Jessica Long, with double amputation, is a paraswimming medallist
One of America’s most decorated athletes of all-time, a speaker, author, advocate and sports personality. She said: “With the never ending support of my family, I understood that the only thing that was going to impact my future was my attitude towards my life.”
Lauren Wasser, lost her legs to toxic shock syndrome
Brought up in LA, the athletic daughter of two former models, Wasser turned down a basketball scholarship to embark on her own career in fashion. “Growing up, [my body] was something that I thought was untouchable,” she muses. After her amputation, Wasser describes how she had to rebuild herself “from the inside out and really see what life was about – that it was about so much more than just the physical form”.
Neil Harbisson, cyborg who has an antenna implanted in his head
Neil Harbisson identifies himself both as a cyborg; he feels he is technology, and as a transpecies; he no longer feels 100% human. His artwork explores identity, human perception, the connection between sight and sound and the use of artistic expression via new sensory inputs. In 2010, he co-founded the Cyborg Foundation with Moon Ribas, an international organization that aims to help humans become cyborgs, defend cyborg rights and promote cyborg art. In 2017, he co-founded the Transpecies Society, an association that gives voice to people with non-human identities and defends the freedom of self-design.
Anastasia Synn, magician, transhumanist and biohacker
The most technological implants in the body (female) is 52 and was achieved by Anastasia Synn (USA) on the set of Lo Show dei Record in Milan, Italy, on 2 February 2023.
Anastasia has various interactive, technological implants with the most poignant being multiple tributes to her late husband.
Justin Worst, an archaeologist in whose hand the LED device was implanted
Justin Worst, a biohacker with Grindhouse Wetware, showed off the “Northstar,” a small disk-shaped hand implant that Grindhouse is hoping to turn into a gesture recognition device. At the moment it’s a mostly nonfunctional prototype that does little more than light up underneath your skin, but with Northstar 2.0 you could perhaps wave a finger to have your phone pull up a specific app, saving yourself a number of taps in the process.
Timothy S Cannon, the transhumanist who wants to overcome biology
Experienced Scrum Master with a demonstrated history of working in the biotechnology industry. Skilled in Databases, IT Strategy, Biotechnology, Java, and .NET Framework. Strong business development professional with a Associate of Science (A.S.) focused in Computer Software Engineering from ITT Technical Institute-Indianapolis.
Haven Shepherd, the US swimmer paralympian who survived a family suicide attempt in early age
“My parents detonated a bomb inside our tiny, thatched roof hut. I was supposed to die that night.” “I don’t remember the explosion. It’s strange to know something so traumatic happened to you that you shouldn’t be alive, but you have no memory of it. Even though it changed the trajectory of my life in the most profound way. One
Footless Jo’s’ brave leap of faith
Beckwith has turned those hard-fought lessons into her life’s work. She describes herself as an advocate, writer and public speaker “who passionately believes in the incredibly perseverant capacity of the human soul.”
Samantha Tokita McLean, content creator and disability advocate
Little leg, big attitude. Muaythai fighter congenital amputee portrait photographer. Content creator and disability advocate.
John Edward Heath, after having his leg amputated, this former Marine won’t let anything stop him
“I’m the first amputee a lot of pro athletes have ever seen, let alone lifting the amount of weight that I do,” said Heath. “They don’t know the struggle of what it is being an amputee, and wearing a prosthetic. When I take off my running blade and take off my stump sleeve, and they see a large-scale of skin and blisters, they’re like, ‘Yo, what?’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ And they’re like, ‘How are you training on that?’ It just opened up a whole different conversation.”
Bethany Hamilton, shark attack survivor
On October 31, 2003, Hamilton went surfing off Makua (Tunnels) Beach on Kauai. As she was paddling on her surfboard, a 14-foot (4.3-meter) tiger shark attacked. It bit off her left arm just below the shoulder. Friends immediately called for help, and Hamilton was rushed to the hospital. She lost more than half the blood in her body and underwent several surgeries. Miraculously, she was able to return to surfing a month later. Within the year she was once again entering competitions. She adjusted her technique to compensate for the lost limb. In 2005 she won a national surfing title and joined the professional ranks two years later.
Kanya Sesser, demonstrated that physical differences are not limits in life
During the first year of being adopted it was hard to connect with my new family. My first language was Thai, I had to learn English and I didn’t develop full English until I was about nine years old.
In school I had many friends but I was scared to go to birthday parties and I was shy to meet new people. I was never been bullied, but questioned and looked at, and those things are typical for me, nothing has changed.
But life was amazing in high school. I was a jock, going to all-state championships, had lots of people around me and went to many parties. Those were the years I lived my life carefree.
Transhumanism and body modifications
The transhuman will be that individual who uses technology to improve skills and abilities such as sight, hearing, physical resistance, memory capacity, professional performance, etc., in such a way that, little by little, we will form a new race of humans that will be the posthumans.
In the movie The Witches they make a negative representation of the difference in limbs
Did you watch Robert Zemeckis’ remake of THE WITCHES this Halloween? If so, did you enjoy it or did something bother you about the appearance of Anne Hathaway’s character? Was it her hands? You may not be alone as criticism has come in claiming the Warner Bros family film is insensitive towards people with Ectrodactyly, a limb abnormality that’s commonly referred to as “split hand.” In a statement, the studio said it “regretted any offense caused.” Those who’ve spoken out against the character say that they’re concerned about the movie sending the wrong message to children, that people with physical abnormalities are villains or should be perceived as scary.