You have a medical condition and must permanently lose use of either both arms or both legs, but can choose. Which would you choose and why?
This is my field in real life and I'll choose wisely based on experience and what I see in my society
To start with, not being able to move or use both hands(upper limbs) can be termed diplegia while both legs(lower limbs) is called paraplegia although its still a form of diplegia. This can be due to various medical/neurological conditions but mostly spinal cord injury or stroke especially for the legs although its unusual to have upper limb paralysis alone. Neither of not being able to use the legs nor the hands will be cool but if I have a choice, I'll go for living without using my legs.
Why
I can't survive without these hands, its almost impossible. I'm a Dr by profession and I need these hands to examine my patients and document my findings.
All my medical skills are solely dependent on the use of my hands and this include performing surgeries.
Being able to communicate with people, use of mobile phones and computers which include using hive blog all depend on my hands.
I'll be able to feed my self and go about my day with mainly support for my mobility.
Explain how the loss would impact you
The basic function of the leg is to bear weight, for mobility and to do some skillful engagements like driving. These are key functions and I'll definitely miss them.
I like being private and independent but this will impose people on me because I'll always need them around me.
Life will be boring without the freedom to move about and stand without support. It will involve Being dependent on people for basic needs including bathing and using the toilet.
It will be frustrating and a lot of unexpected inhumane treatment will happen but then, its better than loosing my hands.
Looking beyond the physical impact, it will definitely affect my mental health.
- Low self esteem will most likely set in and one might be depressed at times.
- A lot of money will also be needed to live a relatively comfortable life but this might be challenging because of discrimination from people and job availability will be a problem here in Nigeria.
- It will affect the ability to have a spouse or to keep a partner because no one wants a liability as a life partner.
- Some medical conditions like wounds in the buttocks and thining out of the legs might happen due to repeated and prolonged sitting on one spot.
The list is endless.
What you would do to ensure you lived your best version of life after the loss.
Level of financial stability will go a long way to affect the quality of life one will have after the incidence.
Here in Nigeria, a very popular gospel musician comes to mind(Yinka Ayefele). His level of wealth and affluence is top notch And his condition of being bound to wheel chair even makes him stand out with preference in the community. In fact he's married with children. He's a good role model to crippled people and he's a proof that being crippled is not the end of life and also not an indication to not live the best version of one's life
"One thing I'll never do is to give up on myself and become a street beggar".
My first step will be to get an electronically customized wheel chair which will solve bulk of the anticipated physical challenges.
I'll employ a driver who will readily be at my service whenever needed.
I'll get a nanny who'll help out with basic needs at home including food.
Once these are sorted out, I'll focus more on improving my medical practice and fine tune my hospital theater setting to favour my wheel chair.
I'll also invest more time and develop my self further with online sources of income with hive and cryotocurrency trading included
It is easier said than done but these might be difficult to achieve in reality especially if not buoyant enough. I pray no one experiences being dependent.
Thank you for reading