What crosses your mind when you see or meet a guy who is missing a leg?

[stalnoypirat]

One year ago I ended up losing my leg above the knee. Whenever I'm out in public places now, on crutches or with leg prosthesis visible, I get a lot of stares, which is expected. However I notice people seem afraid of eye contact, some just shy away completely. It makes social interactions awkward. I've recently made a couple acquaintances with girls through a group of friends. But they seem very or nervous around me or awkward when I try to chat, so I'm lost as to how to even interest them in friendship or possible date. I'm curious, what do women think when they see an amputee guy? How would you react if you saw a guy like me? Please be brutally honest.

[sejla]

I see it, I have initial mental awkwardness in that I don't want to show my surprise but how well I hide it I don't know, I release the feeling and focus on the man's eyes. It works because you are looking into the soul of the person. And I keep talking. Most people over time start to realize that at a blink of an eye our bodies could change through injury or illness. I hope with age we give a little bit of grace.

[stalnoypirat]

Thanks for explaining. I can often feel people trying their best to hide their reaction or surprise, as if they're afraid of offending me in some way. But it feels not genuine. I was recently in a coffee shop and the girl at the counter (maybe 19) was so nervous, like she just saw a ghost or alien. She was over the top apologizing, even though everything was fine with the order, and I was ok to wait for the coffee like everyone else.

[sejla]

Yes there is a fear of offending because people don't want to make you feel uncomfortable but their brains have a split second unconscious reaction that takes their aware brain a bit to catch and then stop it.

The only other type of reaction you are going to get is no reaction for those who either don't notice or those who have family members or friends with similar physical differences.

The last reaction only happens in societies where there is no understanding and that's bullying or thinking a person is less than.

Probably if that young woman saw you every day for the next 365 days she'd get to the point she'd just smile, greet you and talk every day talk.

[meesegoMoo]

I would probably try not to stare. If you talked to me it would be admittedly difficult, as prostheses are an old interest of mine and I would assume a conversation on prosthetic design and engineering wouldn't be something you would enjoy. It being a leg instead of an arm amplifies this. I've met and talked to one-armed men just fine.

How did you lose your leg?

[stalnoypirat]

Actually I wouldn't mind discussing prosthetic design, or feel offended if someone brought it up. How did you become interested in it?
I lost my leg as a result of complications and infection after a bad road accident.

[meesegoMoo]

I've a good many issues with my own body, a prosthetic leg seemed to be my only option for a while, so I looked into experimental prosthetic and human mechanical advancement. Good to know it's not a touchy subject.

[Billy0670]

Some people are scared to ask you about it and will avoid any contact because they feel it might upset you.
I myself usually go up to the person and ask them what happened "if you dont mind me asking...". Usually there's a really good story behind it and you just made a great friend

[95129]

Just rock it, I have no legs and sometimes I even show my stump scars when I’m wheeling around when it’s hot outside. And I will tell you that my left leg looks kinda scarred up. Some chicks sort of dig it

[Gedaria]

How did he lose it...

[spartan55]

Sucks to be him.