The Girl Up Top
Hey everyone, this is a quick but quite important post –
It’s been mentioned by one or two people that they’re uncomfortable with the third image on my banner above the blog, the one with the nude woman amputee. The image is actually cropped (and slightly edited) from this picture (caution: contains nudity). As far as I’m concerned, it’s a really powerful image that juxtaposes the themes of disability and beauty, two words which are very rarely mentioned in the same sentence. However, I can also see how it might make someone feel uncomfortable and I’m happy to replace it if people feel that way.
So I’d really appreciate it if you could leave a comment below letting me know if you are happy with the image or if you would rather I replace it.
Thanks very much 
EDIT: Since the recent major redesign to Walking Is Overrated, the banner is gone, and so is the girl! Maybe this will put the issue to rest once and for all…
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I say keep it – you’re right, its a beautiful and powerful image.
I think you should keep the picture, As wel i think it is a Beautiful and powerful image that should be displayed
Big ups to the woman in the photo, it takes alot of guts to show your disability off. Personally I prefer to hide mine as I got sick of being stared at and the discrimination you get.
Leave the pic – its lovely!
We need more positive and strong images like this one to fight all of the negative images we get normally
Leave the photo – nothing wrong with it! and GREAT site
Thanks heaps for the feedback guys – she’s staying! To be honest, I’ve blurred her chest a little but nothing which detracts too significantly, I don’t think!
Thanks again
ps. – Check out the forums if you haven’t already!
Keep the pic Red, as she’s totally unofensive to me and a lot of others I’d imagine, and anything that comes along and shows disablement in a beautiful and positive way has to be a huge step forward from some of the horror images that Holywood frequently portrays!
Good luck with this excellent site, and we’ll spread the links where we can.
First of all, I congratulate you on your sense of proportion in cropping (and also slightly editing) the photograph! Secondly, I wonder why people should feel “uncomfortable” about it! Is it for the partial nudity? Or is it for the amputated limb? Beauty never really meant statistics and completeness of a human body, female or male, it goes far beyond those! If anyone feels uncomfortable for the amputation, they should have no business looking in here!
It’s an extremely strong photograph! And having just this cropped part is enough to convey the message. The entire photograph is not at all necessary! It’s as strong a message as putting up the naked statue of the pregnant disabled woman at Trafalgar Square at London!
No offence taken, this is a great image and I am impressed by your site. Well done on all accounts
Yep. Leave it. Nice item on Close Up there too.
I think she is beautiful and what makes her even more beautiful is her selfconfidence. The whole photo is so powerful and the cropped version is certainly not offensive, it is a beautiful girl!
How about doing some reviews of hotels and motels. Lots of people struggle finding a place to stay and the disability units often aren’t able to accommodate a lift…or a commode.
Keep it up
Anne
the photo is picture perfect. leave it as is. too many things are so pc these days. sensational segment on close up tonight. good luck with changing the way things should be built for disabled people, or very short people. we’re all somebody and it doesn’t matter who you want to be.
Well Red, first off you know my views on nudity………………………….and second I think she’s beautiful and you are making a very worthwhile statement by having her pic on here. Go you!
Why shouldn’t a woman with a disability also be portrayed as a beautiful woman? Those that find it offensive could only be lacking in their own self confidence. It’s not like its an explicitly nude shot, it just emphasises my point. I say keep it there. Disabilities affect all people from all walks of life, both male and female.
Keep the picture Red..not only is it well taken, there’s nothing about it which even suggests offensive. Maybe those who are offended by this would also be offended by a mum breast feeding her baby…Go figure
Leave well alone Red, always someone to take offence and if you take her down they will complain about something else, choice pic and brave young lady!
hey bro..to be honest I didn’t even notice the amputation till I read your post on it, good on ya mate gotta keep pushing the boundaries and keepin it real
I think this is a great photo, and I’ve always wanted to know who she was. She’s strong, beautiful, and she happens to be an amputee – if anyone has a problem with the picture they need to reevaluate themselves and their own personal prejudices and bigotry.
Get with the times people! Beauty is broader than what Sports Illustrated/Maxim/FHM will give you.
Peace
I hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure the “original” image was photoshopped by a pervert. I have a cousin who is an above-knee amputee, and she says it’s a big deal, and that amputees have to watch out to make sure that whoever is interested in dating isn’t just gratifying a fetish. Google “amputee devotee” for more info.
I think all would agree she’s beautiful. Good for her.
I think you should keep it, this woman appears to be happy with her body and more women should take not of this and her obvious bravery and beauty.
This is the first time I have visited your blog and am really impressed by it. I have a web site called” TheGimpyGirls.com”. Our name is similar to one of those “amputee devotee” sites that doob has mentioned. At first we were confused with the other site but now we out post them and have a higher Google ranking, which probably pisses them off. I really like the photo and would really like to know it’s source. I certainly think you should keep it on your header. Your header is well done and is a strong statement that projects the diversity that is the rainbow of the disability community. (Corny! I know)
I have to agree with everyone else that this woman is beautiful; however, I’m pretty sure that doob is right. She is a victim of “e-surgery” and not a real amputee.
As a graphic designer, I would point out that the uniform background makes it easier to pull of this kind of retouching, and you might want to take note of the fact that her “stump” muscles are too toned for a person wh cannot “walk” or do curls. Also, her “stumps” look suspiciously like knees and elbows.
Sorry to disappoint ….
leave it. it’s very inspiring.
it’s beatiful. it makes your site much more interesting.
I am a student at the University of Sydney and I am doing research on disability and sexuality. As a nondisabled person, I believe that people in our society need to see and accept the sexuality of all it’s citizens especially that of the disabled as they have been asexualized by so many and for so long! It is our responsibility as global citizens to perpetuate the idea that there is no such thing as a “complete” body, there is no such thing as “normal” and I am glad that some people are offended because it means they are actually thinking for once instead of eating the oppressive garbage they have been fed about what is and is not acceptable. It is time to shove the reality that disabled people experience sexuality(ies) which is part of their total identitat and that they are proud of and want to express!
In Your FACE!!
Hi Red
Yes I think its a great Idea to keep the pic up! I think its a very eye catching image – in agood way, just wondering where did u find the pic from and is she a real lady?
Thanks,
Hi keep the pic its balanced.
As for the reactions we all have some times when those reactions come up and they give us the opertunity to reach a little deeper inside to see what our reaction is really about. Weather we do that or not is up to us as individuals. I tend to see this picture is a bit like good art it stimulates and that is always good for getting a reaction sometimes as it moves us deep inside.
I think you should leave it up. She is obviously proud of her body as we all should be of our own no matter what form it takes. Her hair is so beautiful. She is just another attractive woman who happens to disability, they do exist.
yes. the girl is beautiful
yes. it’s photoshopped and girl is not actually an amputee
no. it wasn’t done by amputee devotee. it’s a work by british photographer known as perou and it is a part of bigger series named philadelphilia and portraying different “philias”, so…
yes. it is in fact about acrotomophilia
probably photo was staged by purpose to make “electronic surgery” easier and model knew that she will be shown as an amputee
artist’s page you can find here: http://www.perou.co.uk
I have to admit that I didn’t notice the photo depicted an amputee. I was admiring the way you’ve cropped it & admiriing the lines & curves. I like all the pictures you’ve used actually.
The photo is stunning, very powerful image indeed. As a wheelchair user myself I understand how society tries to deny that disabled people are sexual being (just like everybody else).
I’ve posed nude myself but I don’t think I have the guts to post it to the net. Maybe one day I migh, who knows.
i wish i could find a woman like her to date and marry because i dont see her as handycappied i see her a handycapable i have a cousin that is deaf and i have male friends that are amputees and there is nothing they cant do to be in fact one of the guys on the garden county high school football team had his left leg removed back when he was in first grade and he played high school football an man that guy could hit