Dear Sir, - Whilst on my honeymoon two months ago, I bought a copy of "London Life" at a railway bookstall and, to my pleasant surprise, read a very charming letter from a one-legged girl who signed herself "One-handed monopede." I thoroughly enjoyed reading this letter as I also am one-legged; but I had never heard of a one-legged girl described as a monopede before.
I am 24 years of age, and my husband is four years older. He simply spoils me in every way, being so kind and generous to me.
When I was twenty I developed a kind of poisoning in my right foot, which spread up my leg, and it became necessary for me to have my leg amputated. The doctor informed my parents that there was no time for delay, and I was rushed off to a nursing home, and the same afternoon my right leg was amputated above the knee.
When I sufficiently recovered, I realised that my sports activities were finished. However, I was soon hopping about on my one leg, with the aid of a single slender crutch, and trying hard to forget the days when my left leg shared its attractiveness with another.
I am a little over the average height, with jet black hair, which I wear in a bun on the nape of my neck. I am rather fond of make-up, and use mascara and shading. I am more than generous with lipstick, giving a good coating of vivid scarlet to my lips; but I do not use rouge, preferring the natural pallor of my cheeks, which is intensified by my heavily carmined lips.
My husband is in a large way of business, and makes me more than an adequate dress allowance, and I do full justice to it; but he doesn't mind because he tells me that he loves me to show off pretty generously my one and only leg to its fullest advantage, and so to please him and, incidentally, myself, I do so, by having my frocks made short.
I have several crutches but prefer one which my hubby had made as a present for me when we were engaged, being of lovely polished ebony, with real silver fittings. Two others I have bought since I have been married, for evening use, are scarlet and bright green respectively.
I know that this question of crutches is a difficult proposition to we one-legged girls, but I maintain that a single crutch is infinitely more advantageous to a one-legged girl than a pair, and in support of this I give my personal reasons.
Firstly, you have one hand entirely free. Secondly, it is entirely impossible for the crutch to slant out at an awkward angle, and the rubber tip is only a couple of inches from my single foot as it touches the ground. Thirdly, it is far easier to remove from under my arm when I am shopping and desire to sit down. Fourthly, the discomfort that I suffer at times through continuously having a crutch under my right armpit as it presses against the sensitive soft flesh is only under one armpit, whereas it would be under two if I used a pair of crutches of the armpit type.
I have never worn trousers or shorts like some of your one-legged girl readers, preferring to display my one-legged charms in a single stocking of perfect fit.
One day I asked my hubby if he would not prefer me to have two legs instead of just one, and I shall never forget as he looked at me as he said:
"I married you because I love you, and also because you are one-legged; and if I tell you the honest truth, I think it is your one-leggedness which predominates - "
I gently squeezed his arm as I said:
"I am glad you do not regret having a one-legged wife."
He will not let me drive a car, as he says it is too much strain for my one leg. Of course we are unable to use it much now. I have had a luminous disc fitted close to the rubber tip at the bottom of my crutch, which shows up in the blackout, and this helps to prevent anyone accidentally kicking it. Now is the only time I have really missed my leg, but I am gradually getting accustomed to taking extra precaution against hurting myself in these enforced dark times.
I have taken up voluntary work in an office, and in the evenings I attend sewing classes twice a week. So I am trying to be of some use, in spite of my disability.
I hope that this letter is not too long, and that it is suitable for publication in "London Life," and trust that it will interest other readers who are like myself and understand what it means to realise that for the rest of your life you are destined to hop on just one leg, knowing perfectly well that all the regrets in the world will not restore your lost shapely limb again.
with every best wish to "London Life."
Yours truly,
One-Legged Newly Wed.