Personal
Accounts:
People With Amputations
| Introduction | Chris | Betty |
Introduction
In order to comfort someone, many people often say, "I know how
you feel." In the case of an amputation,
this is rarely true. It is very difficult to know exactly what goes
on in the mind and life of an amputee. An amputee is required to adapt
and live differently than the majority of the people in the world. Amputees
are not as pessimistic as one may think, however. Many are grateful
for opportunities they have been given because of their disability.
While reading the accounts of two adult amputations, notice how they
are just like everyone else and how they want to be treated normally.
After all, what is normal, anyway?
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Chris
Chris lost his lower right leg just below and knee and lost parts of
five of his fingers. He also has a clubbed left foot, cleft lip and
palate. As with many amputees, he strives to get people to accept him
for who he is. He wants to be treated as if he were not an amputee,
but just as any other "normal" person. Chris is very active.
He has always loved sports such as baseball and football. Amniotic
Band Syndrome causes Chris to work even harder than most to be as
good as the people he plays with and the people he plays against. In
order to help with tasks, Chris wears a prosthesis most of the time.
In Chris’ opinion, Amniotic Band Syndrome has made him a stronger
person. He is required to work harder than most in order to accomplish
the same things. He tries to be “normal,” and this has made
him better physically and mentally. Chris is content with who he is.
He wouldn’t change himself to have two legs, although at certain
points in his life, having two legs may have made things less challenging.
As with many other amputees, he owes his ability to be self-sufficient
to his mother. Chris would also like to help raise awareness for those
who have Amniotic Band Syndrome. He wants to make sure that children,
especially, know that they are not alone.
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Betty
Betty only has her thumb and pinky finger on her left hand. She also
has a small palm. At certain points in her life, Betty felt that her
disability caused people to judge her. People haven’t always concentrated
on her qualities, but have instead focused on her disability. Overcoming
this hardship has been a real challenge. As a child, Betty was very
sheltered. People didn’t talk about differences. Betty is now
very shy and self-conscious about her hand. It bothers her when people
look and stare. Amniotic Band Syndrome has held Betty back from doing
what she wanted, which was to be an airline pilot. She often wishes
she were just like everyone else. Still, Betty believes that she was
meant to have Amniotic Band Syndrome. Betty has a husband, Steve, daughter
Mia, and son Chuck, and feels that she has these people to guide her.
She is also religious, which helps with her self-image.
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