| Don't Say | Try Saying | | :--- | :--- | | "You’re so inspiring for just getting out of bed." | "It’s good to see you. How is your pain today?" | | "I don't see you as an amputee." | "I see you. What do you need help with?" | | "At least it wasn't cancer." (Or worse) | "I can't imagine how hard this is. I’m here to listen." | | Staring at the prosthesis. | Asking "Can you tell me how that works? I’m curious." |
Well-meaning friends often say the worst things. Here is a cheat sheet: amputee
This post is for amputees, their caregivers, and anyone who wants to understand a journey that is not about loss , but about profound adaptation . | Don't Say | Try Saying | |
The interface between the human body and the machine is the socket. If it doesn't fit perfectly, you will get blisters, skin breakdown, or simply refuse to wear it. A good prosthetist (the clinician who makes the device) is worth their weight in gold. I’m here to listen
You will always feel the ghost of your old self. But over time, the phantom pain fades, and the phantom potential grows.
If you ask an amputee what hurts the most, they won't point to the scar. They will point to the space where their foot used to be.