Wednesday, April 16, 2008

spare parts

I've been putting it off forever, but I finally called the prosthetist today because, well...my big toe fell off.

So I ordered new suspension liners (links so you geeky types can look at my gadgetry) and will soon have an appointment to get the cosmetic covering redone, foot included. I'm still contemplating getting an airbrushed tattoo and I've got a plan for some serious pedicures, because guess what I found at the store the other day?

Press-on TOENAILS. I kid you not.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've got to get some liners before much longer - one side tends to split open at the bottom and I have to stuff it with cotton.

Anonymous said...

Oh, come on, this is a perfect excuse to go for the Cylon Model 2000©!!!

Jay G said...

Dunno, Robb. I hear those cost an arm and a leg...

(Please forgive me, Breda, I just couldn't resist...)

me said...

Not to try to pry too much, but being an FX geek who plays with all kinds of fun chemical goos and stuff that (usually) came from some other industry AND somewhat ignorant of what real working prosthetics are made made of can you clue me in?

I've thought about trying to get into a lab that makes the "real" ones but have heard too often from folks who try that unless you pay your dues (expensive schooling and imho unnecessary hoops to jump through) you'll never get a job in a place like that.

It bums me out because I know that kind of thing is a hell of a lot more important then screwing around making zombies or things that get used once and pitched in the name of entertainment. I'm sure I'm "romanticizing" it a bit probably, but knowing a guy who lost a leg thanks to VA butchery and inaction (during basic) and reading the occasional post here on the topic bums me out...like I'm pissing up a rope wasting skills or something.

Not that it matters, but being an FX artist means having to know how to do lots of stuff from all kinds of areas...not enough to get you real paying work in any of them, just enough to get by in the FX/entertainment world.

sorry for the long winded semi-OT post, but I'm just curious. Feel free to tell me to go to hell if it's not something you wish to discuss in detail.

breda said...

ben = spiffmo = amputee? AWESOME!

robb - jayg has it right, actually. I'm going with the basic model, the only one I can afford.

Hobbit - if you follow the links, it might give you some idea. It's basically fiberglass (I think?) socket, and a composite foot covered by some sort of cosmetic foam rubber-ish covering. The foot covering also has Kevlar to help with durability.

Jay G said...

"The foot covering also has Kevlar to help with durability."

Bulletproof feet. Someone should tell Obama about this development...

Xavier said...

Point of curiosity........
Do the women's feet come with a space between the big and second toe for sandals?

Christina RN LMT said...

Press-on toenails?! Well, as long as you don't do the French pedicure thing, that's hideous as far as I'm concerned! So, what kind of tattoo(s) are you interested in?

breda said...

Xavier - some women's feet do come with a separate big toe, but I've never had one because I think I'd probably break it off in a week and a half. I'm notoriously tough on my feet.

Christina - no French pedis! I agree, they are ugly. I'm thinking a nice blue or maybe a glittery red.

breda said...

oh, and, not sure about the tattoo yet.

Dr. StrangeGun said...

I'm going to hell.... OWWco.com.

Anonymous said...

Kevlar foot. I'll bet dollars to donuts that Ms. Breda is more than "Profession-oh Enuff" to handle a pistol.

- Brad_in_MA

NotClauswitz said...

Hawaiian tattoos are kinda cool and mostly geometric. I'd avoid representationalism - fluffy bunny and ANY Disney stuff whatsoever, but that's just me.

Anonymous said...

Breda, if the sockets are a black color and look "woven" it's carbon fiber, that's what mine are. I need to tell you sometime about a sudden hardware failure I had two years ago. I guess if NASA were involved they would have called it "catastrophic."

Anonymous said...

Hey Breda,

Just curious, althought I have no reason I *need* to know, but was your ampution the result of an injury or a medical treatment?

Like I said, I don't need to know, so if you decline to answer, that's fine.

Rob

breda said...

Trebor/Rob - I was born with a birth defect on my left leg below the knee (basically it was all screwed up) and the doctors thought I'd be better off without it. They were right.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Breda-
I have been a machinist and a welder for many many years. Some time ago a young man with a broken prosthetic leg came to my shop on crutches. He worked high steel and broke the foot off while many hundreds of feet above the dirt. I installed a bigger bolt, and later a bigger bolt, and then a bigger bolt. We ended up with a 1/2" grade 8 bolt holding his foot on. Either that one worked, or he didn't survive the failure, because I haven't seen him since.

Anonymous said...

Breda, we have similar amputations. Below knee, left leg, due to my leg being "messed up at birth". I agree, much better off without. One question for you, I'm 42 now, after 40+ years of hauling this thing around on my left leg, my left thigh is about 30% larger than my right. My wife says I've got a great 1/2 arse. :) Is there a size difference between your upper legs?
Also, on my leg, I had the orthotics company laminate a t-shirt on it, its very durable. It's all hacked up now but you can still see what it is without a problem. My only mistake was getting a white t-shirt, turned yellow after the lamination.

breda said...

Chris in PHX- I'd have to check to be 100% positive, but I think my asscheeks are equal.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Breda. Just confirms my belief that I'm a freak of nature. Oh well, gotta play the cards I'm dealt right?

breda said...

Chris - maybe wear a really heavy shoe on your right foot?

Anonymous said...

That'll work, by the time I'm 84, both cheeks will be symmetrical!