Dear Sir, - I have just only made up my mind to write to you or the subject of "Limbless Beauties". It was because of my disabilities that I came to know your paper - a friend of mine jokingly telling me he could cure me of sensitiveness.
I was informed some time ago that it would be possible to communicate with others similarly situated to myself - through you. Is this so? This is my main reason for writing, as I cannot imagine others being interested unless they themselves are of the Limbless Brigade.
I am 23 years of age, tall and dark. Eighteen month ago I had my photo accepted in a beauty competition, but did not comply with the request for a full-length photo. The one I sent was merely head and neck.
Well, to get over the sensitiveness, I have only one leg and one arm - the result of enteric fever about four years ago. Luckily, if one can say so- I lost the opposite limbs - that is, my left leg and right arm.
I would like to tell you of some of my experiences, because I certainly have found it wise to ignore my limbless condition as much as possible; but I am still very shy of strangers. I am very active, and as the enteric fever sort of concentrated only in my left leg and right arm, I am still very fit after many years of physical exercise, tennis and other games.
I can ride a bicycle, but I don't fancy it when anybody is about. I have often gone for a ride with my friend in the evenings away from the town, and have sometimes ridden entirely alone. I have felt very shaky, and just forced myself to do it, and once met with a very embarrassing experience.
I had my bicycle fixed, the unnecessary pedal removed, and also free-wheel. My friend fixed a rifle-carrying arrangement up for my crutch, an by starting off from home down hill I manage quite well.
I decided some time ago that a peg-leg was lighter, more convenient and, with the exception of a party night, I always use it, but cannot use it on my bicycle.
The embarrassing thing happened only a few months ago. I cannot imagine it interesting to anyone else unless they are similarly situated.
I had set off just after dark, and risked going through the quieter parts of the town; and, of course, on that night of all nights something happened. It was rather windy, and I was wearing a thin mac over my frock, the frock being rather on the short side.
Anyway the tail of the mac got into the chain and that, of course, had to happen underneath a street light. I fell to the left, luckily, and was able to save myself a bit. Had it been the other way I must have had a bad fall at least.
I was more shocked than hurt, naturally, because it was the first time that I dared out; and, of course, it had to happen on a light part, with several people about! The bicycle slithered some distance away from me, and there I was without a crutch. Now it is all over I can laugh; but to have to hop about two or three yards in full view of others was very uncomfortable, and I cannot imagine anybody doing it for amusement! At any rate, it brought me a very dear friend who, seeing my predicament, came to my assistance, made me get into his vanette, and put my bicycle into the back and drove me home. I had same bruises, but nothing to worry about. So that's that.
I notice some of your correspondents describing their shortcomings; so will I. The remains of my left leg is very short. In fact if it was any shorter I would not have been able to wear a peg-leg. I decided that an artificial leg was so really obvious that I might just as well go the whole hog and wear the ordinary pin wooden leg.
I think my past life must have helped me a lot, being athletic all my life f have managed to overcome my handicap better than many would, I have no doubt. I have walked as much as five miles, but that is very tiring and uncomfortable. For ordinary needs walking comes quite easy. In fact the loss of my arm helps me to forget my leg. It is the arm I miss most.
I wear an artificial arm, but it is of absolutely no use to me, except to cover up the fact that my right arm is missing. Unless I am going into company I never use it, and similarly at home I always use the peg-leg or my crutch.
I can write with my left hand, but it seems more effort than riding a bicycle and many other things I do. I did manage to raise courage to go for a swim, but am scared stiff of anyone coming along. I always used to bathe in the river, close by. It is shaded, but difficult to approach - for me.
Yours truly,
RUTH. (South Africa)