Are you Aware . . .?

National “Awareness Month,” or as the National Archives calls them, Special Emphasis Programs Observances (SEP for short), began actually as a “day” in 1910 with International Women’s Day. The day became a week in this country with Women’s History Week in 1978, and finally a month by the authority of Public Law 103-22 Statute 58 in 1987. The next oldest SEP was also a week first before becoming a month, inaugurally celebrated in 1926, is African American History. It became a month in 1976 by Public Law 99-244, 100 Statute 6. There are seven SEPs under the authority of the United States government. Administratively, they fall under the jurisdiction of Equal Employment Opportunity Program.  December, July, and oddly, April has no National Month. I say oddly, because here it is April, and I want to make you aware of the two things this month you should be aware of and are probably not.

I have been an amputee for nearly 38 years.
More than half my life.
The lack of awareness has decreased significantly since 1984.

Not by public law, or Executive Order, or Presidential Proclamation; the three ways to become an official National Awareness Month, have either garnered enough attention and support to warrant recognition by law, but still enough they are indeed recognized. Both affect me directly.

Are any of you aware that it is National Donate Life Month? I’m aware it is because of someone I know. My friend Jack, who I went to school with when I was a kid, is an organ recipient. I know this through the magic of social media. I have admired Jack’s zest for life. I enjoy his pictures taken among wildlife refuges while walking his dog. I get a kick out of his food porn. I became aware Jack was an organ recipient when Jack posted about his checkups. I was unaware at the time I was now aware.

I thought it curious someone would post something so personal or mundane, depending on how you judge postings, as a doctor’s appointment. Yes, I use the word judge, because who the hell am I to deem what is and isn’t appropriate. But that’s what I did when I saw it over a decade ago. However, Jack’s posting made me aware he received multiple organs from another amazing human being. Yes, I use the word amazing, because that’s exactly Jack and the donor are, amazing. Jack for his undying gratitude that emanates from his posts, and the donor for checking a box that selflessly gives another human being a second chance at life with their death. I have been a donor for years, but my motivations were very black and white with little to do with how I was giving someone a second chance. Jack made me aware how important my decision is. I hope the person who gets my goods if they’re still good has a good rest of their life.

The other “Awareness” you should be aware of hits closer to home. April is National Limb-Loss Awareness Month. I became aware of this about seven years ago. As some of you are aware, I have lost a limb, but that does not mean you are aware there was a month for others to become aware. You should be aware of these individuals every day. Some of you are not, nor do you give it much thought. This is why I waited for the end of the awareness month to post about those who may be unaware.

Many amputees are extraordinary individuals. I have met many over the years. I recently went to a Gatoramps meeting here in Gainesville where I met some more amputees that I was in awe of. Not all amputees fall into this category which makes the extraordinary ones even more extraordinary. Are you aware that there are only about a half-million traumatic amputees in this country? There are millions, but many of those amputees suffered from cancer, diabetes, poor circulation, and gangrene. These people have time to prepare for what’s coming. Trauma amputees do not. This is not to say the limb loss itself is any less traumatic, but the way it’s processed by the mind differs immeasurably. Traumatic amputees between the ages of 18-35 have a hugely disproportionate suicide rate. Once the smoke clears and a traumatic amputee decides to be their best version of themselves, you really should be aware of the odds of that happening among amputees are disproportionate as well.

I have been an amputee for nearly 38 years. More than half my life. The lack of awareness has decreased significantly since 1984. Then, I felt my acting career was over due to the lack of successful amputee actors. My head told me to give up. So I did. The first global Paralympic Games were held in 1976. In 1988, I was invited to try out for the “standing volleyball team.” I could not get time off from my job to participate my company was so unaware. So I gave up. Today, sponsorships and endorsements flourish among amputee athletes.

I am grateful to those who became amputees serving our country in the skirmishes in the Middle East and elsewhere. If not for them, there would not be the advancements made in prosthetics that benefit so many. The only good thing to come from war as I see it.

Today, I see unaware, able-bodied, young, self-absorbed entitled people continue to park in the handicapped spaces “just to run in for . . .” which many amputees rely on so they can use those steps for something more fulfilling to their quality of life. Sorry to be such an imposition. I have been told on more than one occasion, “I didn’t realize your leg is missing.” It often takes awhile for people to become aware. I refuse to use a wheelchair, which doctors said I’d be in by sixty. That ship sailed. Two years ago, my son felt it best if I bought a cane. I have used it less than sparingly. Maybe it’s my own fault for my lack of making people aware by trying too hard to make them aware I can do what they can do. Hey Jack, like you, I have a life I am grateful for. Unlike you, my zest for life comes from having something removed rather than added. I didn’t know if you aware of that. We are truly amazing.