In France, more than one in 10 adults have a disability and women are more often affected by severe physical limitations. But how to regain self-confidence after “an accident in life”? Sophie Teboul, a specialist in the issue of disability in women and herself a device user, enlightens us.
Why Doctor: The main causes of disability are road, sports and work accidents, genetic pathologies and chronic illnesses. In your case, the amputations were done because of bone cancer, namely osteosarcoma. What aspects of the lives of women in your situation are disrupted?
Sophie Teboul: As a reminder, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), women with disabilities experience various types of deficiencies, notably affecting their physical, intellectual and sensory faculties and their psychosocial behaviors, which may or may not result in functional limitations.
The consequences of what I call an accident of life are enormous for women, because the body is physically affected. Femininity thus takes a hit. On the personal side, for example, some patients say they find themselves all alone. Their husband or partner decides to leave them, because they no longer correspond to the image he had of them. This was the case with my ex-husband who looked at me like I was a monster. At the beginning, it was difficult, but then I realized that it was better to be accompanied by positive people and to be left by those who are toxic in order to rebuild oneself.
On the professional side, you cannot always return to the position occupied before the disability unless adjustments are made. However, we still want to show that we have not changed. This is where a problem arises, as we strive to adapt to all situations. It’s constantly a battle, which is exhausting! Result: we can’t hold on. Furthermore, on a daily basis, we are often confronted with more violence and discrimination…
Disability: “Physical activity allows you to discover new abilities”
After an “accident in life”, how can you reconcile with your body and rediscover your femininity?
After the amputation, we realize that a large part of our body is missing and that it will no longer be the same as before. We therefore need to rediscover our femininity, our self-confidence and to see that people look at us differently. To do this, you have to turn to sport. Beyond the beneficial effects on rehabilitation, physical activity allows you to discover new abilities. In addition, this allows you to stay in good physical and muscular shape, otherwise your health can deteriorate quickly.
Devices, like prostheses, help you feel good about yourself. In my case, it’s a prosthetic leg with a knee and ankle joint. She played an important role in my physical and mental reconstruction and my self-confidence. This device allows you to make new movements. In addition, the fact that it is colorful or glittery makes you want to show it off, as if it were a tattoo. In addition to being able to walk well with this prosthesis, I can change shoes, even wear heels. This encourages me to get ready, wear dresses, put on makeup and therefore go out more often. As a woman, these are important elements.
A woman with a disability supported by her loved ones is “less likely to have complications”
How can loved ones of women with disabilities help them on a daily basis?
In the event of a disability, those around you are very important. In fact, a supported person is less likely to have complications and their rehabilitation is likely to take less time. Clearly, women with physical disabilities need to be encouraged to remain optimistic, but also to be helped with daily tasks without our loved ones doing everything for us. For example, it is essential that someone carries our shopping. On the other hand, we must learn the gestures that allow us to pick up or reach an object, because we will not succeed if we find ourselves alone one day.
