“Disability Awareness Week”

On late Friday, I booked an appointment with a massage therapist, Shane. Not only is he a skilled therapist with a city practice, he’s also my neighbor, and has followed my journey over the last twelve months with interest. “It’s been a big week,” I told him, “and I thought it would be great to book in for some relaxation.”

The week began with a stressful incident: a blood blister on my intact foot. As a diabetic amputee, I’m hypervigilant about foot care. Every eight weeks, I see a podiatrist to check my feet. My physiotherapist noticed the blister and recommended seeking medical attention.

This was timely, as I had an upcoming appointment at the Prosthetic Clinic at Sacred Heart Hospital where I spent a few months of the last year. When asked about any possible “trauma” that might have caused the blister, I couldn’t think of anything. The culprit was a sock wedged in the bottom of my shoe. Though it sounds trivial, there was concern about the reduced sensation in my foot, so I’ll monitor the situation closely.

Staff at the clinic shared other amusing stories. One patient arrived convinced their leg was turning black (a likely sign of gangrene), only to discover a soy sauce packet lodged in their prosthetic.

I also had a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) meeting to review my support plan. Given my progress, funding is being reduced over the next three years, as I simply don’t need the high level support I had when this first happened. Thankfully, they’ll fund two new prosthetics. I’ll get a “wet leg” for water activities and a new socket for my current limb, as my stump is shrinking.

Prosthetics are like toddler shoes, changing frequently. I’m considering options for the cover. A natural look appeals, but I like the idea of festive designs. A Facebook group offered great advice, including experimenting with different styles.

While generally positive, I briefly questioned if my desire for a “natural look” stemmed from insecurity about my new life as someone with disability. I think it’s more about practicality and avoiding trends, and so I can perform my own seasonal decorations for Chtistmas/Mardi Gras, rather than get locked into the same look

I’m always observing others with prosthetics in public. Volunteering at the Sydney Disability Expo on Friday was eye-opening. Despite working with people with disabilities, the sheer volume and variety of challenges surprised me. From learning basic sign language to interacting with people with profound disabilities, I gained valuable insights. I also encountered some of my own ableist assumptions firsthand.

Last year, as a wheelchair user, I had first hand experience being overlooked in favor of my support worker. “Hey, it’s me down here”, I was tempted to say when the shop assistant looked to my support worker instead of me. I made a conscious effort to speak directly to individuals with disability, regardless of my assumptions their support needs.

The past year has been a steep learning curve.