pay my medical bills out of pocket because of an infection, id say that was okay as i had not purposely gone out and chosen to get an infection. thats like saying you shouldnt offer to treatment to someone who fell over and broke a leg! however, if i had gone out of my way and rubbed my new piercing/tattoo to purposely get an infection (god knows why but hey, its an example!) then that would be wrong. i guess it all comes down to whether or not you make a concious decision or not.
crystallinectar –
if i did not pay my medical bills out of pocket because of an infection, id say that was okay as i had not purposely gone out and chosen to get an infection. thats like saying you shouldnt offer to treatment to someone who fell over and broke a leg! however, if i had gone out of my way and rubbed my new piercing/tattoo to purposely get an infection (god knows why but hey, its an example!) then that would be wrong. i guess it all comes down to whether or not you make a concious decision or not.