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”
173 – Not all voluntary amputees are trying to get infections, either. Infection is a risk of any body modification. So to say that voluntary amputees should pay all of their own medical bills (even those that arise unintentionally) is just like saying that all people who partake in ANY form of body modification should have to pay their own medical bills as well, whether they intentionally caused the problem or not.
173 – Not all voluntary amputees are trying to get infections, either. Infection is a risk of any body modification. So to say that voluntary amputees should pay all of their own medical bills (even those that arise unintentionally) is just like saying that all people who partake in ANY form of body modification should have to pay their own medical bills as well, whether they intentionally caused the problem or not.
#174 – Sure, but THIS guy clearly states he nurses along infections on purpose to force the doctors to amputate. It’s not hypothetical, here.
Even the people who choose cutting, if you’re talking above the knee amputation, the actual “mod” IS the cutting off of the leg, and that, in every case I’ve heard of, has involved actual qualified medical intervention – usually the person injures the leg to the point it needs amputation. Freezing, shotgun, whatever.
There are the few cases who paid foreign doctors to do the amputations outright (presumably out of pocket), granted. But I’ve not heard of anyone using a homemade guillotine for the big ones (fingers/toes, sure, but the real controversy I think is over the larger amputations).
Of course currently there isn’t (as far as I know) anywhere that will let you just pony up a cool $50K and they take your leg off from healthy scratch without you needing to shoot/freeze it first, so it’s not quite the same market situation.
#174 – Sure, but THIS guy clearly states he nurses along infections on purpose to force the doctors to amputate. It’s not hypothetical, here.
Even the people who choose cutting, if you’re talking above the knee amputation, the actual “mod” IS the cutting off of the leg, and that, in every case I’ve heard of, has involved actual qualified medical intervention – usually the person injures the leg to the point it needs amputation. Freezing, shotgun, whatever.
There are the few cases who paid foreign doctors to do the amputations outright (presumably out of pocket), granted. But I’ve not heard of anyone using a homemade guillotine for the big ones (fingers/toes, sure, but the real controversy I think is over the larger amputations).
Of course currently there isn’t (as far as I know) anywhere that will let you just pony up a cool $50K and they take your leg off from healthy scratch without you needing to shoot/freeze it first, so it’s not quite the same market situation.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME i have snakeeyes and a pa nipple and tats it takes all kinds to make the world go round but he is lying to the old lady and himself the man needs psy help
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME i have snakeeyes and a pa nipple and tats it takes all kinds to make the world go round but he is lying to the old lady and himself the man needs psy help
@176, I can respect that.
@176, I can respect that.
Corky –
I think you need to read all the previous posts to understand what i was saying.
And basically akibare put very well what my reply would be!
Corky –
I think you need to read all the previous posts to understand what i was saying.
And basically akibare put very well what my reply would be!
I’ve been planning two amputations (that would not interfere with my work, all you “burden on society” whiners) and I have to say that I’m fascinated by his method. I think I’d be too frightened to play around with infections; it seems too uncontrolled.
I’m wondering if there is a difference in ease of procedure between chisel/hammer vs. cut and stitch. He says the healing on a cut and stitch is faster- it seems like it would leave a cleaner result also.
I’m hoping to amp my pinkies at the base knuckles, without leaving any of the finger. I’d be too afraid of an infection spreading further in my hand for that to be any kind of choice for me- but I guess being diabetic makes it easier to explain away the foot work.
I can see why, too, he’d hide it from his wife. She might be a bit overwhelmed or repulsed. I’m lucky to have people in my own life who are supportive and are also involved in heavier mods, that won’t judge my decisions.
Thanks Shannon for the great article
I’ve been planning two amputations (that would not interfere with my work, all you “burden on society” whiners) and I have to say that I’m fascinated by his method. I think I’d be too frightened to play around with infections; it seems too uncontrolled.
I’m wondering if there is a difference in ease of procedure between chisel/hammer vs. cut and stitch. He says the healing on a cut and stitch is faster- it seems like it would leave a cleaner result also.
I’m hoping to amp my pinkies at the base knuckles, without leaving any of the finger. I’d be too afraid of an infection spreading further in my hand for that to be any kind of choice for me- but I guess being diabetic makes it easier to explain away the foot work.
I can see why, too, he’d hide it from his wife. She might be a bit overwhelmed or repulsed. I’m lucky to have people in my own life who are supportive and are also involved in heavier mods, that won’t judge my decisions.
Thanks Shannon for the great article
Have I missed anything?
Have I missed anything?
I have to say that I am really surprised at the amount of people who think it is okay for him to lie to his wife. I am happy that he is doing something that makes him happy, that he is living the life he wants, that he is doing something that obviously makes us all think and pushes the boundaries of what makes us “whole”. But just because it is going to be difficult or she may reject him, doesn’t mean he gets to lie to her. She think his diabetes is eating away at him, so he can continue lying to her, but it is her choice to live with his desire or not, and he is taking that choice away from her. The argument that he is somehow mentally ill is subjective because what is considered mentally ill has been changing for years and decades. Part of modern body modification is to go outside the system to feel good and mutilation can be defined as anything that is done and shown here on this website. Yet again, lying to his wife, seems to me, that he is being true to himself at the expense of not being true to his wife.
I have to say that I am really surprised at the amount of people who think it is okay for him to lie to his wife. I am happy that he is doing something that makes him happy, that he is living the life he wants, that he is doing something that obviously makes us all think and pushes the boundaries of what makes us “whole”. But just because it is going to be difficult or she may reject him, doesn’t mean he gets to lie to her. She think his diabetes is eating away at him, so he can continue lying to her, but it is her choice to live with his desire or not, and he is taking that choice away from her. The argument that he is somehow mentally ill is subjective because what is considered mentally ill has been changing for years and decades. Part of modern body modification is to go outside the system to feel good and mutilation can be defined as anything that is done and shown here on this website. Yet again, lying to his wife, seems to me, that he is being true to himself at the expense of not being true to his wife.
Giles! What took you so long? 🙂 Haha.
Giles! What took you so long? 🙂 Haha.
Anonymous – Fine, so we’re only talking about those who intentionally go out and try to get infections (or otherwise intentionally put themselves in a position that would require professional medical aid). But how do you determine that? There isn’t really a way to determine if the infection was caused intentionally, happened randomly, or is related to an illness/condition that the amputee has (at least, not that I know of)..
Anonymous – Fine, so we’re only talking about those who intentionally go out and try to get infections (or otherwise intentionally put themselves in a position that would require professional medical aid). But how do you determine that? There isn’t really a way to determine if the infection was caused intentionally, happened randomly, or is related to an illness/condition that the amputee has (at least, not that I know of)..
#185 Corky – Sure, there’s no way to tell. I don’t think anyone here is saying that the hospital should determine someone made their own infection and then leave them in the street. Of course they will (and should) be treated.
However, the guy doing it knows, and he’s admitted what he’s doing (nursing along infections) so we here on the list are discussing his actual confessed behavior. He’s inducing injuries that require someone to help fix (or if you like, “finish”). That impacts other people. And so, some are looking askance at that, and not just saying “hey, that’s great!”
With any activity or resulting change, reactions to it will differ knowing the motives and history behind it. As I posted wayyyy upthread, even the guy in the last amputation story before this one, the guy who was very active in the amputee community and worked at developing prosthetics etc, admitted in his interview that he didn’t tell people how his amputations happened. I suspect he too realized that the reaction might not be entirely welcoming.
Heck, we do see a similar thing in the visible tattoo threads (mainly face tattoos, and not only here) that live long enough to generate the “how do you find a job?” discussion. One contingent will say “I should be free to express myself, it’s discrimination to not hire me[1]” and always there are people (even tattooed people) who point out that “what you did is voluntary, so you can’t expect protection for it, you made your bed so lie in it.” If you had some huge birthmark, that’s one thing, but if you tattooed one on, even some identical looking thing, the reaction becomes VERY different.
[1] not to say, of course, that people with facial tattoos don’t have jobs, but I think it’s a bit naive to think that the tattoos don’t make the job search harder in some areas, particularly for people just starting out. Hence the inevitable discussion.
#185 Corky – Sure, there’s no way to tell. I don’t think anyone here is saying that the hospital should determine someone made their own infection and then leave them in the street. Of course they will (and should) be treated.
However, the guy doing it knows, and he’s admitted what he’s doing (nursing along infections) so we here on the list are discussing his actual confessed behavior. He’s inducing injuries that require someone to help fix (or if you like, “finish”). That impacts other people. And so, some are looking askance at that, and not just saying “hey, that’s great!”
With any activity or resulting change, reactions to it will differ knowing the motives and history behind it. As I posted wayyyy upthread, even the guy in the last amputation story before this one, the guy who was very active in the amputee community and worked at developing prosthetics etc, admitted in his interview that he didn’t tell people how his amputations happened. I suspect he too realized that the reaction might not be entirely welcoming.
Heck, we do see a similar thing in the visible tattoo threads (mainly face tattoos, and not only here) that live long enough to generate the “how do you find a job?” discussion. One contingent will say “I should be free to express myself, it’s discrimination to not hire me[1]” and always there are people (even tattooed people) who point out that “what you did is voluntary, so you can’t expect protection for it, you made your bed so lie in it.” If you had some huge birthmark, that’s one thing, but if you tattooed one on, even some identical looking thing, the reaction becomes VERY different.
[1] not to say, of course, that people with facial tattoos don’t have jobs, but I think it’s a bit naive to think that the tattoos don’t make the job search harder in some areas, particularly for people just starting out. Hence the inevitable discussion.
I don’t like the looks of it, personally, but to each their own.
And about the whole “burden to society” thing, I don’t know about everyone else, but as someone with (not even a lot of) tattoos and visible piercings, I’ve been judged and presumed to be just the same; a lot of people assume that because I’m tattooed, pierced, whatever, that I’m probably a deadbeat who can’t support herself and relies on welfare or whatever which is completely untrue. I think it’s pretty wack to say that this guy is going to become a burden just because of his modification decisions. They make him happy, and I think that is a good start to becoming a more productive citizen, “disabled” or not, fuck. So whatever, I don’t really dig amputation aesthetically but who the fuck am I to say what people should or shouldn’t do to themselves?
I don’t like the looks of it, personally, but to each their own.
And about the whole “burden to society” thing, I don’t know about everyone else, but as someone with (not even a lot of) tattoos and visible piercings, I’ve been judged and presumed to be just the same; a lot of people assume that because I’m tattooed, pierced, whatever, that I’m probably a deadbeat who can’t support herself and relies on welfare or whatever which is completely untrue. I think it’s pretty wack to say that this guy is going to become a burden just because of his modification decisions. They make him happy, and I think that is a good start to becoming a more productive citizen, “disabled” or not, fuck. So whatever, I don’t really dig amputation aesthetically but who the fuck am I to say what people should or shouldn’t do to themselves?
Shannon, sometimes I feel like you are the only sane one among us! At least you are often the most logical. Perhaps you should be a therapist or counsellor. Thanks for keeping us on track.
Shannon, sometimes I feel like you are the only sane one among us! At least you are often the most logical. Perhaps you should be a therapist or counsellor. Thanks for keeping us on track.
chillinvillain (and others), the “burden to society” issue is not (only) about people rendering themselves unable to support themselves. In terms of self-amputation, it’s also about people choosing to cause themselves to have to rely on the larger society and the medical system, even in part, because of their voluntary amputations. While this may not happen in all cases — if someone removes a single toe, for example, it’s unlikely to render them either unable to work or much of a drain on the medical system — but when people begin removing major limbs, who’s going to pay for the prostheses and other devices they’ll then need to function normally? In this guy’s case, who pays for the medical treatment he needs when he induces infection in order to get his bits amputated? Should voluntary amputees be allowed to access limited resources intended for the disabled? In some places, handicapped people are eligible for free parking, free camping, support from various organizations, and so on; should voluntary amputees also be eligible for these scant resources?
chillinvillain (and others), the “burden to society” issue is not (only) about people rendering themselves unable to support themselves. In terms of self-amputation, it’s also about people choosing to cause themselves to have to rely on the larger society and the medical system, even in part, because of their voluntary amputations. While this may not happen in all cases — if someone removes a single toe, for example, it’s unlikely to render them either unable to work or much of a drain on the medical system — but when people begin removing major limbs, who’s going to pay for the prostheses and other devices they’ll then need to function normally? In this guy’s case, who pays for the medical treatment he needs when he induces infection in order to get his bits amputated? Should voluntary amputees be allowed to access limited resources intended for the disabled? In some places, handicapped people are eligible for free parking, free camping, support from various organizations, and so on; should voluntary amputees also be eligible for these scant resources?
Exploding boy- I have said this before in this chain of comments. you asked “who’s going to pay for he prosthesis..” As an amputee (from birth) i know this answer from experience. Unless he has amazing insurance, he will be paying for them. Like i said before I cant beguin to add up how much money me and my parents have spent on prosthetics. Insurance barely covers prosthetics. Free parking and Free camping? thats really going to cost taxpayers money. You know handicapped parking permits dont give you free parking, just give you a closer spot right?
Exploding boy- I have said this before in this chain of comments. you asked “who’s going to pay for he prosthesis..” As an amputee (from birth) i know this answer from experience. Unless he has amazing insurance, he will be paying for them. Like i said before I cant beguin to add up how much money me and my parents have spent on prosthetics. Insurance barely covers prosthetics. Free parking and Free camping? thats really going to cost taxpayers money. You know handicapped parking permits dont give you free parking, just give you a closer spot right?
exploding bitch- how fucking dare you? the guy doesn’t give a flying fuck about bullshit parking spaces. i said it before when i said my father has diabetic neuropothy, in most cases with that, people get their toes, fingers, and even their feet amputated. the guy who does it for fun doesn’t always want the fucking parking spot you asshole. he does it to make himself feel more complete. is that so fucking wrong with you? what kind of fucking mods do you have? huh? you ever cause yourself severe pain just because it makes you feel better? so what if he wants to cut off his fucking toes, feet or a fucking leg. let the son of a bitch do it. let him cut off his nuts if he wants to. that doesn’t mean he wants all that bullshit that comes along with being disabled? do you know what he does for a living? does that mean he wouldn’t enjoy life that much more? drop the fucking “burden to society” bullshit and worry about your own god damn pathetic existance like we all do and be happy that there are people in this world brave enough to make a difference of some sort to make them happy, while the rest of us struggle just to try and find who the real “me” is.
exploding bitch- how fucking dare you? the guy doesn’t give a flying fuck about bullshit parking spaces. i said it before when i said my father has diabetic neuropothy, in most cases with that, people get their toes, fingers, and even their feet amputated. the guy who does it for fun doesn’t always want the fucking parking spot you asshole. he does it to make himself feel more complete. is that so fucking wrong with you? what kind of fucking mods do you have? huh? you ever cause yourself severe pain just because it makes you feel better? so what if he wants to cut off his fucking toes, feet or a fucking leg. let the son of a bitch do it. let him cut off his nuts if he wants to. that doesn’t mean he wants all that bullshit that comes along with being disabled? do you know what he does for a living? does that mean he wouldn’t enjoy life that much more? drop the fucking “burden to society” bullshit and worry about your own god damn pathetic existance like we all do and be happy that there are people in this world brave enough to make a difference of some sort to make them happy, while the rest of us struggle just to try and find who the real “me” is.
Noah Mattedson –
Er if he is making himself feel “more complete” at my expense then yeah i personally do have a problem with that. I dont see anyone paying for my tattoos or piercings to make me feel better about myself and make myself happy. And that is me worrying about my own “god damn pathetic existance.”
Why go into a rant whenever someone makes a perfectly intelligent contribution to a discussion, just because they are not saying “yeah thats great!” God “how fucking dare they” have an alternative opinion. Whatever happened to freedom of speech eh? I dont see how being insulting is particuarly helpful, and it sure as hell doesnt help your argument.
Noah Mattedson –
Er if he is making himself feel “more complete” at my expense then yeah i personally do have a problem with that. I dont see anyone paying for my tattoos or piercings to make me feel better about myself and make myself happy. And that is me worrying about my own “god damn pathetic existance.”
Why go into a rant whenever someone makes a perfectly intelligent contribution to a discussion, just because they are not saying “yeah thats great!” God “how fucking dare they” have an alternative opinion. Whatever happened to freedom of speech eh? I dont see how being insulting is particuarly helpful, and it sure as hell doesnt help your argument.
OK, I totally realized that by burden to society that was what you and many others were suggesting, but my point remains, seriously!
I don’t know what country you live in but in a lot of countries “extras” like prostheses and camps, and whatever are NOT covered by taxes and government funding, as Shane wrote, and I’m sure that he’d probably know. Not only that but from the article, it seems that a large part of the appeal is to have a part-leg hangin’ out and dangling so I personally would doubt that he would end up wearing a prosthesis… I would guess that that would defeat the purpose!
Besides there are TONS, and TONS and TONS of diseases and medical conditions that are brought on by behaviour, are we to start denying basic medical services to people who smoke, drink, do drugs, participate in extreme sports, etc., etc., etc.? Where can the line be drawn on “self-induced” injuries if that is your beef?
OK, I totally realized that by burden to society that was what you and many others were suggesting, but my point remains, seriously!
I don’t know what country you live in but in a lot of countries “extras” like prostheses and camps, and whatever are NOT covered by taxes and government funding, as Shane wrote, and I’m sure that he’d probably know. Not only that but from the article, it seems that a large part of the appeal is to have a part-leg hangin’ out and dangling so I personally would doubt that he would end up wearing a prosthesis… I would guess that that would defeat the purpose!
Besides there are TONS, and TONS and TONS of diseases and medical conditions that are brought on by behaviour, are we to start denying basic medical services to people who smoke, drink, do drugs, participate in extreme sports, etc., etc., etc.? Where can the line be drawn on “self-induced” injuries if that is your beef?
(by “you”, of course I meant Exploding Boy 🙂 )
(by “you”, of course I meant Exploding Boy 🙂 )
Shane: your viewpoint seems strictly American. I can assure you that in other places the types of resources I’ve described most certainly do exist. Where you are you may have to pay for all your equipment out of pocket; in other places people do not. While what government medical plans provide is often not great equipment, it’s equipment nonetheless. And yes, in some places a handicapped placard (or plates) means free parking. And my point with these and other other resources is not only the cost to the larger society, although there IS a cost, but the scarcity.
chillinvillain, I wouldn’t exactly say it’s a beef, but it is interesting to me, and I think it’s a concern. It’s all wrapped up in the question of whether amputation is to be considered body modification. If it IS, then it hardly seems reasonable to ask anyone else to pay for it. And if self-amputation is pathological, then by all means, people need treatment and resources. But at that point we’re no longer talking about voluntary body modification, but about illness.
Shane: your viewpoint seems strictly American. I can assure you that in other places the types of resources I’ve described most certainly do exist. Where you are you may have to pay for all your equipment out of pocket; in other places people do not. While what government medical plans provide is often not great equipment, it’s equipment nonetheless. And yes, in some places a handicapped placard (or plates) means free parking. And my point with these and other other resources is not only the cost to the larger society, although there IS a cost, but the scarcity.
chillinvillain, I wouldn’t exactly say it’s a beef, but it is interesting to me, and I think it’s a concern. It’s all wrapped up in the question of whether amputation is to be considered body modification. If it IS, then it hardly seems reasonable to ask anyone else to pay for it. And if self-amputation is pathological, then by all means, people need treatment and resources. But at that point we’re no longer talking about voluntary body modification, but about illness.
I definitely think it’s an interesting topic as well..
The thing is, though, that I don’t really think that a lot of voluntary amputees have a choice about just doing it themselves and/or inducing infection etc., so that a doctor will chop it off for them because as was mentioned before you can’t just walk into a doctor’s office with a healthy leg and be like, hey can you get rid of this for me?, no matter what kind of money you have. I’m sure if the option was there, that some people (who have the means, of course) would prefer to take a strictly medical route in that they’d be putting their life at far, far less risk. But the option isn’t there. So… body mod or pathology, if someone wants to amputate to the point that they DO IT, it’s not as if there is a way for them to pay out of pocket or choose to not “burden society”, to use other people’s terminology.
I also realize after more reading that the point was already made about other ‘self-induced’ things that are covered and I really agree with that stuff, I mean the decision is still there and it’s much more widespread than voluntary amputees are, let’s be realistic. But does that mean that smokers and alcoholics and the obese should be fucked over? I don’t think so, because you know, they’re people. And this dude is a person. I don’t mind paying taxes for people to have access to health and life. I know that a lot of the money goes towards people who did bad stuff to themselves and whatever, if you value human life (if you don’t, i don’t know what to tell you hah) then all human life should have equal value regardless of how that human chooses to treat themselves? That’s how I look at it anyways.
I definitely think it’s an interesting topic as well..
The thing is, though, that I don’t really think that a lot of voluntary amputees have a choice about just doing it themselves and/or inducing infection etc., so that a doctor will chop it off for them because as was mentioned before you can’t just walk into a doctor’s office with a healthy leg and be like, hey can you get rid of this for me?, no matter what kind of money you have. I’m sure if the option was there, that some people (who have the means, of course) would prefer to take a strictly medical route in that they’d be putting their life at far, far less risk. But the option isn’t there. So… body mod or pathology, if someone wants to amputate to the point that they DO IT, it’s not as if there is a way for them to pay out of pocket or choose to not “burden society”, to use other people’s terminology.
I also realize after more reading that the point was already made about other ‘self-induced’ things that are covered and I really agree with that stuff, I mean the decision is still there and it’s much more widespread than voluntary amputees are, let’s be realistic. But does that mean that smokers and alcoholics and the obese should be fucked over? I don’t think so, because you know, they’re people. And this dude is a person. I don’t mind paying taxes for people to have access to health and life. I know that a lot of the money goes towards people who did bad stuff to themselves and whatever, if you value human life (if you don’t, i don’t know what to tell you hah) then all human life should have equal value regardless of how that human chooses to treat themselves? That’s how I look at it anyways.
as long as he documents everything, its an interesting contribution to both biological and psychological, not to mention sociological knowledge.
as long as he documents everything, its an interesting contribution to both biological and psychological, not to mention sociological knowledge.
Exploding Boy- even in countries that have universal healthcare, dont cover top models of prosthetics, just the basic. So if he wanted on that was comfortable and useful chances are he would be paying out of pocket. Trust me, there is a reason you dont see every amputee in canada or europe wearing $40,000 prosthetic legs, like the model C-Leg. For the most part the healthcare and coverage is the same as in the US. If countries did that, trust me we wouldnt be living in the US. Trust me, there is a reason you see amputees on crutches in places that have universal healthcare. Just because they provide it doesnt make it useful. In some cases no prosthetic is better than one. Basic/cheap prosthetics can do a lot of damage to a stump. The comparative cost between free parking and free camping is nothing compared to other costs caused by things you do every day, money you cost the city when you drop a piece of trash, pollution from driving a car, etc.
And you say my view is strictly American, but if i’m not mistaken, this guy is from South Africa and they have a private healthcare system like they do in the US.
Exploding Boy- even in countries that have universal healthcare, dont cover top models of prosthetics, just the basic. So if he wanted on that was comfortable and useful chances are he would be paying out of pocket. Trust me, there is a reason you dont see every amputee in canada or europe wearing $40,000 prosthetic legs, like the model C-Leg. For the most part the healthcare and coverage is the same as in the US. If countries did that, trust me we wouldnt be living in the US. Trust me, there is a reason you see amputees on crutches in places that have universal healthcare. Just because they provide it doesnt make it useful. In some cases no prosthetic is better than one. Basic/cheap prosthetics can do a lot of damage to a stump. The comparative cost between free parking and free camping is nothing compared to other costs caused by things you do every day, money you cost the city when you drop a piece of trash, pollution from driving a car, etc.
And you say my view is strictly American, but if i’m not mistaken, this guy is from South Africa and they have a private healthcare system like they do in the US.
damn, boy just got powned.
damn, boy just got powned.
Yes, Shane, that’s what I said.
But you’re missing the point. Why should someone who is (as some people are stating) engaging in body modification be entitled to ANY of the scant resources most countries allocate for people who are disabled?
I take chillinvillain’s point above about voluntary amputees often having no other choice since even those who are willing to pay for their amputations don’t generally have the option of going the medical route. But they DO have the option of not amputating, just like people have the option of not tattooing or piercing themselves. If it’s a body modification, that is.
Think about how many thousands of dollars a finger or toe amputation costs. Or a major limb. Not to mention the cost of treating a serious infection. Is it possible that resources (ambulances; doctors’ time; medication; equipment) that have gone to treating people who’ve intentionally induced life-threatening conditions in themselves in order to get a desired “modification” have then not been available to someone who needed them for real health reasons?
The flip side of the “it’s my body and I’ll do with it what I want” coin is “and I’ll take full responsibility for what I do.”
Finally, it would be very difficult to argue that someone who would purposely endanger their life by inducing a serious infection to acheive a certain look isn’t suffering from some pathology.
Yes, Shane, that’s what I said.
But you’re missing the point. Why should someone who is (as some people are stating) engaging in body modification be entitled to ANY of the scant resources most countries allocate for people who are disabled?
I take chillinvillain’s point above about voluntary amputees often having no other choice since even those who are willing to pay for their amputations don’t generally have the option of going the medical route. But they DO have the option of not amputating, just like people have the option of not tattooing or piercing themselves. If it’s a body modification, that is.
Think about how many thousands of dollars a finger or toe amputation costs. Or a major limb. Not to mention the cost of treating a serious infection. Is it possible that resources (ambulances; doctors’ time; medication; equipment) that have gone to treating people who’ve intentionally induced life-threatening conditions in themselves in order to get a desired “modification” have then not been available to someone who needed them for real health reasons?
The flip side of the “it’s my body and I’ll do with it what I want” coin is “and I’ll take full responsibility for what I do.”
Finally, it would be very difficult to argue that someone who would purposely endanger their life by inducing a serious infection to acheive a certain look isn’t suffering from some pathology.