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From: Reed.Hopkins@f7.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Reed Hopkins)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Need Information
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Date: 28 Jun 90 17:01:34 GMT
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Index Number: 8988

    >> I also don't recall any child reaching maturity and rejecting <<
    >> his device.  Why would they not use a artifical leg or arm    <<
    >> they had used all their lives?                                <<
        

I was one of the very first children to be fitted with a
prosethetic device in the 1950's when they became lightweight
enough for toddlers to use them.  There were many unknowns at that
time, and I am at the crest of the wave now - one of the oldest
children, at 35.  I have not worn my hok for a few years now, and
regard the putting aside of the damned thing as one of the greatest
liberating moments of my life.

Prosethtics are heavy, hot and uncomfortable.  In my case (I have
an underdeveloped arm and no hand at all) the benefits gained from
the hook weren't worth the aggravation.  I developed nasty back
problems because of the constant unbalanced torsion strains put on
my back by the operation of the thing. I have a fused vertabrate
"arm" (?) where it should ride free in my lower back.  Without my
hook I get the benefits of tactile contact, which are subtle but
invaluable.

I fought enourmous pressures from all sorts of unexpected
directions in releasing myself from the contraption.  The abled
word wants to look at that and say "see, with that there's no
disability."  Yet my actual physical ability wasn't increased
markedly (I struggle with cutting meat, that's about it!).

The hook also served to keep my "deformity" out of sight, and
helped me "pass."  With a long sleeved shirt particularly it hid
the fact that I have no hand quite well, and supported me in my
denial of the fact.

Today I roll up my sleeve to give me full use of my arm and walk
the streets freely.  This offends some people, but it also helps
condition them to my presence, and I like the fact that that type
of person is more easily identifiable now too.  Those types will
visit all sorts of subtle indignities on us, and they're a lot
easier to deal with when forewarned.

Enough.  I haven't burned my hook in public yetm, but I'm
considering it! :<)

-- Reed Hopkins

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