I often wonder what it would be like to have become an amputee later in life. To be a brand new amputee, and be completely aware of your situation. I was only 4 1/2 when I had my leg amputated, and the leg I had didn’t even work properly! I basically have no idea what it is like to walk on two functional legs. I always tell people my amputation was harder on my parents than on me.

I would often ask questions like when can I have my other leg back? Or, Why do people look at me funny? I would get picked on in school, and was treated very different because of it. I was like this special, gifted child. I was applauded for walking, running, and basically functioning. Granted all of these tasks were extremely difficult to a 5 year old who had spent her first 4 years in an orphanage attempting to walk on a deformed leg.

I went through the “toughest” years as an amputee. I collectively call puberty and middle school the toughest. I do not think I could go back to middle school and survive haha. I applaud anyone who teaches these grades. Puberty is toughest because that’s when you’re toughest on yourself. You feel extremely insecure about all of the changes your body is going through and to add to it your leg begins to slide from all of these new sweat glands you have. You may have put on a few lbs and so now your leg is a bit snugger than it had been. WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!

I did however, survive these periods in my life. I took a long time to gain confidence, but I am totally there now. So there in lies the question. Now that I am this confident being, what would it be like to be amputated now. I would clearly remember the situation. I would be able to better understand my circumstances. Would I hold on to this sense of confidence? Would I come out from it just as strong as I had as a 5 year old?

I don’t believe any situation is ideal, and I wouldn’t trade mine for the world. Mine brought me to the U.S. Mine got me a loving family. Mine made me grow up to be the person I am today.

What are your thoughts about your own amputation and how it shaped your personality?

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