I am going to try and describe what it is like putting on a prosthetic leg and taking it off. Here are some "technical" terms:
Stump- my little leg
Socket- the top part of my prosthesis that is hard
Liner- the little socket that goes on my stump like a thick sock and last.
"Each mornin I wake up, before I put on my make up." I have to put my leg on so I can get around. The first thing I do is put some baby powder on my stump so it lessens the friction on my skin while walking. Next I put on my liner, it is made of some kind of silicone. It is about six inches long. I have to roll it on to my stump. After that Spray the inside of the socket with a mixture of alcohol and water. I do this because the liner has baffles on it that causes suction. Next I push down inside the leg to get the air out. You could imagine putting boots that were suction and you would do the same process.
Normally I before I step into my leg I turn my leg upside down so my foot is in the air and the top of the socket or the thigh part is on the ground. Next I dress my leg I put my on pants, socks, and shoe. Then I turn it over and step in the leg. My mom said she had use her skills she learned in her childhood from playing dolls to dress my leg when I was little. Good thing she played dolls a lot. ;) Once my leg is on I can walk on with my morning and put on my make up. When my day is done I get to take my leg off, and after a long day it is one of the highlights of my day. In fact, I think I may have a look on my face like a dog does when you are scratching behind its ears. This is most likely because I scratch my stump for a few minutes when I take my leg off.
To take my leg off there is a little air valve on the side that I push and the suction is loosened and my leg comes off. Yes there has been moments when the suction doesn't work and my leg falls off. One time I was in church parking lot on my way into the build and in mid step my leg lost suction... it was awkward for me and the guy I was with. I had to a "hurry and step back into my and not flash the poor guy" ninja move. We walked silently into church. Oh dear... that is a day in the life of an amputee.
