Re: George Boyer & phantom limb pain
Ted A. Trower
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: George Boyer & phantom limb pain
Creator:
Ted A. Trower
Date:
5/16/1999
Text:
At 12:43 AM 5/16/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Ms. Parris - The first thing I would suggest (as a thoughtful amputee of some
>seven years)
>The promiscuous use of the term stump pain is the greatest
>generator of confusion about what the amputee is experiencing, because the
>fear and anxiety surrounding the amputation experience results in defining
>every unusual sensation as pain. Sensation does not equate to pain.
>
>Cheers, George B.
For the benefit of the listmembers who do not participate in the amputee
listservs some additional information is needed here. Mr George Boyer is an
extremely intelligent gentleman who is very knowledgeable about the issues
of amputation surgery and phantom pain. This is true because he has
suffered from a lifelong desire to be an amputee and has researched the
matter extensively. Seven years ago he decided to stop waiting for an
accident and intentionally blew his own leg off with a shotgun at a level
above the knee.
While his knowledge of phantom pain theory is excellent, his interpretation
of phantom sensation as pleasurable and sexually stimulating appears to be
unique to him. None the less he persistently challenges anyone who
describes phantom pain as a problem issue and attempts to redefine phantom
pain as phantom sensation.
I do not write this to disparage Mr. Boyer. He has a role to play in
increasing our understanding of amputee issues. I only wish to help the
list membership understand the point of view from which he presents his
opinions.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, MI, USA
>Ms. Parris - The first thing I would suggest (as a thoughtful amputee of some
>seven years)
>The promiscuous use of the term stump pain is the greatest
>generator of confusion about what the amputee is experiencing, because the
>fear and anxiety surrounding the amputation experience results in defining
>every unusual sensation as pain. Sensation does not equate to pain.
>
>Cheers, George B.
For the benefit of the listmembers who do not participate in the amputee
listservs some additional information is needed here. Mr George Boyer is an
extremely intelligent gentleman who is very knowledgeable about the issues
of amputation surgery and phantom pain. This is true because he has
suffered from a lifelong desire to be an amputee and has researched the
matter extensively. Seven years ago he decided to stop waiting for an
accident and intentionally blew his own leg off with a shotgun at a level
above the knee.
While his knowledge of phantom pain theory is excellent, his interpretation
of phantom sensation as pleasurable and sexually stimulating appears to be
unique to him. None the less he persistently challenges anyone who
describes phantom pain as a problem issue and attempts to redefine phantom
pain as phantom sensation.
I do not write this to disparage Mr. Boyer. He has a role to play in
increasing our understanding of amputee issues. I only wish to help the
list membership understand the point of view from which he presents his
opinions.
Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, MI, USA
Citation
Ted A. Trower, “Re: George Boyer & phantom limb pain,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 15, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211787.
