Aimee Mullins

Aimee Mullins is a double leg amputee.  She lost both her legs in childhood to a genetic disease.  As an adult she is a recognized athlete, model, actress and activist. She graduated from Georgetown University with a double major in history and diplomacy and is a tireless advocate for the disabled. She has been named one of the fifty most beautiful people in the world by People Magazine. This woman has accomplished more than I ever will, and has done it with a grace and dignity I can only hope to aspire to. In a Tedtalk labeled “Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs” She discusses how people with disabilities can not only have their missing legs or arms modified but improved far beyond normal human capabilities. She augments her body (legs) by changing into different pair of legs almost as if they’re shoes. Having everything from cheetah legs, legs with potatoes growing in them and tentacle legs. She uses an example of how one of her friends said how it’s not fair that she can change her height and abilities how she pleases. The way of thinking about people with disabilities having prosthetics isn’t about over coming deficiency and replacing what was once lost.  The way of thinking has changed to what they can put in the place, it turns lost into a incredible potential. People who were once disabled can now design their bodies and empower themselves with technology. These modifications can either be very functional such as Mullins’ pair of running legs which mimic a runner’s foot causing her to sprint much faster than normal people could to the pair of tentacle legs which serve no other reason than to be aesthetic. Aimee Mullins has not only faced her disability, she has embraced it; with courage, humility and even humor. During the Tedtalk she says "Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than I do.  Nobody calls her disabled." Having this ability to change legs has empowered her and I would imagine other people as well to live greater and fuller lives. These types of modifications to someone who has no legs or arms makes one wonder weather if they really should be considered “disabled”, although I know not everyone can afford such modifications people like Aimee Mullins pave the path for people. Maybe one-day amputees will have prosthetic arms and legs that will far exceed normal human abilities putting them in a cyborg category being mostly human but having so many extra abilities to choose from makes you wonder who’s really going to be the one who’s limited. This woman has a voice, which should be heard.  I encourage you to listen to her interviews and seminars.