Dealing with a malfunctioning prosthetic
Joe: You know, when it comes to the leg, it’s quite funny because when that thing falls apart and it’s a public place, everyone around you just takes a look at you, and they’re like, “…Okay…”
Mom: Joe fortunately has a personality where he loves the shock and awe factor, so that’s been a blessing.
Joe: I have a good sense of humor, so whenever my leg falls apart, I may be the first to react.
Joe, pre-teen, and mother, Reticular hemangioma
Everybody knows the kid with one leg
Mom: Starting at the new school we looked forward to a lot. We’re from out west, and we’ve always put it out there because then what? And so everybody at school knows who Joe is and he really has never met any of them, that is always an interesting transition. He really takes everything with tremendous stride.
Joe: “Hey, there’s Joe! How are ya? Hey, buddy…”
Mom: So just because his innate tendencies that situation has never been socially a problem.
Joe: You know, just kind of walking in there like, “Hey, Joe!” “Heyyy, how are ya? … Who the heck is that?” You know, you turn around afterwards and you’re like, who was that? It’s the funniest thing because people will tell them about me and then they’ll immediately kind of know.
Joe, pre-teen, and mother, Reticular hemangioma
Robot leg is one of my favorites
Joe: Another thing is what people call it, just the funniest thing ever. Like, when I’m with the younger kids, parents will be so nervous that I get offended by this, and kids will walk by, and they’re like, “Hey, look at that guy with the metal leg!”
Mom: Or robot leg.
Joe: Yeah, robot leg is one of my favorites.
Mom: We’ve had more issues with trying to train parents that it’s okay than children.
Joe: Yeah, they’re like, “Oh, my god, I’m so sorry.” I’m like, “It’s fine!”
Mom: And we’ll have a group of kids that are like, [gasps], and I’ll say, “Joe, looks like all these kids are fascinated with your leg, why don’t you show them how it works?” It’s just we’ve always handled it just like that. It’s the easiest way to do it.
Joe: Parents are way, way, way, way more offended— the kids are like, “Oh, god.”
Mom: So sometimes when the parents say, “Don’t say anything to him about it,” it’s like, okay, you know, it is what it is.
Joe, pre-teen, and mother, Reticular hemangioma
It’s truly a part of who he is
Mom: When people get to know you and they see your leg first, is it different than if you get an opportunity to meet them as Joe before? Because the leg takes on its own personality.
Joe: I’m usually not that shy about it at all, so usually before I get to know them personally, I just go, like, “Hey, what’s up?” and pick up my leg and just kind of sit there.
Mom: It’s truly just part of who he is.
Joe, pre-teen, and mother, Reticular hemangioma
I love explaining it
Joe: I love explaining it. I love being able to lift my leg for the first time and everyone looking at me like I have three eyes. It’s funny. It’s very funny to look at them and they’ll all look at you and they’re like, “…” you know.
Mom: We’ve always told Joe from the get-go that everybody’s got something. Some are more visible than others. It’s actually easier to just deal with something visible than something that’s not, and Joe is innately born with more tolerance and social ability than most people are. We are so thankful he’s shared those traits with us.
Joe, pre-teen, and mother, Reticular hemangioma