Devotees & Fetishists

Devotees and Fetishists
by Kimberley Barrada of the now closed website CripWorld

All amputees should be aware of this segment of society. There is a lot of controversy regarding devotees, the pros and the cons. In my research of the Internet for woman amputee sites, I found thousands of sites devoted to the 'devotee' and the 'fetishist'.  In fact, there may be more sites for them then there are on actual amputation. You be the judge.

What is a devotee?
Where are devotees found?
What is the difference between a devotee and a fetishist?
Are they dangerous?
How can I protect myself?

What is a devotee?

Devoteeism or acromotophelia is the sexual attraction to people with amputations.

Where are devotees found?

Devotees are known to put themselves into situations where they have frequent opportunities to meet, interact, touch or otherwise be exposed to amputees.  Devotees have been found leading Amputee support groups, involved in amputee/disabled sports events and programs as coaches, volunteers and officials, in prosthetic facilities as prosthetists, technicians and assistants and in orthopedic medical/rehab offices.  There have also been devotees acting as medical officers at the Paralympic Games (one was in fact the medical officer to a European National Team).

What is the difference between a devotee and a fetishist?

In my experience, there are 2 different types of devotees.  The devotee and the fetishist.  I define the difference as one of respect and adult/mature interaction with the amputee. 

The devotee is interested in the amputee and is up front about the attraction.  These individuals find amputees "even more beautiful due to the amputation." 

Devotees are motivated by the desire to be near and to assist and interact with an amputee in a positive manner.  Many devotees have been exposed to amputees in a positive lifestyle situation (for example a family member, parent, teacher or childhood friend may have been an amputee) which results in a natural attraction to an amputee.  The "stump" is not the object, but is an attraction trigger.  Devotees are known to build limbs, design living aids and generally assist the amputee to whatever degree they are able and some amputees consider this to be a positive addition to their lives.  In fact, there are amputees who are happily involved with devotees due to the inherent nature of the situation.

Fetishists, on the other hand are of the opinion that "most people are repulsed by amputees, but not me" thereby trying to insinuate that amputees would be overlooked by the general population as potential mates/friends/lovers etc.  This is blatantly untrue, but serves their purpose of reducing the amputee to a "stump" or objectifying the amputee and removing the person from the equation.  These people prey on new amputees and those with low self-esteem and a negative body image.  They take great pains to reinforce these negative attitudes in order to make themselves appear benign and to keep the amputee from rising above them.

Are they dangerous?

I do not consider Devotees dangerous.  To a devotee, the amputation is a trigger but not a fixation.

Fetishists, however, are extremely dangerous and are suffering from a severe mental illness and are to be avoided at all costs.

How can I protect myself?

Knowing the difference is the biggest safety precaution you can take.

Devotees are positive and up front about their attraction and are not interested in reducing the amputee to an object.

Fetishists can usually be identified by their furtive methods, refusal to leave you alone, harrassment and forced, unsolicited and/or surreptitious photography.  These individuals will also pose as family members of amputees and ask very pointed, intrusive questions regarding personal aspects of the amputation.

They are also known to frequent orthopedic wards and may often be the first person they see after surgery. 

Comments like "You are STILL attractive" and other comments designed as negative reinforcement are also common.

Protection comes in many forms, including maintaining and developing a strong sense of self worth and self-esteem and developing and maintaining a positive body image.  This is especially important with child amps and those who are new amputees.

Do not allow photography of your residual limb or of your child by anyone you do not know.  There is no reason for a prosthetist or other pseudo-medical person to need a photograph.  This includes casting and testing sessions as well as physiotherapy or gait training.

Please follow this link to read an update to Kimbereley's article.