Dear Sir, - In the current issue I see that "Husband of Single Heel" thinks that I have been severe in my criticism of my fellow-cripples. I do fee1 that he is doing me an injustice which I resent. The only people against which I am embittered are those of your readers who believe that the display of injured limbs is alluring and has erotic influences.
May I here point out what I think of Wallace Stort's stories. wonder just what kink in his brain makes him enthuse upon lovely womanhood which has been spoiled by the surgeon's knife.
I realise that many people like his stories, but I do know that an even greater number are appalled and sickened by them.
I am all in favour of disguising the crippled state by pretty dressing that will hide the maltreated limb, and for that reason I agree with "Husband of Single Heel" when he states that crutches of a light and dainty make are preferable to peg-legs.
I often think that the correspondents who aver that their limblessness is attractive in itself is that they seek to cover up hideous reality by a pleasant fable in which they at last come to believe.
Getting away from reality is the necessary adjunct to every cripple's welfare, but to let it become an obsession which finally becomes nauseating to others shows evidence both of mental as well as bodily infirmity.
We cripples must face up to the realities of life and accept our bitter fate with as much cheerfulness as we can muster, but let the gods forbid that we come to glory in an exhibitionism that can only be compared to that of the Eastern beggar who exhibits filthy sores and wounds in order to extract alms from the crowds.
Imitators of Wallace Stort's unnatural heroines are doing nothing more nor less than attempting to solicit the alms of passion and attraction as well as a morbid sympathy by a too frank exhibition of heir maltreated torsos, is the opinion of
Crippled Girl.