owl Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I was visiting a friend last weekend. She mentioned that she'd recently read a disturbing PostSecret confession by someone who wished to be an amputee. I'd never heard of BIID before, and find it pretty disturbing. I can't believe that there are people who would wish for this, especially considering that some people suffer and cry at night because they've lost a limb. Think: writer Andre Dubus who was maimed while trying to rescue people from a highway accident. Apparently, people pray for that kind of thing. Oddly enough, this article showed up on the Guardian on Monday. It describes someone who intentionally killed her leg in an effort to have it amputated, and succeeded. This woman is obviously deeply screwed up. The weird thing is that her husband (and father of her young children) is 'okay' with it. The other weird thing is her comment that I think BIID will stay taboo until people get together and bring it out. A hundred years ago, it was taboo to be gay in many societies, and 50 years ago the idea of transsexuals was abhorrent to most. I have tried to make the condition more understood but it is difficult to get a case out in the open by yourself. Yeah, right. BIID // Homosexuality. She obviously has a very warped view of homosexuality, as well. "Get the word out and it'll be socially acceptable." Yuh huh. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 how come that woman is 1. still mother to children and 2. not in a mental ward somewhere?that is so disturbing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 A few years ago there was a story about a guy who wanted to cut off both of his feet, and was trying to get X number of people to pledge to pay to watch him do it on pay-per-view so that he could use the money for whatever medical costs would be incurred. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncle wilco Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 xtreme body modification...awesome. there's only so much left that hasn't been done. this society is sliding faster down the crapper than ever. weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mrs. Peel Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 It's obviously a pretty severe psychological condition, not really a societal degradation, don't you think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Yeah, if this becomes a trend, then I'll worry for society. I'm sure that this isn't anything unique to this time in history. Just something that isn't talked about a lot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
owl Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 1) It's especially interesting to put this into social context, not only in the sense that this is probably a human disorder (not 21st century human), but in the sense that this is a wife/mother who is apparently leading an otherwise normal life. I wonder what her job is? HR consultant? Starbucks clerk? Nurse? Customer Service Rep? 2) It's so strange to hear this in a very straightforward, well-written manner. The way it's written, this article could be about gardening. I wonder what kinds of things would shock this person? I wonder how she'd feel about someone who has horns surgically implanted into his scalp, or someone who has 5,000 piercings or brandings? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 I watched a show about people who suffer from this type of disorder on 60 Minutes or a similar program. A lot of the people try to freeze their legs so they damage them to the point of amputation being necessary. Very, very odd. In my opinion, as someone above stated, these people should be in a mental ward. For some reason it strikes me as some distorted cry for attention. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoFan Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 This strikes me as a defect in the most basic instinct in nature: self-preservation Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jenbobblehead Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 it seems that freezing your legs so they have to be cut off is a way of becoming an invalid. Certainly double amputees cope with their lack of limbs, but how selfish is that to inflict it willingly upon your family? Other things that people do to themselves that are self destructive (eating disorders, cutting, drug abuse etc) land them in the psych ward, why not this? would you trust your kids with someone like this as their teacher or care giver? What if she decided that the kids would look better without any arms, that they would feel better without their feet?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kathyp Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Yeah, if this becomes a trend, then I'll worry for society. I'm sure that this isn't anything unique to this time in history. Just something that isn't talked about a lot. It's not. I think it has more to do with what can, or will, be used as fodder to sell newspapers. There's not much left to shock people. I watched a documentary on the same thing about three or four years ago: people compelled to chop off a limb. I'm gonna guess it was the Discovery Health Channel (if your cable system has it, browse through the programs, The titles alone are worth a look). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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