Dear Sir, - One of my closest friends, Peggy, has told me that she has recently written to your paper in the correspondence on one-legged girls. She did not mention a very remarkable friendship which has sprung up here, for she had not then had my approval. However, I think it will interest your readers, especially Olive Kent, and so I will tell you about it.
There are three of us here - Peggy, Anne, and myself (Elizabeth), and we are all one-legged cripples.
Peggy has told you her story, I know, but here are very brief details about us all.
Peggy, - Twenty-one years of age, brown hair, blue eyes, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, slim, with full-proportioned figure and a most perfectly shaped right leg. Left leg amputated 4 inches above knee when a schoolgirl, as a result of an accident in which she also smashed up one arm. Fond of cinema, dances, Court shoes, and "slacks."
Anne, - Nineteen and a half years of age, black hair, brown eyes, about 5 feet 6 inches, a little bit plump, with rather full figure. (She was two years in bed and three years wheeled in a chair from the age of 11.) Right leg amputated through middle thigh after accident at school at age of 11. Doctors spent 5 years trying to save the limb, and operated seven times before finally amputating. Fond of long walks (five or six miles on a special spring-topped pair of crutches is nothing. I can't keep up - mine have no springs!) needlework, cinema, and a man whom she met as a boy in hospital, where he had his left leg amputated after a cricket accident. They adore each other and are always going on long walks. He uses crutches too, instead of his artificial limb, and everyone turns to stare in admiration of this tragic yet gallant couple. They must be unique!
Elizabeth (me). - Twenty-two years of age, dark hair, blue eyes, 5 feet 4« inches tall, slim, medium figure (34 inches bust), right leg (unfortunately!) amputated three years ago after car crash in which my foot, ankle and half my shin were severed instantly. After a month in hospital, some infection was discovered at the top of my thigh, and consequently I lost the rest of my leg in its entirety.
Not the slightest possibility of anything but crutches. Very difficult balancing when sitting upright, as there is no support One advantage: no embarrassing outlines showing through tight or clinging or very thin dresses. Fond of swimming. (I can swim quite well, although with only one leg.)
My boy friend either takes my crutches at the edge of the water or carries me to and from the dressing room, for I am terrified of "hopping," lest I should have an accident to my left leg and loose that too. Legless, I do not know what I would do, as both my friends swinging on crutches would loose my friendship, as they would be unable to wheel me about, and my boy friend could hardly be expected to take to himself a legless wife.
Other "likes:" Cinema, car driving (by means of special controls).
Now for Miss Olive Kent.
We three, "Olive," are all "on crutches." We are young, great pals, and (we think) pretty. We are a bit nervous of having a photo published. But we want to go on as a stage act. Anne play piano, Peggy plays violin, and Elizabeth sings.
What would you do? Please give biographical details as above. This goes for all other would-be "cripples in harmony," too. Write to "London Life" please.
With best wishes,
Yours truly,
Elizabeth