Dear Sir, - A friend has shown me some back numbers of "London Life", and as one-legged girls seem to be of interest to some of your readers I venture to send a few of my own confessions.
I am 27 years of age, and considered to be pretty. After a serious motor accident three years ago I came out of hospital with my left leg off and the possessor of a small round stump about 5 inches long.
At first I was very despondent and hated being an object of pity as I hopped about, but as I got confidence on my crutches I felt a new thrill in my life. I went away for a month to the seaside with a girl friend, and amongst strangers I gradually lost my shyness, although I was still stared at everywhere.
My friend encouraged me to dress smartly again and to wear a pretty shoe on my one foot; and, to my surprise I found the men friends we met most attentive to me, and about a year ago I was happily married to a dear boy who confessed that he had found my one leg an added attraction.
Soon after we became engaged he took me to London and bought me some very slender French crutches in black, an also an evening pair in white enamel, besides some very dainty high-heeled shoes. Curiously enough, he prefers me with one crutch and I therefore go generally out with him on my single black crutch.
In the house I generally hop about without any crutches, and the whole thing is really a question of balance. With perseverance a one-legged girl can do most things that other people can. I have seen a girl with a pin-leg - below knee amputation - ride a bicycle with a special pedal to receive the base of the leg. I have also seen one-legged men acrobats - men riding bicycle with a single crutch clipped to the side; and after three years on my single leg I am perfectly contended to remain a one-legged girl.
Your readers may wonder why I have not mentioned an artificial or even a pin-leg. The latter would be very awkward to wear with such a high amputation as mine, and although my friends have often urged me to have an artificial leg, the idea does not appeal to me, and my husband prefers me as I am.
I wish some of your readers who have such experiences would also send photos for publication, if it were only a back view. I should be pleased to send some snaps of myself on crutches, etc., in return, as I am not ashamed of being
Yours truly,
A One-Legged Girl