Abstract

DIAZ AGEA, José Luis; SCHRIEWER, Klaus  and  ECHEVARRIA PEREZ, Paloma. Why me?: snapshots of the time of the accident in traumatic amputees. Index Enferm [online]. 2014, vol.23, n.1-2, pp.41-45. ISSN 1699-5988.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1132-12962014000100009.

Introduction: we describe a turning point of the life course of traumatic amputees. Objectives: To describe and to analyze the aspects around the instant of the accident from the point of view of the traumatic amputees. Methodology: qualitative ethnographic. Study Participants: 19 amputees mostly of traumatic origin. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, life histories and participant observation. Results: It appears the concept of "invulnerable", the unpredictability of accidents and the role of chance and randomness in the tragedy. The archaic discussion of fate versus chance is present. Conclusions: Many motorcyclist, with a lifestyle linked to leisure, experience the change of course, the slowdown that representing the event, metaphorically, from 100 to 0 km / h. There is a clear imprint on the imagination of the amputees about the power of science embodied in surgery and the concept of the immortality of the body.

Keywords : Traumatic Amputation; Medical Anthropology; Traffic Accidents; Disabled Persons; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.