Dear Sir, - Although I must admit I am a reader of "London Life" of only three weeks standing, I have been kicking myself for not having bought my first copy years ago.
I think we should be very grateful to "One-legged Newlywed" for her interesting letter. But I am afraid I cannot agree with her choice of crutches. She advocates - as many others do - a single crutch of the underarm type, and gives four advantages of it, but does not mention any of the disadvantages.
Firstly, your are bound to spoil your clothes, both at the hip and under the arm. A fur coat would be impossible. Secondly you are inclined to walk with one shoulder higher than the other, with increased strain on the spine. And thirdly, the underarm type is awkward by virtue of its length. It has to be removed from under the arm whenever you want to stoop. If you go to a cinema or get into a car, there is this crutch, over 5 feet in length, to be put somewhere.
I am sure that your one-legged girl readers would never go back to an under-arm crutch once they had got used to the short crutch, of this description. Imagine your present crutches cut off 12 inches above the handle, with a leather ring at the top, through which you put your arms. This ring must not be higher than 3 inches below the elbow. They are very light and will not get in the way. Two crutches are required; but what a difference!
Miss Roper maintains that monopedes are not attractive in themselves, but only arouse greater courtesy and chivalry. I can't agree. A one-legged girl, I think, is a very charming person, and can look particularly attractive, providing, she is dressed correctly. She should, too, enter into as much sport as possible, for surely a girl that won't, only makes everything so much more difficult for her friends. Her self-consciousness adds to the embarrassment of those around her.
I should very much like to hear, through your columns, from anybody who thinks they might improve their crutches. I have a number of good ideas that I should be happy to suggest.
This is my first letter to "London Life," and I hope the editor will print it.
Wishing "London Life" the best of everything.
Yours truly,
La Jambe De Bois.