You have a medical condition and must permanently lose use of either both arms or both legs, but can choose. Which would you choose and why?
This is my field in real life and I'll choose wisely based on experience and what I see in my society
To start with, not being able to move or use both hands(upper limbs) can be termed diplegia while both legs(lower limbs) is called paraplegia although its still a form of diplegia. This can be due to various medical/neurological conditions but mostly spinal cord injury or stroke especially for the legs although its unusual to have upper limb paralysis alone. Neither of not being able to use the legs nor the hands will be cool but if I have a choice, I'll go for living without using my legs.
Why
I can't survive without these hands, its almost impossible. I'm a Dr by profession and I need these hands to examine my patients and document my findings.
All my medical skills are solely dependent on the use of my hands and this include performing surgeries.
Being able to communicate with people, use of mobile phones and computers which include using hive blog all depend on my hands.
I'll be able to feed my self and go about my day with mainly support for my mobility.
Explain how the loss would impact you
The basic function of the leg is to bear weight, for mobility and to do some skillful engagements like driving. These are key functions and I'll definitely miss them.
I like being private and independent but this will impose people on me because I'll always need them around me.
Life will be boring without the freedom to move about and stand without support. It will involve Being dependent on people for basic needs including bathing and using the toilet.
It will be frustrating and a lot of unexpected inhumane treatment will happen but then, its better than loosing my hands.
Looking beyond the physical impact, it will definitely affect my mental health.
- Low self esteem will most likely set in and one might be depressed at times.
- A lot of money will also be needed to live a relatively comfortable life but this might be challenging because of discrimination from people and job availability will be a problem here in Nigeria.
- It will affect the ability to have a spouse or to keep a partner because no one wants a liability as a life partner.
- Some medical conditions like wounds in the buttocks and thining out of the legs might happen due to repeated and prolonged sitting on one spot.
The list is endless.
What you would do to ensure you lived your best version of life after the loss.
Level of financial stability will go a long way to affect the quality of life one will have after the incidence.
Here in Nigeria, a very popular gospel musician comes to mind(Yinka Ayefele). His level of wealth and affluence is top notch And his condition of being bound to wheel chair even makes him stand out with preference in the community. In fact he's married with children. He's a good role model to crippled people and he's a proof that being crippled is not the end of life and also not an indication to not live the best version of one's life
"One thing I'll never do is to give up on myself and become a street beggar".
My first step will be to get an electronically customized wheel chair which will solve bulk of the anticipated physical challenges.
I'll employ a driver who will readily be at my service whenever needed.
I'll get a nanny who'll help out with basic needs at home including food.
Once these are sorted out, I'll focus more on improving my medical practice and fine tune my hospital theater setting to favour my wheel chair.
I'll also invest more time and develop my self further with online sources of income with hive and cryotocurrency trading included
It is easier said than done but these might be difficult to achieve in reality especially if not buoyant enough. I pray no one experiences being dependent.
Thank you for reading
Very detailed and well thought out post, good to know we have a doctor in the house!
You clearly wouldn't let it get you down and will find ways to diversify your income to stay afloat. Inspirational.
Awwn😊
Thank you
Yes o
We've got to keep moving irrespective of what life throws at us.
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hello doctor. I like the detailing you put into this piece. Reading it got me emotional though as it reminded of a loved whom during his last days became ridden; it was heart breaking.
Anyways when faced with choosing either to live without my hands or legs, I will choose to hold on to my hands.
So sorry about the emotions brought back. Sadly, that's the fate of most crippled fellow.
Good choice,i guess I was able to convince you further
Thanks for your great entry. It was selected as one of the two posts of the week and I sent it to curangel for some additional curation. I appreciate you putting so much effort into your post.
Thank you so much
I'm genuinely super excited.
Looking forward to more community engagement😊😊
We dont often celebrate what we have.
that said, life has no limitation, as long as their is life, there is hope.
I love that you mentioned that you cant beg, I believe we both know many people in Ayefele's situation begging, but educationand civilization may have help him realise his potentials earlier in life.
Hmm. We are all guilty of this.
Being a beggar is even out of it. But I think those that are into it felt that's their only option. Like you said, level of education and exposure plays major role in such decision making.
Oh my God! You won me over with these lines. People often think being a Handicap equals - downhill misery but that's not true at all.
Lol, I'm imagining you on your electronic chair like Professor Xavier from X-Men. You'd look pretty damn cool doc 😏
This was a wonderful and we'll detailed out post. Very realistic and very smart!
Lol🤣🤣🤣
It will look pretty cool but then its all imagination. I still prefer my curved legs😊😊
This is an excellent publication of a single topic, well justified and analyzed, I liked it very much congratulations.
Greetings and good health to all @bbjmed
Thanks for the kind words.
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed it. 😊😊
I would've chosen the same,thank you for sharing this. Reminded me to be grateful of the things I somehow neglect, my ability to walk and use my arms and hands.
And congratulations for winning! Well deserved! 👏🎊
Appreciating the little things we have is vital and being able to use both limbs is definitely worth being grateful for.
Definitely won't be easy without two limbs, but there will always be ways to enjoy life regardless. Great outlook on life out there, but I hope you'll never have to be in this predicament 😄
Amen oo 😄😄, and you too
Both pairs of limbs are crucial and important, but I think arms are marginally more important. I've spent some time in a prosthetics hospital and have seen how some people can regain mobility with lower-limb prostheses. Hands on the other hand, are way more intricate; fingers especially, have the third most sensitive tips in our bodies after our tongues and genitals. The range of intricate movements carried out by fingers are also yet to be achieved by anything out there. Writing, typing, lifting, grabbing delicately, holding firmly, temperature sensitivity, e.t.c, e.t.c, make the hands irreplaceable I think.
I hope and pray to never have to chose, but I feel as though a person in a wheel chair with the use of their arms and hands is marginally better off than someone who can walk but cant use their arms/legs.
You must have seen quiet a few and your experience made it obvious and easy to choose hands over legs.
Like you said, may we not have reasons to choose because they are both vital