Theo's Story
Theodore Ball
Blackpool, United Kingdom
12 years old
Right leg amputee
Hi, my name is Theo, I am 12 years old, I am an amputee and no I do not aspire to be a Paralympian!
Don’t get me wrong; I love my sports and chances are you’ll always find me on a football pitch, in a swimming pool or simply outdoors doing just about everything that doesn’t involve tossing around a rugby ball, but I never understood why I am expected to either be a Paralympian or just another amputee…
I was six when I woke up in hospital following what the local papers described as a “horror crash”, and was immediately told by the doctors that they had to remove my right leg to save me. I didn’t seem to share my family’s devastation; the first thing I said was “at least I don’t have to walk anymore!”, as my mum and aunts laughed through their tears.
Maybe it’s a good thing that it happened while I was really young because ever since, my attitude was to just get on with it and try to live a normal life. Although my trips to the hospital are more frequent than the other kids, and I probably get a bit more attention from my parents than my three brothers, but at school, I join in activities, I study like everyone else and I hang out with two-legged friends who enjoy the daily demonstration of putting my prosthetic leg on after the swim practice. Some mornings, it can take longer than usual, other days I have to do completely without it and rely on my crutches instead, until the rash or soreness is gone.
I know it is unusual to see someone, specially my age, without a second leg, but I’m still not a fan of the constant staring and pointing. I do like however when people approach me and ask about it; I am happy to share my story, although it would be more fun if it involved a shark or a crocodile. Of course I get excited when I see my name in the papers sometimes, and I had a ball when I represented England in an international football competition, but I do not think that amputees should be valued by their sporting achievements, because there are plenty of other ways to make a difference. Maybe it is a natural connection since we spend so much time in rehabilitation, but I often worry that some of my peers feel pushed by their parents or society to become professional athletes in order to prove their worth.
“but I think the ultimate goal for an amputee, or any disabled person in general, is to have a normal life without feeling that they must do something extraordinary to finally be considered equal. ”
Losing a leg or an arm doesn’t affect your cognitive ability; one could still be a doctor or a lawyer or a software engineer. It is true that the best way to guarantee a high-quality of life is by staying active, and I am always inspired by extraordinary athletes that achieve greatness despite their disability, but I think the ultimate goal for an amputee, or any disabled person in general, is to have a normal life without feeling that they must do something extraordinary to finally be considered equal.
In saying that, it’s great that there is increased awareness and funding for disabilities. The London Paralympics were a sell-out, and the new rehabilitation facilities and programs are fantastic. Sometime I feel like I’m the only one in this country who doesn’t complain about our health system. One time my mum took me to a private hospital, and was told that they do not offer any additional services to those provided in a public one. Although, my parents still had to fork out some money to install a more accessible kitchen and bathroom at home, and to get me a climbing frame.
I do not think too far ahead of the future, but people always remind me that I am young, and that I may live to see revolutionary medical inventions that may even grow my leg back, but I am happy with my prosthetic for now.
I do however think of the near future; I am looking forward to finishing school so I can get started on my paramedic career. I want to be a first respondent; be there first on scene to hold the hand of a victim and comfort them. If he or she too must lose their leg, I can tell them they’ll be okay. Paramedics may not get the same exposure of paralympians, but their work is just as extraordinary, and it is just another way of making a difference.
More about Theo:
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/bravery-of-boy-who-lost-leg-in-crash-1-4432868/amp
https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/transport/plucky-theo-facing-operation-d-day-1-5589416/amp
By Michel Wahba