'I chose to have my leg amputated' - BBC London

Helena Stone was just 22 years old when she opted to have her leg amputated.
She was dreaming of becoming a professional kayaker until she had an accident that resulted in her having complex regional pain syndrome.
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic condition with no cure, which causes pain to be 100 times worse than what it actually is.
Helena had CRPS in her leg and so she saw no choice but to have it amputated. She is now hoping to do all the activities she once couldn't and finish university.
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[@bbclondon]

Subscribe to BBC London here: bit.ly/2Gd18gB

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Leg amputated

[@keyboarddancers7751]

This video came up under the search heading "body integrity dysphoria". It has nothing whatsoever to do with this very articulate young woman's extremely difficult and brave decision in the face of chronic acute pain. YT algorithms are not always appropriately discriminating.

[@Mary-vw8gh]

Same!!! I searched "Transabled" and this was the 4th video on the list.

[@user-zq9dg2tb7q]

Same

[@troye.1309]

I'm offered "Rap" music ALL the time and I don't listen to ANY music on YT🤔.

[@aldranzam3456]

I mean, BIID is also a very real neurological condition.

[@jamessv5020]

Right you are! I came here looking for info on BIID. This lady opted to have her leg amputated for reasons that had nothing to do with BIID. Hers was a brave, unavoidable at best, decision anyone, who WAS normal physically, would ever have to make.

[@cunt8483]

title was misleading, it was actually very smart and brave of her to decide to have her leg amputated

[@kermittfroggy2975]

Nice supportive statement from someone who names themselves a Slur

[@cunt8483]

@@kermittfroggy2975 thank u

[@dog-jk2hn]

The title isn't misleading, she literally did choose to have her leg amputated. The fact that you prejudged her based on the title isn't the title's fault, it's yours.

[@shelbi4654]

As someone with CRPS I completely understand why she made this decision. I’m mad it came up when I searched for body integrity disorder. You’re very strong and brave

[@kikithepupper6774]

I think she had every reason to make that decision. The leg didn't even work and caused her so much pain she was bedridden.

[@whispercars306]

I am surprised they can't just numb that leg so there is no feeling with meds and then you just walk without pain in that leg.

[@4rumani]

​@@whispercars306you're not very bright are you?

[@whispercars306]

@@4rumani You can take strong pain killers that mask the pain in the leg, giving you the ability to use the limb.

[@OO-bh8jg]

@@whispercars306 i think it’s partly a safety hazard to just walk around unable to feel your leg. What if you stand on a rusty nail and don’t realise for way too long?

[@1leggedmedia]

I can tell you that the pain meds help with pain but do not in anyway make you pain free I have the same thing she does and it is crippling pain. I am having my leg removed in February or sooner if they can get me in

[@drcidd8153]

At least she had a valid reason. Instead of "I just feel like I need to have 1 leg instead of 2"

[@kacperkrakowski]

She can compete for the Paralympics

[@troye.1309]

I stepped in a Rutt in my driveway and broke my ankle in 1991. I had 7 surgeries trying to fix it with no luck. I was tired of taking all the narcotics for pain so I decided to have my left leg amputated below the knee in 1999. I don't regret doing it but I wouldn't make that same choice again.

[@coastaf]

Feels like you live a life directed by bigger purpose than most of us. Your honesty’s inspiring - viva

[@beibhinnnnn]

Damn, brave girl.

[@sebastianstyles9750]

She’s really brave and intelligent, I love how she makes life sound simple it’s kind of refreshing. Very determined and strong minded. Good work

[@sharonshamedje]

I've had the privilege to know this young lady through our Athletics club. Helena is inspirational especially as I'm a full time carer for my mum who had her left arm amputated as a result of a car accident. Another brave & inspirational woman.

[@harrisidris5836]

This is very inspiring❤️. Rather than the BIID that I've been watching, those make me sick 🤮. She did this so she could enjoy her life rather than being bedbound

[@coda7626]

BIID is a mental disorder. The sufferers have no control over it and it is very debilitating.

[@franz.francisco]

@@coda7626 seconded, it isn't a choice or "disgusting" at all

[@RayDrawzDragonz]

don't call disabled people inspiring for just existing, its so belittling.

[@bunnymcbunnyface4750]

I didn't think it was going to be a good decision but it actually looks like the best decision someone could make

[@crieverytim]

I have nerve damage and extreme RLS. i've definitely considered having them amputated :/

[@arthurmead5341]

That would be hot

[@firstnamelastnamed7410]

@@arthurmead5341 laughing my fu$kin a&& oof????

[@danwells5946]

I've tried everything. I have been wheelchair bound though my crps, I now have to beg the nhs to take my lower leg off as the way I see it, if its not successful and I'm still in pain, I'm already in a wheelchair so it's definitely worth the risk, it's nickname is the "suicide disease" due to countless hours and days crying in pain in bed, even on a pain meds cocktail that could sedate an elephant, it doesn't touch it, I now live alone on the sofa when I used to be an outgoing hardworking guy. I really hope the nhs start taking patient's seriously that want... no need an amputation to save their lives in more ways then one...

[@OneStepToDeath420]

How are you doing a year later?

[@tellemcorey2579]

Strong spirit

[@trevorserfontein8399]

Good morning Lady! What a brave and logical decision you had to make! I had to have my left leg amputated above the knee due to diabetes and getting gangrene! I've adapted very well too it AND it's NOT the end of the world! My wife's friend is living with a spider bitten leg for about twenty years now..but she's refusing amputation and prefers to drag this useless leg around with her! I must use your video to try and motivate her! I'm very agile with mine while I patiently wait for a prosthetic leg! It's just another way of life to adapt to! Strongs and best wishes to you! 💪👍🤝

[@Xypci]

how are you now after the amputation?

[@Chirpingcherub]

The title is quite misleading she has a medical condition which led her to either be in pain or “choose” amputation

[@WalkingthePathlondon]

Brave girl ❤️❤️

[@kevinhamling1963]

G'day Helena, I think what you decided to do is incredibly brave. I have CRPS due to a work accident 11.5 years ago. I put a drill through my left hand. Subsequently my fingers have become all disfigured plus pain throughout my body. Q. Do you get fantom pain due to your amputation. Thanks for sharing ✌️ Peace from Melbourne Australia.

[@fafakk7275]

Poor mom poor parents, thats really sad.

[@marieked]

What’s even more sad is watching your child suffer with severe chronic pain that comes from CRPS that she had, and risked still having to some degree with phantom limb pain.

[@Treemeadow]

My concern with CRS amputation is whether the pain is centrally neuropathic or locally- if the pain is localised, then removal helps. If the pain is from miscommunication between the nervous system and brain, amputation could do nothing to stop the pain. Obvs it's got to be assessed case by case

[@Yeoldepimpe]

Not was what I was looking for. Brave woman go kick ass

[@ROCKINGMAN]

You can still have a great and full life Helena. I would think this is nowhere near the worst thing that can happen to a person.

[@amycarter6337]

holy moly that must of hurt a bunch if she had to get it amputated!

[@aronlelenora9572]

❤❤❤❤

[@davidcolledge7914]

How do you go shopping for shoes they come in pairs of shoes what do you do with the other shoe

[@thechildrenoftherev0]

Team up with another amputee & go halfsies

[@Chronically_JBoo]

I am laying in bed my feet aren't touching anything and the CRPS IS STRONG AF rn. I understand where she's coming from.

[@tamsirsylla3894]

Je t'aime

[@jamesrichardson5162]

Hello I am James I had job work injury riple fractures and had operation metal screws and plate a devolep into complex regional pain syndrome and no foot feeling a movement I am wanting lower leg Amputation did you go private or NHS as need some advice

[@carlogagnon2332]

So beatiful 🔥❤

[@troyrobinson4949]

I got my right leg amputated above the knee due to PAD vascular disease 2 years still don't like it

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

I'd rather die any day rather than have a limb amputated.

[@DavidWheeler85]

FOOTLESS JO SENT. ME HERE!

[@rozalina531]

Brave lady 💯 👏🏻

[@vixxa]

Madness

[@Xypci]

my moms having an amputation and i’m very worried about her

[@Theguywhoasked869]

do a give away

[@user-dt6ks2cy9y]

WTF at 22 years old she decided to have her leg amputated ??? she looks 16 now

[@watchgoose]

why not do a permanent nerve block? It's been done before.

[@Blissfulnessence]

Nerve blocks won't stop tissue from dying. Sepsis could set in.

[@transamination]

@@Blissfulnessence You what? The specialist said the leg was perfectly normal healthy tissue. The problem was in her head.

[@Blissfulnessence]

@@transamination Th8s was a year ago. I don't even remember context here. 😬

[@HolySpiritActivated]

​@@transamination what? She was bedbound with a chronic pain condition did u even watch any

[@georgiamackinlay5706]

​@@transaminationit's not in her head actually, the problem is in her nerves and nervous system. CRPS affects the vascular system as well and can lead to ulceration and infection

[@lily4813ds]

can she still do her sport? If not why?

[@user-pl2ky4cx4y]

do a give away 😊

[@AndrzejLondyn]

I was born without legs. I wish I had both... I could play football, cycling on normal bicycle. I wonder if she like me goes to Job Centre for work related activities every now and then.

[@mtube1720]

Andrew bless you champion absolute legend

[@AndrzejLondyn]

@@mtube1720 Thank you for your nice words. Although I'm not fully understand her decision, my neighbour put himself on a railway track and he lost his left leg. Maybe I was a kind of his "weird inspiration". He always adored my wheelchair.

[@adonaiyah2196]

@@AndrzejLondyn What do you mean

[@AndrzejLondyn]

@@adonaiyah2196 thx I corrected it.

[@adonaiyah2196]

@@AndrzejLondyn though I don't think he should amputate himself you are an inspiration

[@michelsmet2611]

I recently heard of a belgian paraplegic guy who asked to have his legs amputated - and he obtained the amputation - the surgery was paid by social services ...

[@jillmondt5398]

I think she got screwed.

[@bobbobbington3615]

She looks exactly how I anticipated.

[@realfrankiegrande]

what? you anticipated she’d only have one leg? it’s in the title dude

[@HolySpiritActivated]

Please explain

[@AverageIsopod]

Look most people don’t understand why people with BIID are into having a disability, it’s not because they think it’s *cool* but because they kinda sexualize it in a way, over the helplessness over it or the inability to do something.

[@thecraftycyborg9024]

The problem with amputating CRPS limbs is that it never leaves you CRPS-free. The disease is still there and it will eventually strike another limb. So you’ve lost a limb for nothing in the end. Signed, Someone who’s had CRPS for 18 years, severe full body for 8 of those

[@dingo5842]

I would think that with all the surgical mistakes you hear about being made these days, as a man, the worse mistake a doctor could make with me would be if he were to amputate the wrong head.

[@LuckyEagle640]

Can they not do physical therapy for this?

[@prettydollswagg]

What doctor would actually allow amputation of a healthy like

[@rachele7398]

one that considers quality of life that doesnt have someone in pain like they where.

[@hannahmac8483]

A doctor who has gone to school and understands the benefits of this procedure, and not some random on yt with an opinion

[@HolySpiritActivated]

No one said she was healthy. Did u base all ur Intel off the title? She was in chronic pain and bedridden from a severe injury.

[@GHotSauceAnd1]

What the hell kind of knee injury requires you to get your entire leg amputated? Something doesn’t seem to be adding up. It’s not like she had a bacterial infection that caused immense necrosis.

[@dissadistfied]

like she said, the Complex regional pain syndrome

[@keleighshepherd345]

CRPS essentially means your body treats the effected limb like an invader and evokes a immune response (swelling, the blotchy skin you can see on her leg etc), as well as literally changing they way our brain is wired with regards to that limb. For me, this means I have poor proprioception of my left leg, agonising pain like someone has shoved a nail through my heel, I can't feel most of my foot and the bit I can feel currently feels like it is located about 3 inches to the right of where it is. I have phantom pain in a limb I still own. My sleep is disrupted nearly every night due to pain and I haven't walked without crutches for a decade. It is not a healthy limb at this point. There is no going back, no remission no positive outcome if you are left like this lass. For me, I'm pursuing the same outcome as the subject of this video. I'd rather lose the limb, have a prosthetic foot that I know I can trust and in the longer term walk without crutches, able to hold my girlfriend's hand. Little quality of life things that add up to being more able with less body.

[@ProteinSquirts]

She gets cheaper shoes now

[@jlm3124]

You can still go in the Olympics. Don't give up on your dreams.

[@aerobicsinstructor1743]

I’m originally from India. Both of my parents are from New Delhi India. This disorder breaks my heart in so many ways that I cannot even begin to explain. India has been voted as the most corrupted country in Asia. There are criminals in India who kidnap poor children from the streets, poor families, and orphanages and use them for begging. Sometimes they amputate one of their limbs or blind them so that they can earn more money as disabled or blind beggars. The maimed children are dispersed into different areas during the day and are taken back to the criminals during the evening time. All of the money goes to the gang leaders. The worst part about all this is that the government is not doing anything about the criminals because some of the money used is to bribe the police. This is still happening as we speak and the government of India is not doing anything about it. The same thing happens in China 🇨🇳 as well.

[@Jordysegs89]

These people need therapy, not surgery!

[@SheRaNur]

As a high qualificated intelligent strong yet tired woman, Sometimes Im jealous about stupid housewives as the have a simple life, no time pressure as someone takes care of them anyways... what's this illness? Constantly Burnout😅😅🤯🤔🥵💪😉

[@smoker6683]

Fantastic propaganda BBC

[@teguhf.2084]

This is like someone changing their gender, and choose to do it because of their desire

[@xienela]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@RayDrawzDragonz]

as someone who's trans and being faced with a decision to amputate a limb due to medical reasons (although undecided), this analogy is bs. both of these are for life improvement, transitioning makes one more comfortable with their body, and improves mental health. And chosen amputation can be for many reasons, in this case of the video its due to the pain of having the limb. you are very uneducated on both topics.

[@jzk2020]

faker

[@omgfandomfan]

C. Lincoln you okay?

[@skyjack1]

I don't think a real documented person can fake an amputation.

[@annetteslife]

Take your meds

[@VoidHalo]

What a misleading an exploitative video. I expect nothing less from The Anything But Learning Channel.

[@apsomething]

Stop writing all that she is brave, nothing brave here.

[@1leggedmedia]

Hello i have crps or rsd as well and after 17 years of living with a leg what doesnt work at the knee turns red purple hot cold and is nothing but pain all the time but much worst at night . I am having an above the knee amputation. Thank you for your story it helped me make the choice. But i do need to ask a few thing. How is the pain after? Can you use a prosthetic? Do you feel this made it better or worst? Here in the state pain management has become difficult to get as people abused the system so real pain patients suffer