Steph I get the "you sure do OK with that", also "What happened to you", sometimes "Hows that thing work?" even "Is that thing real?" Kids frequently say "Look! That man has a robot leg". Just read your last post. Don't think it should be too difficult to put a zipper in a nice rain boot or other shoe, just need a sewing machine up to the task of sewing through the heavy duty shoe fabric. Luck Ben

Steph, I use a wheelchair to get around all the time since my auto accident in 2002 when I lost both my legs. My stumps are very short and when I sit in my wheelchair my stomach covers them up completely since I am heavy. I get remarks all the time about what happened to your legs or such when I'm out no matter what the season. I think some people are just nosy ot tactless. Generally I just let it pass and just say auto accident when they ask. Most don't know what to say and leave. I think the adults should know better than to ask some of the things they do. I here little children say to their parent "Look mommy that lady has no legs" usually the mother will try to hurry the little one past me without saying much. There are actually a few both adults and children that I have talked to a little about my accident and situation. It just depends on the situation were in. Don't let anyone stares or questions bother you, I don't. Susan

Most of my comments are at work too. I get alot of people saying "I don't understand why they wouldn't let you go back to your job". then I get if you had long pants on you would never know. I am a bilateral BKA. I was a locomotive engineer for 35 years. The company gave me a job as what is called a lead driver. I am in charge of getting vans to the crews wherever that might be and also driving myself. It pays about 50% of what I used to make and there is no reason I couldn't do my old job. I am fighting now to get soome fair treatment and get my old job back. I have been fighting this for over 2 years.

I have had the question "did I get that in the war?" I realized a moment later that I was wearing my Army T-shirt, and so its easy to make that assumptio, but then I explain that I got it in a more dangerous place- the Houston freeway. I wear shorts because I like the freedom of the leg swing, plus it explains to people at first glance "why I walk funny". I know I get some stares, but I ignore them. Small children are very genuinely curious, and will sometimes ask what happened to my leg, so I tell them that a car ran over me, and thats why your Mommy wants you to not run out in the street.

I wear shorts just about everywhere except work during the summer. Most of what I get are a lot of large eyeballs staring at me. Don't know if it is because of the leg, the skulls covering the socket or the fact that I am 6ft 9in tall and well over 300lbs. Some will ask if I am diabetic (of which I am) or say how well I seem to be getting around. But all-in-all I say wear shorts, be at ease with what you are. Don't let sociaty dictate how you are accepted for being an amputee.