The right fit
"One size fits all" has always seemed like the strangest concept to me. Certainly, not reality and not at all inclusive, I've always walked past items labeled this way.
Since losing my leg, I have had to be re-fitted for a new prosthetic socket 4 times. A plaster mold of the residual limb is made so a custom socket can be created with a precise fit. The most drastic changes to the residual limb typically occur within the first year, when swelling goes down and muscle atrophy occurs along with changes to the shape. That first year comes with so many changes beyond the physical. Adapting to a new normal, pushing the limits of your body and mind to rebuild yourself from the inside out. Frequent trips to your prosthetic clinic are needed to ensure that the socket is still fitting properly to avoid bone loss, blisters and pain while walking. Trying to fit into something that once fit you perfectly can cause you irreparable damage... Shedding layers of who you once were and accepting what lies beneath will help you find a truly custom fit.
The Beauty of how unique we all are is not lost on me. The way we each look, think, feel. The things that bring us comfort, sadness, joy. The way we cope with physical pain, emotional distress and adversity. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same. There are so many ways to get around as an amputee. Some of us wear prosthetics with various features or technologies. Some use a wheelchair daily while others prefer crutches or a walker. Depending on the length and shape of our residual limb, we may transition from one mobility device to another throughout our lives or alternate back and forth daily based on our pain level. Pretty early on, I decided I would not let anyone make me feel bad for doing what works best for me at each stage of my life. I will not feel "lazy" when I choose to use my wheelchair for long distances or my crutches at home when I'm sore from my prosthetic. As humans, we could all do a better job of not ever being ashamed of who we are and celebrating our differences. I'm at peace with the fact that one size does not fit all and it certainly doesn't fit me.
