What’s in my bag-Amputee Edition
You’ve seen the glamorous “What’s in My Bag” videos, designer purse, tiny perfume, lipstick that’s been used twice. Well, mine has some of that… plus a few items you probably won’t see in Vogue anytime soon.
As an amputee, I have to be prepared for the inevitable "leg emergency" when I leave the house, but I like a tiny chic handbag as much as anybody, so I have to get creative when it comes to my supplies.
You're probably wondering what kinds of issues come up when I'm out and about that a cool robot leg can't autocorrect itself. Unfortunately, there are lots.
Sweat- Because I wear a silicone liner and carbon fiber socket over my residual limb, my skin is trapped in a literal hot box of humidity that could qualify as its own Florida Everglades ecosystem. And puddles of sweat at the bottom of my liner are not only ick, but they cause a slippery environment that means my leg can easily slide off of me if I'm sweaty enough. I usually keep a pack of baby wipes or a small towel in my car as well as a small hand sanitizer bottle in my purse. Sanitizer not only works to clean up my skin after drying any sweat, but also to help my limb slide back into my liner and socket without friction. And yes, I have had to hop out of a bathroom stall on one foot to ask a stranger for some hand sanitizer.
2.Blisters- something that comes along with sweat and repeated friction from lots of walking in a socket (why does this always happen to me on vacation?) A blister on a foot is bad enough, but a blister inside a prosthetic socket is like trying to walk with a jellybean glued to your skin, except it’s on fire. After much trial and error, I've found that Hydrocolloid bandages work best, and they don't up much room so I make sure to bring plenty when I travel or if I know i'm going to be walking longer distances, that might piss off my very sensitive skin.
Suction Issues- Many prosthetic legs, including mine, are designed to stay on with suction. This means that the tiny plastic tube that connects to the valve on my socket is holding on for dear life. And it is truly a rite of passage to lose said plastic tube while you are out galavanting with friends, making it near impossible to find, as it is CLEAR and only about two inches long. So I keep 1-2 extra tubes in my purse at all times, because no one wants to hobble home with a leg that’s one bad joke away from falling off. Trust me, nothing kills the vibe faster than having to explain to your Uber driver why your “leg situation” now involves holding it in place with both hands because he will inevitably ask you how you lost your leg and then tell you that one time he sprained his ankle and had to use crutches for a week so he "get's it".
There are many, and I mean many other issues that come up due to the fact that this is very much not the leg I was born with, but since I refuse to carry around a giant duffle bag everywhere I go because that would absolutely not go with my outfit, I bring what I can and hope for the best.
Creativity is possibly my most valuable amputee skill, and it has saved plenty of trips from disaster. MacGyvering solutions with whatever’s in my bag is just part of the adventure.