Thank you for complimenting my book. I put a lot of effort into it and during the editing process, double checked that the book was useful for readers — even if it meant writing things that others might disagree with. My Mexican husband also explained a lot of things and answered a lot of questions for me. I couldn’t have done it without him. Sometimes I thought I had something right and then found out that I was just a little off when he answered my questions.

You won’t believe this, but you are right, I don’t have to research how Mexicans will respond to an amputee because I have traveled in Mexico with someone who is a bi-lateral upper extremity amputee! Who would have thought it?!

I think that the three-legged stool sounds like a practical idea and I think that people will be very accepting of it. The only thing about lower extremity prosthesis is that they aren’t always visible, so people won’t always know why you need to sit down. I can usually tell the gait of someone wearing a prosthesis, but not everyone can. Still, it won’t matter. Mexicans usually have older family members that they spend time with or live with and understand that sometimes you just can’t be on your feet. In fact, I’m SURE that there will be times when others wave you to the front of the line. You can also claim those seats right at the front of the bus.

In fact, go ahead and wear shorts if it is a casual setting. The amputee I know is always much, much more comfortable showing his prosthesis in Mexico, than he is in the U.S. where he almost always covers them with a long-sleeved shirt. Mexicans aren’t shy about offering help. They don’t worry that they might “insult” you, so they are comfortable lending a helping hand. At the same time they are helping, they are often expressing respect at his ability to do as much as he does under circumstances they would not want to experience. One time a bus driver wouldn’t take any bus fare from him, even though he had it all ready in his hook (that’s what he calls them).

One thing you will need to think about is all of the uneven surfaces in Mexico. Mexico is sure for the physically fit! Of course, you can treat yourself to using radio taxis and thus have door to door service. You might have to be creative about repairs to your prosthesis, too. One time my husband took “our amputee” to a local machine shop to get them to do a work-around for a part for his arms. One of my students made me laugh once. We were talking about creativity in our English class and he said, “I’m not creative. Well, yes I am. I’m creative like all Mexicans — you know, like MacGyver.” He was referring to that TV character who could fix anything with his Swiss army knife.

Also, sweaty sockets aren’t all that fun, either, so extreme heat on the coast may not be your preference. Still, three to six months a year will allow you to avoid the worst weather, wherever you end up.

There was a prosthetist in Cuernavaca, but we never did go to see how skilled s/he was, nor how similar the parts s/he was using were to those used in the US. Bring LOTS of spares on your first trip.

Once you find a neighborhood and get to know your neighbors I think you will really enjoy being an amputee in Mexico.

Kindest Regards,
Julia C Taylor