Dear Miss Roper, - I was much interested in your article "Dress For The Maimed", in a recent issue of "London Life." I am wondering if you will be good enough to give me your advice on one or two points. It will be necessary for me to give you some details regarding myself.
I am a crippled girl of 22 years, fair, and am considered very good looking - perhaps some compensation for being lamed for life.
I am 5 foot 9 inches in height, and of slight build. I was involved in a serious motor accident some time ago, in which my right leg and foot were badly damaged. A a result the bones of my leg and those of my foot refused to knit properly and I am left with my leg 10 inches short and a perfectly stiff knee. My foot is also quite stiff pointing downward, the instep being nearly in a strait line with the leg.
I am, of course, unable to use my leg at all, and it hangs clear of the ground gently swaying as I move about on a pair of smart ebony crutches. You will, of course, realise that my right shoe always looks new, as the foot never touches the ground, and I am unable to walk without my crutches.
I always wear Court shoes, either in brown or black patent leather, and I have found that I can wear quite comfortably, 3 3/4 inch heels, which are lower than I used to wear before I became a cripple.
I wear fairly short skirts, usually 14 inches or 15 inches above the ground, as I am rather proud of my shapely left limb, and even my crippled limb has lost none of its charm with the foot hanging limp and useless.
I have told you all this because I want you to know at the start that I am not one of those who think it necessary to hid one's attractions or be ashamed of one's afflictions.
Indeed I get a thrill at the feel of my crutches tucked snugly under my armpits and that I am to all intents and purposes one-legged - at least to the extent of being so entirely dependent on my crutches as my constant companions as means of progression.
I have several men friends who appear to be rather attracted by my lameness, and so I see no reason why I should not make the most of my natural attractions, and if my crippled state brings me their sympathy, help and kindness, I am quite prepared to dress (with reason) to please.
I am afraid I have written you rather a long account of myself, but I thought perhaps it would be best to do so before asking your advice as to whether (if you can at all picture me) it would be best to wear a tightish skirt for a coat and skirt ensemble of rather a fuller one.
I favour a tight one, but there would have to be enough play to allow for the slight sway of my short leg as I move.
Then as to evening frocks - naturally I could not wear these the usual length, as I think they would get in the way both of my crutches and my right foot, but at the same time I do not want them as short as my walking skirts.
Winter coats, too, are something of a problem, but no doubt you can give me some suggestions.
Lastly, what do you think is the highest heel I can wear with any reasonable degree of safety over and above the 3 3/4 inches. I am accustomed to?
I hope you do not mind my writing to you and that this letter has not bored you too much.
I would like to finish by saying that I think your sketch of a one-legged girl was excellent, but I think it would have been improved had she been drawn with her crutch (or crutches) under her arms.
Yours truly,
(Miss) A. J.