Peter, dont feel that way about yoursel. My husband wanted me to get the fake skin on my prosthetic so it would not look like it came from the junk yarrd.Anyway, I hate it. dont feel bad about how it looks. its you in those foster grants.we will help you and try to advise, but it takes awhile to get along with (yourself) I cried daily for months. I think I went dry. and then came effexor. Dont let yourself sink when you have so many friends here that can help. you will be fine. I know you will. Just dont give up. And if your relly feeling bad, call the doctor. keep us posted and feel well. You will get better, both physically and mentally. I promise. Linda

Glad you are on the mend.Try to stay positive it helps.People staring can be so annoying but after a while you kind of get used to it.

If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.

Try not to worry so much about what people think, it's what YOU think that matters. I just got my first fulltime leg and I tell ya it's definetly different. I don't know how many people actually looked at it, but it's an eye catcher. Tigertatt also has some pretty out there pics too. I like being out and about and if peopl;e look so be it, because it beats hiding in a house.

Peter:
Johnny said it, you control the situation, if stares are directed at you, stare back at some sensitive location.
Notoes

I am a hip-disartic. I do not wear a prostheis, so when I am out in public using only crutches, people always stare. I find that most of the time when I look them in the eye and smile, they just smile back, and I don't see the fear, pity or "freak" factor on their faces. I don't think people are inherently mean...they are just curious and we amputees don't look like they do...There are some days I'm not in the mood to be seen or to smile back...On those days, I try to avoid eye contact and just get on with the things I have to do.

I've only been an amputee for a year. This may not help now...but time does in fact heal all wounds. I think most amputees will tell you that in many ways their lives actually improved after the amputation. Is it more difficult?...yes in some ways...but I have found more meaning in life from friends and family. And with every success you have, you will be a model to someone else. I wish you the best in your journey.

Lorri

Hey Peter
I am 20 some yrs post amputation. So some of the stuff you are going though is very old news to me.Dont know if this will help you are not...but a lot of the big problems you think you are having now...will be hard to remember in a few years..
People do tend to stare, but you can always stare back.
I find most people become embrassed when they get caught stareing . Adult tend to try to peek giving kind of a side ways glance, but kids , are way more up front and honest. They will just look right at you. May even walk up to you and ask you what happened to your leg?
For me I always liked the direct honest approach, so I always take the time to answer the kids. sometimes to the horror of their parents , who cant believe that there child actually talked too me. I found that having one leg forced me to be more self confident , which helped me deal with these kind of situations.
Some funny stuff, with peoples reactions to artifical legs.
One day I went to the pool.
I was swimming laps.
So I took my leg off..and just layed it down on the edge of the pool. When I was done swimming and taking a rest. I was a little ways from my legs , resting in the water at the pools edge.
I was watching as people would walk by , and notice my leg laying there. They would do a double take and look around as if it must of fell from the sky. The looks on peoples faces...was soooo funny I almost drown!

So I wish you well , find the humor when you can, talk to someone when you feel like crying, above all ,remember your still Just you, nothing more..nothing less..

I had the same procedure of having a cast on my residual limb , and had a leg attached to my cast , was walking with canes in about 4 days

Good Luck too you!
Stay Frosty
Frosty

I am overwhelmed by the number of replies. Be assured that I am not going to let people stareing at something that is not even there, bother me at all. I just feel a little dissapointed that there are so many rude jerks out there. Today I feel 100% better than yesterday and my strength has increased as well. Things are looking good! This promises to be an easy recovery with all the help and courage that I see and feel from this group.
All the best, Peter

my amputation was from an accident on my motorcycle last year in july so i woke up in the hospital missing a leg and was scared. i didn't get a prosthetic until december so i did alot of crutching and or wheelchair. on the plus side im very good at doing wheelies in my wheelchair i even spin circles. lol ds is a great website to meet fellow amputees and ask questions or get advice. i always tell people that "iv'e got a leg up on life" example went to the bar it was very busy couldn't get a drink so i popped off my leg set it up on the bar and shazam there was a drink in 30 seconds.

I bought a T-shirt for all the people that stare at me because of my prosthetic leg. It says Keep Staring and I might do a TRICK!!! I have gotten alot of laughs from that and a few people apologizing for staring. I have another T-shirt that has a picture of a Gas pump and it says it cost an arm and a leg but I got it half price. Another one says Silence of the Limbs. Anyone looking for Amputee T-shirts can go to www.cafepress.com At the top there is search criteria. Choose apparel and next to it type in amputee and hit enter. Wearing those shirts really is therapeutic.

Peter, I definately understand about what you are feeling ( I am 5 weeks past surgery) ... people staring. I went to the zoo with my family during spring break... I had no idea I would be one of the main attractions lol. My husbsand says its because I'm so beautiful.. I love him...! I don't mind when kids ask questions.. or anyone for that matter I will always answer them. I guess in a way I am used to it, I work at an elementary school and last week was my first week back.. the kids are great and welcomed me with open arms and lots of hugs. Goodluck to you :)

Stacy