Thursday, June 12, 2008

Summer Reruns

Time for another rerun. I have always liked this list of advantages to having only one leg. For anyone who doesn't know about Reid's amputation, see here. And for more info on his prosthetic legs, see here or here.



Tuesday, August 7, 2007

One Foot Advantage


I was bathing the boys the other day and they were sticking the plastic cups they play with in the bath tub on their feet. When Reid put the cup on his stump, it went all the way up to his knee. And we all thought that was pretty awesome. So then I started to think about all the other advantages of having only one foot and a prosthetic leg (which goes clear up to his knee).
  • When he wears a cup on his foot it goes all the way up to his knee

  • If ever he wants to be a pirate for Halloween, he'll make a great peg-leg

  • At play group this afternoon an older kid referred to it as a robot leg

  • He can only get a sunburn on one leg

  • He has 5 less toenails to clip (and it's not an easy task clipping a 1 year olds toenails)

  • He has one less foot to wash and dry at bathtime

  • If he steps in a puddle with shoes and socks on, he only has to experience that sloshy discomfort with one foot

  • When he plays in the snow, only one foot will be unbearably cold

  • If he steps on something sharp with his prosthetic, he won't bleed

  • His foot sits on a stand when he sleeps

  • It won't hurt when he stubs his toe

  • If ever he gets in a fight, as boys do, he has a secret weapon (it hurts pretty bad to get kicked by that thing...so far he hasn't done it on purpose, but he'll soon learn)

  • People freak out when you pull his leg off to go through airport security

  • He'll be able to play awesome tricks on people
  • He only has half the chance of developing foot problems (ingrown toenails, athletes foot, corns, planters warts, and all the other gross diseases of the foot)
  • When he's been wearing shoes with no socks, only one foot stinks

  • He's the only kid in nursery who has one

  • According to the latest Olympic debate, he'll have the "advantage" in athletics

  • If you ever get paired with him in a three legged race, it will be more like a two legged race.
  • He'll win any standing or hopping on one leg contest

  • His legs are two different colors

  • If (heaven forbid) he decides to wrestle in high school, it will be easy for him to "drop weight" - He can just take his foot off
  • He can't sprain or break his ankle

These are all the advantages I could think of in just 5 minutes. Given more time, I 'm sure there are many more to list. It's pretty awesome. He's doing so well.




I added this a few weeks later.

8 comments:

Kelly said...

What a special boy you have there!! I love that he has adapted to his "advantage leg" so well and so easily. He is a super kid with super powers, I mean, how many of us can fit our leg into a cup holder?! Seriously, he is amazing! We love him!!

jeanine said...

This was fun to read again. One of the Mia Maids in our ward has a prosthetic leg so last night when we were playing broom hockey the girls were telling her that if things got too rough out there she could just beat the boys with her leg. You'll have to watch for that one with Reid later on!

Danielle said...

Katie-
I have loved reading your blog! I am Terin's sister in law and she told me you are moving to our ward soon. I cannot WAIT to meet you and your adorable family. I loved this last post, you really had me laughing, thanks!

Karen said...

He is such a handsome boy! It was fun to have the boys the other day! I can't believe how agile He is on his prosthetic. It's nothing less than amazing.

Amanda B. said...

What an awesome post. He is such a cool kid. I never would have thought of all these. I especially liked the one about airport security- what a hoot! :) You are such an amazing mom who has shown incredible strength with what you have had to deal with! :)

Erin said...

Okay I have a few for you to add to that list:

*He can use it to push things off top shelves at stores.
*He can use it to kill bugs in hard to reach places.
*When he has kids he can use it to reach them in the back of the car!

I love the way you think! I think that way too and it makes me feel less crazy!

Genn said...

Katie-
I had no idea that you and your family have had to overcome such obstacles with Reid and his leg. You are an amazingly strong woman! It sounds like you have been very optimistic through it all. That is so great. And Reid is such a cute kid. I love that you seem to not treat him any differently. Because you are right, he never knew or remembered anything different. What a source of strength you are. Thanks for sharing your courageous stories.

Melissa + Brett said...

This is one of my favorite posts! When you first wrote it I made my mom, dad, and husband all come read it. I just love the optimism!