I have a lot of great interviews in the queue right now, from mild to wild, but I’m absolutely thrilled with the one that’s going up today, “One Hand Jason“, an interview which discusses Jason’s decision to amputate one of his hands in order to deal with what he had always perceived as a devastating birth defect — that is, being two-handed. Click through to read it now, and come on back here to comment (but please, read it before commenting).
Comments
260 responses to “One Hand Jason Interview Posted”
Mike – That’s an interesting question; I’m guessing psychological but now that you mention it, maybe it is a “wiring” issue.
Mike – That’s an interesting question; I’m guessing psychological but now that you mention it, maybe it is a “wiring” issue.
#42 moddoctor – The link isn’t working for me either.
#40 Giles – It’s interesting, in light of the quote from the original interview where Jason says:
“Other voluntary amps I’ve talked to are the same. We would do anything to avoid being “talked out of” or “cured” of our need to lose that part.”
almost as if wanting the image and reality to coincide, but only in the one direction, perhaps not thinking it could ever go the other way? Anyway for me that’s a quite intriguing part of the article.
As for the differences between BIID and GID, and some of the issues with encountering disabled (by accident or birth, etc) people who are very turned off by “wannabes” and the BIID discussions, there is an interesting post by a self-identified person with BIID from transabled.org (link pops) that bears thinking about, relevant to the image of “disability” or really what it means to want to voluntarily join any “disadvantaged” group.
I look forward to the other interviews here as well.
#42 moddoctor – The link isn’t working for me either.
#40 Giles – It’s interesting, in light of the quote from the original interview where Jason says:
“Other voluntary amps I’ve talked to are the same. We would do anything to avoid being “talked out of” or “cured” of our need to lose that part.”
almost as if wanting the image and reality to coincide, but only in the one direction, perhaps not thinking it could ever go the other way? Anyway for me that’s a quite intriguing part of the article.
As for the differences between BIID and GID, and some of the issues with encountering disabled (by accident or birth, etc) people who are very turned off by “wannabes” and the BIID discussions, there is an interesting post by a self-identified person with BIID from transabled.org (link pops) that bears thinking about, relevant to the image of “disability” or really what it means to want to voluntarily join any “disadvantaged” group.
I look forward to the other interviews here as well.
A very well put together interview, I enjoyed
I have often wondered about the voluntary amp community, the motivation behind the correction and it was nice to hear a first hand account instead of the usual scientific/medical/philosophical reasoning behind BIID
thank you for shariong this Jason and thank you for bringing it to us Shannon 🙂
oh, and #5…learn to spell you fool
A very well put together interview, I enjoyed
I have often wondered about the voluntary amp community, the motivation behind the correction and it was nice to hear a first hand account instead of the usual scientific/medical/philosophical reasoning behind BIID
thank you for shariong this Jason and thank you for bringing it to us Shannon 🙂
oh, and #5…learn to spell you fool
akibare – I read the “not wanting to be cured” part part as just being quite certain of the identity, in the same way as a homosexual would in general fight hard not to be “cured”, if a “cure” for homosexuality were made available.
akibare – I read the “not wanting to be cured” part part as just being quite certain of the identity, in the same way as a homosexual would in general fight hard not to be “cured”, if a “cure” for homosexuality were made available.
i dunno, there are a lot of times where we are proud of something, but dont want to risk scrutiny for it, for fear that others will indeed get the wrong view of it. is it wrong i dont know, is it normal to do, deffinitly. im sure everyone hs done it atleast once, and im sure he didnt ask people to raise money for it. im sure he does wish t tell people but im also sure that he loves his family friends and lover too much to fear rejection an disownment for revealing the truth. probably not the best way to go about it, but its done and over, water under the bridge and hes living life so no matter what anyone cries whistles and whines about, theres nothing you can do bout it, let it be
i dunno, there are a lot of times where we are proud of something, but dont want to risk scrutiny for it, for fear that others will indeed get the wrong view of it. is it wrong i dont know, is it normal to do, deffinitly. im sure everyone hs done it atleast once, and im sure he didnt ask people to raise money for it. im sure he does wish t tell people but im also sure that he loves his family friends and lover too much to fear rejection an disownment for revealing the truth. probably not the best way to go about it, but its done and over, water under the bridge and hes living life so no matter what anyone cries whistles and whines about, theres nothing you can do bout it, let it be
I usually try to be very open minded but I was disgusted by this interview. The people around him gave him their love and support and raised money based on a lie. He took the “easy way” out and did what would feel good to him right then and there instead of taking the hard road and actually working on his mental disorder. Just because he is happy with his decision now doesn’t mean he always will be.
I usually try to be very open minded but I was disgusted by this interview. The people around him gave him their love and support and raised money based on a lie. He took the “easy way” out and did what would feel good to him right then and there instead of taking the hard road and actually working on his mental disorder. Just because he is happy with his decision now doesn’t mean he always will be.
#Akibare – You are right, the desire to NOT be cured appears to be very strong, to the point where seeking a cure almost appears not to feature in many BIID lives at all.
One of the problems this causes too is that obtaining impartial information on successful ‘therapy’ cases takes a lot of searching. The main information on BIID comes from a small group who it appears have been let down by psychiatric methods. However delving deeper (during the last discussion) uncovered several very real examples of people who undertook therapy because of their condition and whilst not cured they certainly attained a more relaxed approach to their condition.
#Akibare – You are right, the desire to NOT be cured appears to be very strong, to the point where seeking a cure almost appears not to feature in many BIID lives at all.
One of the problems this causes too is that obtaining impartial information on successful ‘therapy’ cases takes a lot of searching. The main information on BIID comes from a small group who it appears have been let down by psychiatric methods. However delving deeper (during the last discussion) uncovered several very real examples of people who undertook therapy because of their condition and whilst not cured they certainly attained a more relaxed approach to their condition.
That’s really beautiful that he found happiness in a simple procedure.
We really need to get the medical community to offer this service, though. Doing it yourself is VERY dangerous.
That’s really beautiful that he found happiness in a simple procedure.
We really need to get the medical community to offer this service, though. Doing it yourself is VERY dangerous.
Up until now I didn’t even know there was a clinical term for the want of amputation, it is a big relief for me to hear that it’s been studied and accepted as something “real” in the medical world. I hope Jason will be free someday and feel safe enough to talk about his secret. All my luck to you.
Up until now I didn’t even know there was a clinical term for the want of amputation, it is a big relief for me to hear that it’s been studied and accepted as something “real” in the medical world. I hope Jason will be free someday and feel safe enough to talk about his secret. All my luck to you.
Ames – The people around him made that decision and there wasn’t anything reasonable that he could do about it that wouldn’t cause them a great deal of pain. Society’s difficulty in dealing with this issue — not his difficulty — force people to keep it in the closet. This is why we talked a bit about the guilt issues surrounding this. I also think it’s a little silly to call this “the easy way”.
Giles – Hypothetical question — if a cure for “wanting piercings” were offered, would you take it? Alternately, if you were gay, would you accept a “cure”? Both of these cures would of course statistically improve your life on many levels by keeping you away from behavior that’s “damaging”.
I think it’s difficult for people to accept the idea that they need to be cured of who they genuinely believe they are. I understand the argument that sometimes people believe they are things that are not fundamentally best for them, but that doesn’t change the subjective reality for them.
Ames – The people around him made that decision and there wasn’t anything reasonable that he could do about it that wouldn’t cause them a great deal of pain. Society’s difficulty in dealing with this issue — not his difficulty — force people to keep it in the closet. This is why we talked a bit about the guilt issues surrounding this. I also think it’s a little silly to call this “the easy way”.
Giles – Hypothetical question — if a cure for “wanting piercings” were offered, would you take it? Alternately, if you were gay, would you accept a “cure”? Both of these cures would of course statistically improve your life on many levels by keeping you away from behavior that’s “damaging”.
I think it’s difficult for people to accept the idea that they need to be cured of who they genuinely believe they are. I understand the argument that sometimes people believe they are things that are not fundamentally best for them, but that doesn’t change the subjective reality for them.
I met a girl in the 7th grade who became one of my best friends. The first time I went to her house I met her dog. He was absolutely adorable, he was part Corgi and had 3 legs. He’d been hit by a car several years earlier and had to have the leg amputated. When I expressed sympathy for the poor thing having only 3 legs, my friend said for me to not be sorry for him. Before, when he had 4 legs, he was clumsy and kept tripping over his ‘extra’ leg. As soon as he’d healed from the amputation, he was no longer falling down all the time and he seemed much happier.
I met a girl in the 7th grade who became one of my best friends. The first time I went to her house I met her dog. He was absolutely adorable, he was part Corgi and had 3 legs. He’d been hit by a car several years earlier and had to have the leg amputated. When I expressed sympathy for the poor thing having only 3 legs, my friend said for me to not be sorry for him. Before, when he had 4 legs, he was clumsy and kept tripping over his ‘extra’ leg. As soon as he’d healed from the amputation, he was no longer falling down all the time and he seemed much happier.
Being gay doesn’t really involve any action on the person’s part. Having BIID means there is a definite almost obsessive action that needs addressing, an action that could permanently disable you.
Being gay doesn’t really involve any action on the person’s part. Having BIID means there is a definite almost obsessive action that needs addressing, an action that could permanently disable you.
I can’t say that I understand this particular desire, to remove one’s limbs, but it sounds to me like Jason has made a very good recovery and is living a functional and meaningful life. I don’t think we have any right to interfere in that his choice hasn’t truly affected anyone but himself. I guess the only thing about it that bothers me is that I get squicked right out, thinking about the removal of such a large part of the body. I think about how incredibly hard it would be to do that to oneself. Ugh!
I can’t say that I understand this particular desire, to remove one’s limbs, but it sounds to me like Jason has made a very good recovery and is living a functional and meaningful life. I don’t think we have any right to interfere in that his choice hasn’t truly affected anyone but himself. I guess the only thing about it that bothers me is that I get squicked right out, thinking about the removal of such a large part of the body. I think about how incredibly hard it would be to do that to oneself. Ugh!
Giles – Being gay involves gay action 😛
Certainly one could argue that there have been time periods where gay sexuality was higher risk, to say nothing of the social risks due to bigotry.
Giles – Being gay involves gay action 😛
Certainly one could argue that there have been time periods where gay sexuality was higher risk, to say nothing of the social risks due to bigotry.
This is such a complicated issue, on one hand (pardon the pun) he was able to relieve his mental anguish and finally feel at home in his body but on the other hand he made life changing choices without the support of friends, family or a professional all the time knowing that something wasn’t quite right in his head.
I love body modification and although this case appears to be a mod on the surface (he modified his body to the way he thought it should be), it was done as the result of anxiety and anguish surrounding his hand. Most mods are not done because someone has obessive, intrusive thoughts that prevent them from living their daily lives. Its almost as if his mind was giving him no choice and in that type of situation a person needs to find professional help.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t have done it, perhaps it WAS the only cure.. but he’ll never know that and that guilt he feels probably isn’t going away any time soon.
This is such a complicated issue, on one hand (pardon the pun) he was able to relieve his mental anguish and finally feel at home in his body but on the other hand he made life changing choices without the support of friends, family or a professional all the time knowing that something wasn’t quite right in his head.
I love body modification and although this case appears to be a mod on the surface (he modified his body to the way he thought it should be), it was done as the result of anxiety and anguish surrounding his hand. Most mods are not done because someone has obessive, intrusive thoughts that prevent them from living their daily lives. Its almost as if his mind was giving him no choice and in that type of situation a person needs to find professional help.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t have done it, perhaps it WAS the only cure.. but he’ll never know that and that guilt he feels probably isn’t going away any time soon.
>Certainly one could argue that there have been time periods where gay sexuality was higher risk, to say nothing of the social risks due to bigotry.
Well yes but that is really a societal problem than anything else. I just feel we should be balancing things out better with the belief that removing a limb is the only way of addressing BIID.
>Certainly one could argue that there have been time periods where gay sexuality was higher risk, to say nothing of the social risks due to bigotry.
Well yes but that is really a societal problem than anything else. I just feel we should be balancing things out better with the belief that removing a limb is the only way of addressing BIID.
great interview! however if anyone that knows him reads this i fear it might just give it away. i still really enjoyed reading this and its interesting how the mind works!!
great interview! however if anyone that knows him reads this i fear it might just give it away. i still really enjoyed reading this and its interesting how the mind works!!
Giles – As I understand it that is the medical opinion in many cases, and there are many doctors who believe amputation is the right solution. It’s certainly no more radical than sex change surgeries — perhaps less so, really.
Giles – As I understand it that is the medical opinion in many cases, and there are many doctors who believe amputation is the right solution. It’s certainly no more radical than sex change surgeries — perhaps less so, really.
Interesting interview.
I still have to take the conservative route here and be the advocate for trying to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist prior to amputatio, but I appreciate it may not always work out for everyone feeling this way. And more importantly I realise these things are all relative. Being gay for example (since that seems to be the comparison on this forum), is still ‘successfully treated’ in some institutions, but as time goes on, it does seem that for at least a portion of these ‘reformed’ persons, it just doesn’t work. And you know they used to be crazy about the treatment of gayness before we became a little more enlightened about it. Ces’t la vie I think, if it makes him a happier person, so be it.. 🙂
Interesting interview.
I still have to take the conservative route here and be the advocate for trying to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist prior to amputatio, but I appreciate it may not always work out for everyone feeling this way. And more importantly I realise these things are all relative. Being gay for example (since that seems to be the comparison on this forum), is still ‘successfully treated’ in some institutions, but as time goes on, it does seem that for at least a portion of these ‘reformed’ persons, it just doesn’t work. And you know they used to be crazy about the treatment of gayness before we became a little more enlightened about it. Ces’t la vie I think, if it makes him a happier person, so be it.. 🙂
This was interesting to read, even though I am an artist and have a phobia about limb loss.
This was interesting to read, even though I am an artist and have a phobia about limb loss.
I first heard about BIID on..I want to say 20/20? About people who packed their legs with dry ice or other similar measures to get amputations. It’s so wild! I can’t even wrap my mind around it.
I first heard about BIID on..I want to say 20/20? About people who packed their legs with dry ice or other similar measures to get amputations. It’s so wild! I can’t even wrap my mind around it.
This was a bit hard for me to read,i still find people with amuptations a little intimidating(only because i havent been exposed to them,or personally know any)and i wasn’t aware a condition like that was out there.To me it seems bizarre,id miss any of my limbs,however im glad he’s found what he’s looking for. I just feel its a shame he couldn’t have had the support from family and friends,keeping it a secret like this must be a heavy mental strain.
This was a bit hard for me to read,i still find people with amuptations a little intimidating(only because i havent been exposed to them,or personally know any)and i wasn’t aware a condition like that was out there.To me it seems bizarre,id miss any of my limbs,however im glad he’s found what he’s looking for. I just feel its a shame he couldn’t have had the support from family and friends,keeping it a secret like this must be a heavy mental strain.
Hmmmm, this was an interesting read. I am an amputee, not by choice. I had a birth “defect” that caused me to not have fingers ( the doctors did construct two fingers on each hand from what I did have ) and my right foot was amputated when I was about 2. Reading stories about voluntary amputation is always interesting for me and at times I have mixed feelings about them. For me it really all boils down to the “defects” whatever they may be are just one of the things that makes us who we are. To me its no different than being fat or skinny, all of us are different in our own ways, and if it takes amputating a limb to make you feel normal then who am I to say no you shouldn’t do that. I am 32 now and having lived with me “defects” all my life I can honestly say that I feel as normal as the next person. I really forget that I am even different in that respect until I see someone staring or someone ask me about it. Funny thing is I am short and overweight and I really feel more subconscious about the extra pounds than not having as many fingers as everyone else. Just my two cents.
Hmmmm, this was an interesting read. I am an amputee, not by choice. I had a birth “defect” that caused me to not have fingers ( the doctors did construct two fingers on each hand from what I did have ) and my right foot was amputated when I was about 2. Reading stories about voluntary amputation is always interesting for me and at times I have mixed feelings about them. For me it really all boils down to the “defects” whatever they may be are just one of the things that makes us who we are. To me its no different than being fat or skinny, all of us are different in our own ways, and if it takes amputating a limb to make you feel normal then who am I to say no you shouldn’t do that. I am 32 now and having lived with me “defects” all my life I can honestly say that I feel as normal as the next person. I really forget that I am even different in that respect until I see someone staring or someone ask me about it. Funny thing is I am short and overweight and I really feel more subconscious about the extra pounds than not having as many fingers as everyone else. Just my two cents.
I’m glad this fellow shared his story. I’m also glad he is now happy with himself. I think that’s bad ass and good for him!
I’m glad this fellow shared his story. I’m also glad he is now happy with himself. I think that’s bad ass and good for him!
To me this is a good article, but i’ll never understand the logic(not that i have to) But, for me losing a limb is a fear. it gives me knots in my stomach. AS long as hes happy with his decision i guess thats all matters.
To me this is a good article, but i’ll never understand the logic(not that i have to) But, for me losing a limb is a fear. it gives me knots in my stomach. AS long as hes happy with his decision i guess thats all matters.