Humor Has Healing Power After Amputation
Two Couples Find That Laughter is Medicine After Loss of Limb
Nov 3, 2009
Two couples lived in different eras yet shared an unusual link: both spouses of each couple experienced an amputation. Although each person grieved over the loss of a limb, each also found a healing power and emotional strength in laughter.
Phelps Couple Enjoys a Good Laugh After Amputations
Jay lost his left leg in 1994, and Liz lost three fingers on her left hand in 1997. “Yes, we are the official prosthetic poster children,” says Liz in October 19 and 26, 2009 interviews. Liz reflects on the days soon after her injury and remarks that “the very, very best cards are the funny ones” when asked about the support of friends who wished her well after the accident. Liz was always one to find the humor in a situation before her accident, and her injury did not change her positive personality.
Liz found that “professionalism and a good sense of humor takes you further in life than any education or good looks could ever do” as she learned that she was still sought after for modeling jobs despite her injury. Liz partially attributes that to her ability to put others at ease.
Even though Liz’s husband, Jay, nearly died three times during surgery after his accident, he too finds humor in the situation. Liz reports that they “are invited to a Halloween party and Jay is going as a one-legged pirate. His grave stone at the party will read 'one foot in the grave.' Don't you just love it?”
When approaching others, Liz and Jay have found that humor may encourage others to look past their injuries. “We have really great one-legged man jokes. Jay and I love to see people's reactions when we joke about our injuries. It puts them at ease and opens the door for them to appease their curiosity, then we all move on.”
Myer Couple Found Humor in Their Amputations
According to an October 29, 2009 interview with Evelyn Looney, the daughter of Clarence and Allene Myer, “The day after (Mrs. Myer's leg} amputation was April 1. When (she) first woke up she said in alarm, 'Evelyn, get my foot out of the end of this bed. I caught it some way.' I check and scooted her one and only foot over. She grimaced and said, 'No, my other one.' Suspecting that her pain meds were messing with her mind, I then tried to delicately explain about her amputation. She stopped me mid-sentence and shouted ‘April Fool!’”
“(Mrs. Myer) named her prosthetic leg ‘Stubby’ and talked to it like it was her buddy. Another time she had an embarrassing thing happen when she was brought home from the hospital in an ambulance. She was so weak she couldn't do anything to help herself. The young man trying to scoot her up in bed finally forcefully slid her on the sheet. It left him almost directly above her . . . and as luck would have it ‘Stubby’ gave a sudden reflex action and hit him in the crotch. He was totally stunned, and I'll bet he will find another way to scoot people up in bed . . . especially those with a ‘Stubby’ leg that has excellent aim. Later, after (Mrs. Myer) got her strength back, she saw the humor in it.”
“One time (Mrs. Myer) was worried that her new leg couldn't go through the leg of her new capri pants. I finally put the pants on one of my legs, stuck the prosthetic leg in the other leg, then sat on the bed with my legs crossed. It took a long time for (Mrs. Myer) to realize she had a three legged daughter. She insisted on making a picture so she could share the story with visitors.”
“When (Mrs. Myer) had her church ladies meeting the first time after getting her new leg, she passed it around the room and let everyone feel it. They were especially impressed when (Mrs. Myer) pointed out that it didn't have varicose veins like her old leg. Each lady found something funny to say about it and (Mrs. Myer) led the laughter. Some of the ladies compared it to their legs…it made a great conversation piece.”
“(Mr. Myer), who lost part of his pinky finger in an electrical accident, told some of the kids that a steam boat ran over his finger when he was in the Navy. Others he told that a mouse bit it off when he reached into (his wife's) flour bin. The one he enjoyed the most was about the booger biting it off when he picked his nose. Then he would stick his stub in his nose and it looked like it was in up to the second joint. He used that story any time he caught one of the grandchildren picking their nose.”
Laughter Can Help People Heal After Amputation
People who experience an amputation may feel as if they may never live a happy or full life again. Although it is normal to grieve the loss of a limb, many amputees find that there is a healing power in laughter that can enable them to face the future with a new hope and a positive outlook that may also help those around them.
Readers may also wish to read the following articles:
- Living a Full and Happy Life After Amputation, which gives advice from the perspective of someone who has experienced an amputation.
- How to Help Someone Who Has an Amputated Limb, in which a survivor of an amputation gives practical advice for people who wish to help someone who experiences the loss of a limb.
- Guide Dogs and Service Dogs Help Disabled Vets, which provides information about two programs that offer low cost or no cost dogs to disabled veterans.
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