Two Encounters, One Prosthetic, and Another Cruise Ship Conversation Streak

Yesterday, after dinner aboard the Radiance of the Seas, I had two very different interactions involving my prosthetic leg. Both were unexpected, and both reminded me that sometimes my prosthetic introduces me to people before I even get a chance to introduce myself.

Encounter #1: "I Make Those"

I was approaching the entrance to the Main Dining Room when I noticed a guy coming up behind me. He turned, looked intently at my prosthetic, kept walking, then looked down again.

I said hello, and he returned the greeting.

Then came the explanation: "I make those."

Suddenly, his curiosity made perfect sense. He wasn't just looking at a guy walking with a prosthetic. He was looking at a piece of equipment he works with professionally. He was checking out the knee, the socket, and all the components that make up my artificial leg.

We struck up a conversation. He mentioned that he was also on the trip to cast his father-in-law for an upper-extremity prosthetic, specifically an arm below the elbow. Apparently, he could write off the business-related portion of his travel expenses, but not the cruise itself.

It was an interesting little encounter. Most people see my prosthetic and wonder what happened. This guy saw it and wanted to know what equipment I was wearing.

Encounter #2: "Where Did You Lose It?"

I headed toward the elevator, which was maybe ten feet away, ready to make my way back to the stateroom.

Then another guy approached me.

He extended his hand, gave me a hug, and started talking.

Now, if you've followed my adventures, you know I have a problem with strangers touching me. So the unexpected handshake-and-hug combination wasn't exactly my preferred introduction.

Then he asked, "Where did you lose it? Thank you, buddy."

It took a moment for that to register. He had apparently assumed I was a military veteran and had lost my leg while serving.

I explained that I hadn't lost my leg with quite that level of valor.

That opened up another conversation. I take military service, valor, and people misrepresenting or stealing that recognition seriously. There's a difference between appreciating someone's service and claiming something you haven't earned.

As it turned out, this gentleman had served three tours in Iraq, along with service during Desert Storm.

That put things into perspective.

I thanked him for his service, and he told me I was a strong dude. We exchanged a few more words, and I told him we'd probably see each other around the ship.

Another Day, Another Conversation

What's becoming increasingly amusing is that this isn't the first time I've had unexpected conversations with complete strangers on a cruise.

My prosthetic seems to be an icebreaker.

Sometimes it's someone who is professionally interested in the technology. Sometimes it's someone who assumes something about my background. Sometimes it's simply someone who wants to connect.

I don't mind talking about my amputation. It's part of my life, and I've never kept it a secret. But there's a difference between being approachable and assuming that physical contact or personal questions are automatically welcome.

Still, I'll give both gentlemen credit for making an otherwise ordinary evening a little more interesting.

One makes prosthetics. The other served his country.

And I apparently keep attracting conversations wherever I go.

At this rate, I might need to start keeping a cruise ship encounter counter.

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The streak continues!