Writing Prompt #5

Opinion-Editorial

by Wallace Taylor

So, you know how I hate amputees? Well, it's not like it's a notion that comes from just out of nowhere. It's a calculated prejudice. A little or a lot, it doesn't matter the amount of flesh and bone that's gone, all that matters is that what was once there is no longer. The absence of a limb's not all it, though. It's that it's held over the heads and thrown in the faces of those of us that are still whole.

      You mean to tell me that I'm supposed to talk to some fellow and just flat ignore that stump he's wielding? It ain't natural and there ain't tolerance enough for it rattling around in this head of mine. And, hell, I know it's got to make a person self-conscious as all get-out knowing that there's people like me looking down on them for something they most likely couldn't help, but that's not for me to deal with; that's their's and their's alone to shoulder.

      I have to give a hand to those that strap those prosthetics on and move an inch more back toward normal, though. A valiant effort, for sure, but that don't solve the problem. Hell, there ain’t no solution. Matter of fact, some plastic or rubber piece like that probably makes matters worse. Think about it: you see two fellows side-by-side, one with no leg and one with a fake. Now, I'm no authority on such matters, but I'd say the guy who didn't bother covering his shortcoming is probably being dealt a better hand than the other guy. I mean, whether you got no leg or are wearing a fake one, folks are gonna notice. Either way, eyes will be constantly trying to avoid looking but unable to stop stealing glances. Now that's undoubtedly a heavy lot to deal with, but just how much tougher would it be to keep talking, talking, talking about the whole ordeal? I mean, the guy with no leg just handles the folks pretending like they ain't noticed nothing wrong, but that's not all ol' Fake Leg’s got to wrap his head around. People see that prosthetic sticking out like a sore thumb and think he's made his peace and is trying to move on. They presume some sort of public therapy with a stranger will help the healing and that he’s ready to field questions about the mess he’s been through to get here - Firecracker? Car wreck? Diabetes? What’s the story? And make it juicy! Like  he wants to live it all over day after day with complete strangers.

      Dammit, it’s a sad thought that people have to deal with folks like me judging them when all they want is to live their life the best way they can with what they got, but I am me and I ain’t near about to bite my tongue so some lesser man don’t feel all that left out down at the VFW.