The importance of sharing the amputation journey with the limb loss community

Alex Boutte UNYQer interview

Alex is a blogger with a wide limb loss community that really got our attention for the first time. Her fresh, outspoken, lively and colorful content hooks us up, maybe because she can talk without mincing her words to help others find their silver lining in their struggles. And today she’s sharing with us the importance of sharing the amputation journey with the limb loss community.

For her, amputees have a Limbitless Sunshine that enables them to uncover their true potential. For that reason she tells things that would normally be reserved for her therapist because she knows it feels good to get it off her chest especially when she helps others feel less alone by sharing their thoughts and concerns on social media.

You can either see her sharing her struggles, achievements, fears, thoughts, also doing comedy about them, denouncing amputee fetishism, or giving advice about that imposter syndrome or talking about her feelings about showing or not showing her leg (what she calls «amputee disclosure”) when meeting someone new.

"If no one is vulnerable enough to tell their story, how will we end the stigma attached to mental health and disability? And how will we feel free if we can’t speak the words that are a part of our everyday?"

- Alex March 5, 2023 (Limbitless Sunshine Blog)

You can know more about her amputation journey on her instagram, tiktok, or blog.

Each of us has a personal story that makes us unique, what is yours?

All of our eccentricities come together to make us the unique person we are. From the way we laugh to the pattern we choose on our UNYQ cover. Each of us has our own story to tell. I know I’m unique because there is no one else who has lived my story. I am unapologetically me and that is my superpower.

"I know I’m unique because there is no one else who has lived my story. I am unapologetically me and that is my superpower."

I am someone who lost her right leg to osteosarcoma. But mostly, I am someone who feels other people’s feelings deeply, listens to way too much Taylor Swift, and is passionate about connecting with others in the limb loss community to help them feel less alone. I am a Gemini, so I can be a bit unpredictable. But you can always count on me for a good leg joke, the best guacamole you’ve ever had, and a great recommendation for a true crime podcast. I am also known for my happy food dance, usually triggered by something served with copious amounts of cheese on top.

As a content creator, tell us about how it feels to share your amputation journey with the limb loss community on social media.

I think social media has created a great opportunity for us to connect and support each other. It’s somewhere that we can speak loudly about disability awareness and help create a more inclusive and educated world. I decided to share my journey online, the good and the bad, so that we could have more honest conversations and stop pretending that people with disabilities don’t matter.

"Social media it’s somewhere that we can speak loudly about disability awareness and help create a more inclusive and educated world."

How do you think UNYQ Covers influence body image and self-perception?

They allow me to express my creativity, sense of style, and my power. I feel most like myself when my UNYQ cover is showing. We are all given this hunk of metal to carry around that gives us the freedom to move, but doesn’t really say who we are. UNYQ let’s us turn our prosthetics into art and that makes me feel beautiful.

I love that you can combine colors, patterns and designs to make something almost custom. The covers are lightweight and the magnetic style closure makes them incredibly easy to put on and take off.

If I had to give an advice to another UNYQer it would be: “Don’t ever let anymore make you feel ashamed of your limb loss. You have nothing to hide and that’s the beauty of rocking your UNYQ cover!”

About Alex’s UNYQ Galaxy design

Alex is wearing a UNYQ Galaxy design in Gold matte.

Did you know that our Galaxy design is inspired by the universe? As if we dive in an unlimited galaxy of possibilities, the Galaxy design takes us on a journey of self-discovery of our true potential. And Alex definitely has found hers and encourages everyone to do so!

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