When I became an amputee(被截肢者) at the age of 29, I was forced to rethink the idea of physical perfection. My life became 1as I changed from an acceptably attractive woman to an object of pity and2.
Too busy 3 physical pain and obvious limitation of movement. I was not aware of this4at first. There were so many difficulties before me. But I was determined to manage my work and life as well as before, feeling inspired about the progress I had 5.
6 as I made my first journey outside the hospital, society had already regarded me as a new status. Happy to be free of my 7 in the hospital, I rolled through the shopping mall as a 8 survivor, feeling like a war hero. Unfortunately, I got a rude9as I discovered that others did not view me in the way I had come to view myself.
All eyes were upon me, yet no one dared to make eye contact. Their efforts to10my eyes forced me to realize they only saw my missing legs. Mothers 11 held their children closer as I passed. Elderly women patted me on the head saying “God Bless You!” with 12 in their eyes.
While I sat thinking about what had happened, a small girl came up to me. She stared with unembarrassed 13 at the empty trousers. Finding nothing there, she looked up at me with a 14 look, and childishly asked, “Lady, where did your legs go?”
I explained that my legs had been sick. Since my legs hadn't been strong and healthy like hers, the doctors had to 15 them. Leaning her head upwards, she asked, “Did they go to ‘Leg Heaven'?”
That incident made me think about how16children and adults react to the unknown. To a child, a new appearance is an interesting curiosity and a learning experience,17adults often observe the same thing with horror. I began to realize that I also had been guilty of the same unsuitable reactions before I knew what life was like for an amputee.
To fulfill the wholeness of my mind and spirit, I now smile warmly, make eye 18 and speak in a 19 manner. By using a positive approach, I attempt to make society know the fact that having a not-so-perfect body doesn't mean having a 20 quality of life. We disabled people also enjoy a colorful life.
