Ma jedną nogę 2,5 cm dłuższą
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Story from Jam Press (Lower Limb Differences)
Pictured: Lauren’s hips before and after a hip replacement surgery in December 2015.
'One of my legs is 2.5cm longer – strangers stare and ask if they can pray for me'
A woman who has lower limb differences has revealed how she overcame her “embarrassment” to advocate for inclusivity.
Lauren Waddell was born with bilateral clubfoot and her right leg is 2.5 cm longer than her left.
When the now, 31-year-old was less than two days old, she had a seizure and a cardiac arrest that also left her with lower limb paralysis.
Lauren has since regained some movement in her legs, but still has decreased strength and muscle tone, and has undergone multiple surgeries, including a total hip replacement.
Although she is “healthy and happy”, she sometimes gets rude and invasive comments when she's out in public from people who assume she needs to be “cured”.
"Once, I had a lady approach me and ask if she could pray for me," Lauren, a government contractor from Pennsylvania, US, told Need To Know.
"I was just a teenager at the time.
“I found it really annoying and inappropriate.
"I allowed her to stand and pray for a minute and then I went on my way.
“I always try to just end these awkward interactions as fast as humanly possible.
"Ideally, I would love to be bold enough to politely decline if that happened again, but I tend to people-please with these situations as a way to end them faster so I can get on with my day.
“People often assume I am in pain and injured.
"I've had a handful of strangers directly ask me in a concerned tone, 'Are you okay?'
"These instances usually happen when I'm out shopping or checking out at a store.
"I once had a store worker ask me if I needed a scooter.
“I assured him I was okay and did not need any assistance.
“These comments are usually not coming from a mean place, but I find it annoying that strangers feel entitled to approach me in public and ask embarras
2024-04-23
Jam Press/East News
Jam Press
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