An artificial limb replaces an arm or a leg that a person might be missing. You can perform your daily activities like eating, dressing, or walking through the assistance of a device called prosthesis. Through the aid of some artificial limbs, you can operate as well as you did before.
Reasons for Limb Amputation
There are some reasons which might lead to a person having their limb amputated. They include vascular (blood vessels) disease, peripheral arterial or diabetes illness, cancer, being born with a defect, and injury caused by work-related accidents, motor vehicle crashes, or military combat.
Common Misconceptions about Amputees
They can’t go back to their work.
The truth is that though some of the amputees may find it hard to adapt to work, or it might be physically improbable to continue with their career where they were active physically. However, most of them can resume their work after a period of healing and recovery. It is essential for the good of the mind and heart and for their financial well-being of the amputees. As a result, some of the amputees get into new careers, including working as a counselor, prosthetist, adaptive sports coach, or other professions where their prosthesis is an asset for that particular job.
They do not want to talk about it.
Another misconception is that other people think that the prosthesis person doesn’t want to talk about it. The truth on this issue is that it is a personal choice that individuals make on whether to talk about their prosthesis or not talk about it. Although it’s not acceptable to engage a stranger with personal questions, in most cases, the amputees wear their prosthesis happily with the equipment exposed, and they might be free to answer a question or two on how the equipment operates. However, it is the same case as asking a pregnant woman if she is pregnant; therefore, it is advisable to always proceed with caution. People will generally indicate that it is okay to talk about something.
Can’t do certain things anymore.
There is a misconception that people with prophetic limbs can’t do tasks like bike, swim , snowboard, or dance anymore. The truth of the matter is that they can do all this, thanks to the likes of Amy Purdy, who is an amputee snowboarder; she dances with the Stars 2014 alum and scores of others. Through them, this misconception is beginning to fade away. Not only can amputees do all these things, but they can leave competitors who are non-disabled in the dust.
It was caused by a traumatic accident.
Another misconception is that people who have prophetic limbs are involved in a traumatic accident. The truth is while some of the limb loss happens during combat; the fact is most of the amputations can also result from diseases like diabetes or cancer.
They can never walk again.
The fifth misconception is that the people who are amputated will never be able to walk again. The truth is that you may have been a witness to some amputees leaning to one side, shuffling their feet or limping, and it crossed your mind if it was a common lifelong situation for the people who have lost both or one leg. Most of the amputees can walk again generally after adapting to their prostheses and a prosthesis that is well-fitted together with treatments provided by an expert in joints and limbs.
Conclusion
Having a prophetic limb doesn’t mean that a person can’t carry out their daily duties or perform at the same level as those who do not. Therefore people should accord the individuals who are prophetic the support they need.