I am asking for art help from people with prosthetics.

So, I like drawing.

Several different types of styles really, I'll go cartoonish, semi realistic, lined, or lineless, etc.

Normally I'm good at picking up how to draw different mobility aids. All I usually need is to see what they look like, see them in use, and see ranges of mobility one would have using them.

I can draw crutches, weight supporting canes, mobility canes, different types of wheelchairs, and walkers, all due to myself or a friend or family member using them and myself being able to have easy reference.

I have realized now that I don't have any idea how to draw prosthetic limbs though.

I have seen pictures on google, looking up references, but all I'm finding is mostly stock photos, 90% are in practically the same pose, and/or they're the wrong type of prosthetic for my art piece, and I haven't been able to make them look good in my art because of this.

My focus in the moment for the art piece that I want to do would be above knee prosthetics and above elbow prosthetics. I do want to learn how to draw all types of prosthetics though because I want to make my art more inclusive off all kinds of people.

If anyone with prosthetics would be comfortable dming me to tell me what kind of range, mobility, and limitations you might have with your prosthetics, and maybe a picture or two that I could use to reference in my art, I would be ridiculously grateful.

Please and thank you.

Double amputee getting dressed

Enjoying life and thankful to be alive

Alena in the Snow (short story)

Once, during my high school years, I developed a crush on a girl named Alena. She was captivating in a way that seemed almost unattainable to me. We went to the same school, but she seemed to belong to a different world, one that I could only admire from a distance.

Years passed, and life took us on separate paths. Alena's parents lived not far from my place, a gentle reminder of a past affection, but with time, she became a distant memory, a flicker of teenage yearning that faded into the backdrop of my life.

However, fate has a peculiar way of reweaving old threads. When Alena was 23, she fell gravely ill. I only learned of her condition when it had escalated dramatically. She was hospitalized, battling a severe illness that resulted in the necrosis of her lower arms and both legs. The news struck me with a profound sadness, reviving emotions I thought were long gone.

Driven by a mix of concern and revived affection, I found myself at her bedside in the hospital. She was unconscious, unaware of my presence, but I stayed there, silently supporting her in her fight for life. It was during those quiet, somber moments that I realized the depth of my feelings for her.

Miraculously, Alena survived. I was there when she woke up, offering a familiar face amidst the disorientation and fear. In those vulnerable moments, our connection rekindled, growing stronger with each passing day.

As she recovered, I found the courage to confess my past crush to her. Her reaction was heartbreakingly self-deprecating. With teary eyes, she joked, "You surely wouldn't want to date someone like me now, disabled as I am." Her vulnerability was palpable, a mixture of humor and deep-seated insecurity.

Without a moment's hesitation, I assured her of my sincere feelings. "Alena, my affection for you goes beyond any condition. I would love to date you, no matter what." It was a moment of raw honesty, a declaration that transcended physical limitations.

From that day forward, our relationship blossomed. We fell in love, not in spite of our circumstances, but perhaps because of them. Our bond, forged in the crucible of adversity, grew into a deep, unconditional love. It was a love that celebrated not only what was present but also what was lost, and in doing so, found something truly beautiful. As Alena's recovery progressed, she was fitted with prosthetic arms and legs. This marked the beginning of a demanding, yet transformative rehabilitation journey. Throughout this period, our relationship flourished. We found strength in each other's presence, our bond deepening with each challenge we faced together.

We spent countless hours at the rehab center, where Alena demonstrated incredible resilience and determination. I marveled at her spirit; she tackled each exercise and therapy session with a fierce tenacity that inspired everyone around her. Despite the hurdles and frustrations inherent in adapting to her new prosthetics, Alena's progress was remarkable.

During this time, our relationship evolved from just dating to something much deeper. We found solace and joy in each other's company, and it wasn't long before we decided to move in together. It was a natural and exciting step forward in our journey as a couple.

Our first significant activity as cohabitants was decorating our home for Christmas. Alena, ever enthusiastic, dove into the task with her usual vigor. We spent hours hanging lights, setting up the tree, and placing decorations, transforming our living space into a festive haven. It was a heartwarming experience, filled with laughter and shared moments that I cherished deeply.

One evening, as we were putting the finishing touches on our outdoor decorations, a light snowfall began to blanket our surroundings in a soft, white layer. Excited by the picturesque scene, Alena stepped outside to admire our handiwork. However, still adapting to her prosthetics, she lost her balance on the slippery snow.

In an instant, I rushed to her side, but to my relief, she was already laughing, unharmed. The snow had cushioned her fall, and she lay there, smiling up at the falling flakes. I joined her on the ground, and there we were, lying in the snow, laughing together under the gentle glow of our Christmas lights. It was a moment of pure joy and love, a testament to our journey together, filled with challenges but also with laughter and unwavering support. Our love had not only endured but had become a source of strength and happiness in both our lives.

At our prosthetic care center, we understand the challenges that come with losing a prosthetic limb, and we are here to help you overcome them. Our team of experts provides compassionate care and personalized attention to ensure that you receive the right type of prosthetic services for your needs and that it fits properly. 

Writing and drawing amputee characters: Not every amputee wears prosthetics (and that's ok)

Not every amputee wears prosthetics, and not doing so is not a sign that they've "given up".

It's a bit of a trope that I've noticed that when an amputee, leg amputees in particular, don't wear prosthetics in media its often used as a sign that they've given up hope/stopped trying/ are depressed etc. If/when they start feeling better, they'll start wearing their prosthetics again, usually accompanied by triumphant or inspiring music (if it's a movie). The most famous example of this is in Forest Gump, Where Dan spends most of the movie after loosing his legs wishing he'd died instead. He does eventually come around, and him finally moving from his wheelchair to prosthetics is meant to highlight this.

The thing is, it's not that it's unrealistic - in fact my last major mental health spiral was started because one of my prosthetics was being a shit and wouldn't go on properly, despite fitting perfectly at the prosthetist's the day before. I'm not going to use my legs when I'm not in a good headspace, but the problem is, this is the only time non-prosthetic using amputees ever get representation: to show how sad they are. Even if that's not what the creator/writer necessarily intended, audiences will often make that assumption on their own unless you're very careful and intentional about how you frame it, because it's what existing media has taught them to expect.

But there are lots of reasons why someone might not use prosthetics:

they might not need them: this is more common in arm amputees because of how difficult it can be to use arm prosthetic, especially above-elbow prosthetics. Most folks learn how to get on without them pretty well. In fact, most of the arm amputees I know don't have prosthetics, or only have them for specific tasks (e.g. I knew a girl who had a prosthetic hand made specifically for rowing, but that's all she used it for).

Other mobility aids just work better for them: for me, I'm faster, more manoeuvrable and can be out for longer when I'm in my wheelchair than I ever could on my prosthetics. Youtube/tik tok creator Josh Sundquist has said the same thing about his crutches, he just feels better using them than his prosthetic. This isn't the case for everyone of course, but it is for some of us. Especially people with above-knee prosthetics, in my experience.

Other disabilities make them harder to use: Some people are unable to use prosthetics due to other disabilities, or even other amputations. Yeah, as it turns out, a lot of prosthetics are only really designed for single-limb amputees. While they're usable for multi-limb amps, they're much harder to use or they might not be able to access every feature. For example, the prosthetic knee I have has the ability to monitor the walk cycle of the other leg and match it as close as possible - but that only works if you have a full leg on the other side. Likewise, my nan didn't like using her prosthetic, as she had limited movement in her shoulders that meant she physically couldn't move her arms in the right way to get her leg on without help.

Prosthetics are expensive in some parts of the world: not everyone can afford a prosthetic. My left prosthetic costs around $5,000 Australian dollars, but my right one (the above knee) cost $125,000AUD. It's the most expensive thing I own that I only got because my country pays for medical equipment for disabled folks. Some places subsidise the cost, but paying 10% of $125,000 is still $12,500. Then in some places, if you don't have insurance, you have to pay for that all by yourself. Even with insurance you still have to pay some of it depending on your cover. Arm prosthetics are even more expensive. Sure, both arms and legs do have cheaper options available, but they're often extremely difficult to use. You get what you pay for.

they aren't suitable for every type of environment: Prosthetics can be finicky and modern ones can be kind of sensitive to the elements. My home town was in a coastal lowland - this means lots of beaches and lots of swamp filled with salty/brackish water. The metals used in prosthetics don't hold up well in those conditions, and so they would rust quicker, I needed to clean them more, I needed to empty sand out of my foot ALL THE TIME (there always seemed to be more. It was like a bag of holding but it was just sand). Some prosthetics can't get wet at all. There were a few amputees who moved to the area when I was older who just didn't bother lol. It wasn't worth the extra effort needed for the maintenance.

People have allergies to the prosthetic material: This is less of a problem in the modern day, but some people are allergic to the materials their prosthetics are made from. You can usually find an alternative but depending on the type of allergy, some people are allergic to the replacements too.

Some people just don't like them.

There's nothing wrong with choosing to go without a prosthetic. There's nothing wrong with deciding they aren't for you. It doesn't make you a failure or sad or anything else. Using or not using prosthetics is a completely morally neutral thing.

Please, if you're writing amputees, consider if a prosthetic really is the best mobility aid for your character and consider having your characters go without, or at least mix it up a bit.

For example, Xari, one of the main characters in my comic, uses prosthetics unsupported and with crutches, and uses a wheelchair. They alternate between them throughout the story.

Okay besties, today I’m giving you the run down of Buckys finances and networth. Because as I’ve said multiple times, he’s obscenely wealthy despite the fact you’d never know by looking at him.

Now first off, MatPat (my fav YouTuber who I’m so sad is retiring, literally adore him) did a mini theory a few years ago, calculating Bucky’s compound interest in previously earned money from WWII in his frozen bank account while he was presumed dead. It totaled out to $51,143. This is just the money that he earned in the 30s/40s and has grown interest on. This is assuming the money wasn’t given to his family and for the purpose of this post, we’ll go with that it wasn’t. However, MatPat didn’t account back pay, for disability pay, and other military pay/benefits.

So as a starter point, we’ll use $51,143. Next, I’m going to calculate his back pay from being MIA/POW because he would have been considered active duty. A MIA/POW is given back pay of 50% of the average per diem rate, for each day held in captivity. The 2023 rate is $157 per day, and I assume that would be similar for him because TFATWS takes place in early 2024. So that means Bucky would get $78.50 per day. There is no time limit on how far back pay can date to, so the entire span of Bucky’s capture is accounted for. As per the Smithsonian memorial in CA:TWS, Bucky was captured in 1944, making it exactly 70 years of capture. So, the back pay for those 70 years, is $2,005,675.

Next, we’ll look at the different forms of disability pay he would receive. I’m only going to look at canonical, confirmed disabilities for this. Bucky would be classified under SMC-N 1/2, where one arm was amputated above the elbow and/or was amputated so close to the shoulder that a prosthetic cannot be worn. Now obviously, Bucky does have a prosthetic but it is implanted into his body, as a majority of his left shoulder seems to have been amputated. Since he is single and has no dependents, aka has no children and is not taking care of any family, and he is still able to work, he would be receiving $6,182 a month.

He also has PTSD, which he would most likely get a 70% percent disability rating for, as 100% is very rare to receive for mental and is considered to be extreme impairment in daily functioning. (He could recieve 80 or 90% but I’m being generous here and trying to give the most realistic assessment). All this means, his mental illness pay for PTSD would be $1716 a month.

It’s also canonical that he has brain damage via The Wakanda Files book. We know in that book, he’s described to have pretty severe TBI. However, we don’t know anything of his symptoms and the book only describes of the brain scan looks bad and that the serum is keeping him from being more impaired. The VA uses 10 areas of impairment as criteria to rate the severity of TBI disability. The only canonically confirmed area that we know Bucky deals with is memory. Since we know no other symptoms and we know he’s not extremely impaired, I’m going to estimate he’d be rated at 50%. Which would give him a compensation of $1075 a month.

Now, we can assume Bucky is retired from the military. From being a retired sergeant, we can assume his monthly pension is around $5,482.

Reminder, all VA pay is untaxed. All of these together, his monthly salary is $14,455. However, this is not including disability back pay. The VA sometimes will pay a lump sum from back from when the diagnosis was made. Assuming the Wakandans were involved in Bucky’s trial and pardon, I’d assume some of his medical records were brought in as well. Back dating to when he was being treated in Wakanda, that’s 7 years, however we don’t know if the blip would count so for that reason, I’ll say 2 years. So, his lump sum would be around $215,352.

Now, endgame was in October, six months before TFATWS, meaning it took place around March/April. Within, the span of October to March, Bucky woulda have accumulated $86,730. Because even if his pardon wasn’t official yet in October, he would still receive payment for that month.

Finally, in grand total, all of this is $2,358,900. His networth would be in a similar, slightly lower range. Meaning: yes, Bucky Barnes is a millionaire and nobody would ever guess.

so, I couldn't quite figure out when vash took off the shoulder piece and found this:

right here, it seems like it's actually connected to the coat. so when it's on, we can only see the real prosthetic below the elbow, everything above that just protects the shoulder from further damage. we've already seen him using it as a shield, but knowing that it's a separate piece makes even more sense. like, vash took it off before, but I assumed it was connected to the arm and not the coat. considering that red piece at the end, the sleeve is probably intact underneath the armor

it also looks like the actual prosthetic arm isn't supposed to be removed from the shoulder, but can be disconnected at the elbow. and it feels much more like an actual limb. I think it's linked to the nervous system in a way that vash can actually sense pain and pressure with it (1. the way he twitched when brad fixed it and 2. it would be harder to remove a bullet without sensory input from the hand)

Accessibility is MORE THAN A RAMP!

ID:

Illustration of a tall man with curly hair, with two prosthetic legs and a arm amputation above the elbow. Text reads: Disability pride Month. Accessibility is so much more than a ramp. Disabled people are all different, and have lots of different needs to be able to access spaces, such as quiet spaces, quick access to toilets and wide doorways. Accessibility is NOT optional. End of ID

this video is by an above-elbow amputee on having a prosthetic arm, which i think could be helpful for people who want more information on how prosthetics work for writing vash. i think it'd especially be helpful for anyone who writes modern AU stuff and gives him a prosthetic arm.

it's also just a good informative video and entertaining to watch

hi—I wanted to ask if the following is an appropriate and respectful way to deal with a character’s injury?

my character c is shot in the shoulder area which results in nerve damage leaving them with permanent paralysis in their arm.

first: would amputation be a reasonable/expected course of action?

and second: c is a shapeshifter and her ability to shapeshift is impacted by her paralysis. is it reasonable for her to want an amputation?

(i’ve read a lot of your posts about upper limb differences, so i would not be giving them any prosthetics, and their disability would remain while shifting. also this is mostly in backstory for the character, not the main plot line of the story, if that’s relevant.)

Hi!

To answer your questions one by one:

"would amputation be a reasonable/expected course of action?"

Expected? No. Reasonable? Possibly ?? (with a question mark).

Before this ask, I have actually never heard of this being done, but I was able to find a medical source discussing this. To quote the relevant part: "[when treating someone with that type of injury, there are] three options: first, ignore the compromised extremity and focus the rehabilitation on improving function in the normal arm; second, perform an above-elbow amputation alone, and third, perform an above-elbow amputation combined with arthrodesis [connecting bones together] of the shoulder." Basically, if the injury is permanent with no improvement in the foreseeable future, then your character could either work on her other arm to do the work for both, or have it amputated above the elbow.

Keep in mind that this refers to complete paralysis of the whole arm, if your character experiences partial paralysis it wouldn't be worth it, I think.

2) "her ability to shapeshift is impacted by her paralysis. is it reasonable for her to want an amputation?"

From the same source as above; "if the flail limb (dominant or not) interferes with the patient’s return to work or the accomplishment of daily life tasks, or if it is a source of frequent infections, amputation seems to be a reasonable option." So if we count shapeshifting as a daily life task or work, then this actual medical literature paper says it's reasonable. And as for the character wanting it herself, I think it's very reasonable too, especially if it makes C's life harder or causes her pain. "Improving quality of life" is the main reason for elective amputations in general.

It's great that she keeps her disability while shapeshifting!

If you're looking to research the emotional/psychological side of choosing an elective amputation, I would recommend some of Footless Jo's videos on YouTube! She has had an elective amputation for a past injury and made several videos about it. Of course, she discusses a lower limb amputation rather than an upper one but I still think it could be a very useful resource for you.

Thank you for your ask, I hope my answer helped a bit!!

Mod Sasza

Attractive bilateral AE girl putting on her prossies

Out for a swim

No, I don't wear my prosthesis while swimming

hey ppl who draw post-canon gordon w a prosthetic . go to your browser of choice and search “bebionic arm prosthetic” or “below elbow prosthetic”. try to avoid resources that are sensationalized or presented as novelties please? focus on material with real people who use them every day . search for arm prosthesis demo videos and tips on how to use them or tips for living with a below-elbow amputation in general. i promise it’s more interesting than an all-metal hand that works exactly like a flesh one and isn’t even attached to the nub <3

here’s the dos and donts of the bebionic, and someone comparing multiple prosthetic hands, and someone trying different (above elbow) prostheses, and here’s a way they’re made (a lotta this is candid footage jsyk, but it shows how they move and are used)

for reference, there’s three main types, and thats body-powered/mechanical, myoelectric (the kind with nerve sensors) (note commercial ones can’t feel!), and passive/cosmetic (has no/little movement). they’re usually made of soft plastic, lightweight titanium, and silicone

now go be free <3

Griffin Healthcare is a leading provider of prosthetics and orthotics services, specializing in crafting advanced prosthetic limbs. Their expertise encompasses the design and fitting of prosthetic arms and legs, ensuring optimal functionality and comfort for users. With a focus on lower limb prosthetics, Griffin Healthcare pioneers innovative solutions in orthotics, delivering personalized foot care solutions. Their commitment extends beyond mere devices; they strive to enhance the lives of individuals through cutting-edge orthotic interventions. Whether it's crafting prosthetic limbs or offering tailored orthotic support, Griffin Healthcare remains dedicated to empowering individuals with mobility challenges, embracing a holistic approach to healthcare that combines technology, compassion, and precision.

Foot care solutions play a crucial role in maintaining the well-being of prosthetic users, ensuring a comfortable fit and reducing the risk of complications.

Tips for drawing and writing amputees: The prosthetic needs something to hold onto

Prosthetics need to be able to hold on to the body.

If you're giving your amputee something similar to 99.99% of modern prosthetics, this will be done through a socket. This is a ridged cup made perfectly for the amputee that holds the prosthetic onto the body. Older prosthetics (mostly anything before the 90's) made the prosthetic socket intentionally tight in spots, which is what held it in place. Some people with sensitive skin still use this style of prosthetic but they've mainly fallen out of use in favour for suction sockets. These sockets create a vacuum seal that holds the prosthetic in place. These can work in two ways, either just by forcing excess air out of the socket and creating the seal that way, or for some legs, sucking that excess air out and into an "ankle" mechanism to offer some extra suspension and padding in the step.

Some prosthetics will also use additional measures as well as suction, such as pin-locks, where the amputee wears a sock with a screw at the bottom that clips into a mechanism at the bottom of the socket, or a prosthetic with movable panels that can be tightened via cables running through the socket.

I've used all of these except the pin lock socket, and they all have one thing in common: The sockets need as much space as possible. For prosthetics using suction in particular, this is to spread out the amount of force being applied to the leg. If all the suction is being applied to the end of the stump, it's going to get sore and could even damage the skin. If that same amount of suction is applied to a much wider area, it's going to feel less intense. Likewise, older prosthetics needed as much space to work with as possible too, as applying tight pressure to a small area as opposed to a larger surface to keep the tension isn't good for your skin or muscles in that spot.

For this reason, the sockets will take up all of the space available without limiting movement, meaning they will go all the way up to the next major joint. An amputee who lost their hand through the wrist will have a socket that goes all the way to their elbow. An amputee who lost their leg through or above the knee will have a socket that goes all the way to their hip.

Sometimes, if an amputation is particularly close to a major joint and there isn't a lot of space left between the stump and the next major joint, prosthetists will opt to immobilise the closest joint and take the socket all the way up to the next major joint. This was something I've actually discussed with my prosthetist. My left leg is amputated below the knee, but I only have a few centimetres of space below the knee. That leg occasionally needs revisions, meaning they take the very tip off of the stump to help correct issues with weird bone growth, scarring, infections etc, but if I get another revision, my leg will be too short to comfortably wear a socket, so my knee will need to be immobilised and my leg will become, functionally, an above knee amputation, despite still having the joint. This is rare, but it happens on occasion, showing that sometimes that need for space trumps even the use of a still functional joint. It's really important.

I wanted to bring this up because I see a lot of people draw sockets on their amputee's prosthetics, but they're much too tiny to be comfortable!

I did mention most prosthetics use a socket, but not all do. Some old prosthetics did not have sockets and were held in place using other methods.

This is a "prosthetic" my prosthetist found in his company's back room. He's not sure when it was made, but together we came up with an estimate of it being made around the 70's for a through-hip amputee (meaning someone who's whole leg was amputated with no stump at all)

It's designed so that the user would rest their hip on the cushion and use the handle to hold it in place and move it in time with their walk. This kind of mobility aid isn't often used anymore (me nor my prosthetist have seen one out in the world), and seems to have faded in use during the 80's as sockets were invented that could better hold onto the hip and pelvis for through-hip amputees and the use of wheelchairs for amputees became less stigmatised.

There's also A new type of prosthetic has been developed called the Osseointegration prosthetic, which also doesn't use a socket either. These are very rare as they are incredibly expensive and still very risky, but these prosthetics bypass the socket and implant the prosthetic directly into the body through a rod planted inside one's stump bone. This rod has a clip at the end of the stump, so the external part of the prosthetic can be removed as needed (and replaced). The reason they are risky though is that they are EXTREMELY prone to infection. I only know one person who had this implanted successfully, but he has to be very careful to keep his leg clean or else it will get infected (and it frequently does, he's constantly on antibiotics). Everyone else I know who got it had to get it removed.

With time these implants will get safer, but we are a very, very long way off from that right now.