Cripworld Guide to Amputation
What is a devotee?
Devoteeism or acromotophelia is the sexual attraction to people
with amputations.
Where are devotees found?
Devotees are known to put themselves into situations where
they have frequent opportunities to meet, interact, or otherwise
be exposed to amputees. Devotees have been found leading Amputee
support groups, involved in amputee/disabled sports events and programs
as coaches, volunteers and officials, in prosthetic facilities as prosthetists,
technicians and assistants and in orthopedic medical/rehab offices.
There have also been devotees acting as medical officers at the Paralympic
Games (one was in fact the medical officer to a European National Team).
What
is the difference between a devotee and a fetishist?
In my experience, there are 2 different types of devotees.
The devotee and the fetishist. I define the difference as one of
respect and adult/mature interaction with the amputee.
The devotee (also referred to as Admirer) is interested in the amputee and is up front
about the attraction.
These individuals find amputees "even more beautiful due to the amputation."
Devotees are motivated by the desire to be near and to assist and interact
with an amputee in a positive manner. Many devotees have been exposed
to amputees in a positive lifestyle situation (for example a family member,
parent, teacher or childhood friend may have been an amputee) which results
in a natural attraction to an amputee. The "stump" is not the object,
but is an attraction trigger. Devotees are known to build limbs,
design living aids and generally assist the amputee to whatever degree
they are able and some amputees consider this to be a positive addition
to their lives. In fact, there are amputees who are happily involved
with devotees due to the inherent nature of the situation.
Fetishists, on the other hand are of the opinion that "most people are
repulsed by amputees, but not me" thereby trying to insinuate that amputees
would be overlooked by the general population as potential mates/friends/lovers
etc. This is blatantly untrue, but serves their purpose of reducing
the amputee to a "stump" or objectifying the amputee and removing the person
from the equation. These people prey on new amputees and those with
low self-esteem and a negative body image. They take great pains
to reinforce these negative attitudes in order to make themselves appear
benign and to keep the amputee from rising above them.
Are they dangerous?
I do not consider Devotees dangerous. To a devotee, the
amputation is a trigger but not a fixation.
I also dont really consider Fetishists dangerous but their motivations
are physical, so if you're aware of it and ok with it, then go with your instincts. Knowing the difference is the biggest safety precaution you
can take.
Devotees are positive and up front about their attraction and are not
interested in reducing the amputee to an object.
Fetishists can usually be identified by their furtive methods, refusal
to leave you alone, harrassment and forced, unsolicited and/or surreptitious
photography. These individuals will also pose as family members of
amputees and ask very pointed, intrusive questions regarding personal aspects
of the amputation.
They are also known to frequent orthopedic wards and may often be the
first person they see after surgery.
Comments like "You are STILL attractive" and other comments designed
as negative reinforcement are also common.
Protection comes in many forms, including maintaining and developing
a strong sense of self worth and self-esteem and developing and maintaining
a positive body image. This is especially important with child amps
and those who are new amputees.
Do not allow photography of your residual limb or of your child by anyone
you do not know. There is no reason for a prosthetist or other pseudo-medical
person to need a photograph. This includes casting and testing sessions
as well as physiotherapy or gait training.
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