I have been in the O&P field for over 12 years and only learned the meaning
of this word a month ago through some associations with the ACA. I feel as
though, as a Certified Prosthetist, I should have learned about this
somewhere, somehow. I feel obligated to protect my patients and feel
cheated that I was never exposed to this knowledge. And I don’t consider
myself too naïve. As I began to inquire more, I found out that no one at my
facility knew what a devotee (or wannabe) was either. This is very
concerning to me. Bothersome and concerning. For those of you who do not
know, I will try to professionally sum this up. A devotee is an individual
who has inappropriate desires (sexual) for amputees or those with congenital
deficiencies. A wannabe is an individual who desires to be an amputee. For
anyone out there who has not been informed about this sickening behavior,
please educate yourself. It is our obligation to protect our patients.
