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Posted by Andrea Stevens on February 11, 19101 at 16:02:17:

In Reply to: Life posted by Pat Kenney on February 11, 19101 at 15:08:56:

Hi,

I've been reading this board for some time and have gained lots of good knowledge and advice from y'all.

I have been an amputee for almost 20 years (lost my leg AK at age 11 due to bone cancer), but I'm just now switching from a quad socket to a modified ichial containment one (the regular IC socket was just too radical for me). Anyway, I used to have a socket with cut out areas in the front and back and a somewhat flexible liner, but my prosthesist says they would not be of much use to me with the new socket because of the shape. It sort of makes sense, but I was wondering if any of you have an IC socket with cutouts and how you feel about it. I also want to add a little to your ongoing debate. I must say I am one of those that takes the word handicapped and gives it to someone much less able than I am. I have never looked at myself that way, nor do I think I would gain anything by doing so. I've played sports in the past, and still run, swim, bike,carry, chase, and play with my children, and anything else I want to do. I enjoy looking as "normal" as possible too. I'm a woman, and my appearance is very important to me. It means more to some than others. Yes, in a perfect world we'd all be accepted no matter what we look like, but this world is hardly perfect! And I'm not one to go out there and try to set an example, although I applaud those who do. I enjoy being like everyone else. I learned how to wear high heels and wore them for years (while I was working full time), dress well, and do my hair and makeup every day. So it's "normal" for someone like me to want my leg to look good. I worked hard on my gait, and as a result it is very even and I have just a small, almost undetectable limp. Yes, I'm happy that it looks close to "normal", but it also has had many positive physical benefits. An uneven gait can wreak havoc on a person's spine, hips, and sound leg/knee/foot. I have had absolutely no problems in any of those areas. I hope you are not looking at me like a bragger, because that's not what I mean to do. I mostly just want to say to those of you who are recent amputees and wonder whether you can have a normal life, that the answer is definitely YES, YES, YES!!!!!! I'm married to a great guy, have 3 children and a career (which I decided to put on hold when baby #3 arrived last year). I do not think it is necessary to label ourselves "handicapped". My family and friends would laugh at anyone who called me that! I run circles around most of them. ha! Just my humble opinion.

Dream on, y'all!!!

Follow Ups:

Re: Question and more Rich B 18:39:36 2/13/101 (1)
- To Rich Andrea Stevens 15:03:27 2/16/101 (0)
Re: Question and more Karen Downs 19:33:09 2/11/101 (1)
- Thanks, Karen...I applaud YOU, too! (n/t) Andrea Stevens 11:24:01 2/13/101 (0)
Re: Question and more Don Biltucci 18:30:03 2/11/101 (0)

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: Hi, : I've been reading this board for some time and have gained lots of good knowledge and advice from y'all. : I have been an amputee for almost 20 years (lost my leg AK at age 11 due to bone cancer), but I'm just now switching from a quad socket to a modified ichial containment one (the regular IC socket was just too radical for me). Anyway, I used to have a socket with cut out areas in the front and back and a somewhat flexible liner, but my prosthesist says they would not be of much use to me with the new socket because of the shape. It sort of makes sense, but I was wondering if any of you have an IC socket with cutouts and how you feel about it. I also want to add a little to your ongoing debate. I must say I am one of those that takes the word handicapped and gives it to someone much less able than I am. I have never looked at myself that way, nor do I think I would gain anything by doing so. I've played sports in the past, and still run, swim, bike,carry, chase, and play with my children, and anything else I want to do. I enjoy looking as "normal" as possible too. I'm a woman, and my appearance is very important to me. It means more to some than others. Yes, in a perfect world we'd all be accepted no matter what we look like, but this world is hardly perfect! And I'm not one to go out there and try to set an example, although I applaud those who do. I enjoy being like everyone else. I learned how to wear high heels and wore them for years (while I was working full time), dress well, and do my hair and makeup every day. So it's "normal" for someone like me to want my leg to look good. I worked hard on my gait, and as a result it is very even and I have just a small, almost undetectable limp. Yes, I'm happy that it looks close to "normal", but it also has had many positive physical benefits. An uneven gait can wreak havoc on a person's spine, hips, and sound leg/knee/foot. I have had absolutely no problems in any of those areas. I hope you are not looking at me like a bragger, because that's not what I mean to do. I mostly just want to say to those of you who are recent amputees and wonder whether you can have a normal life, that the answer is definitely YES, YES, YES!!!!!! I'm married to a great guy, have 3 children and a career (which I decided to put on hold when baby #3 arrived last year). I do not think it is necessary to label ourselves "handicapped". My family and friends would laugh at anyone who called me that! I run circles around most of them. ha! Just my humble opinion. : Dream on, y'all!!!

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