Born with an abnormal left shin bone, 30-year-old Rahab Wanjau underwent five painful surgeries before recently accepting a doctor's recommendation to have her leg amputated. After completing the amputation procedure, the Canadian woman was disappointed to find that there were only two color options for her prosthetic leg and foot shell-neither of which even remotely resembled her complexion. When she asked her prosthetist if she could customize the color to more closely match her skin, Wanjau said she was told that the expense would have to be paid out of pocket.

Left with limited options, Wanjau opted for the lighter shell and dyed it when she got home. After the unsuccessful attempt, Wanjau contacted the company that manufactures the foot (Ottobock) and discovered that due to the prosthesis’s material, a permanent color change could only be made by the company or an outside professional. Neither options would be covered by insurance. “We have lots of color options when buying house paints, models of cars and makeup foundations,” she told HuffPost. “It would be great if I can pick a foot shell in my skin tone.”

Photo: Rahab Wanjau

“I would love to feel whole again,” she said. “To feel more confident, to embrace this artificial part that is now part of my body.” Cosmetic appearance is extremely important when it comes to user’s acceptance of a prosthesis, according to a 2007 article published by Physicians Postgraduate Press. A research report published in 2014 in Prosthetics and Orthotics International also argues that aesthetic quality of the prosthesis can help improve the wearer’s body image and psychological well-being. “I am raising a daughter and would love her to be confident and have self-love,” Wanjau told HuffPost. “How do I do this when I don’t feel so?”

In the meantime, while she is still seeking solutions for her foot shell, Wanjau is now rocking a sleeve over her artificial limb to more closely match her natural skin tone. We see you, sis.

Photo: Rahab Wanjau

rahab wanjau

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