I can’t imagine how it must mess with your head to be SO emotionally invested in your looks, body, muscle mass, and vanity only to have it all stripped away to the point of losing your leg… and becoming “that guy.” The one people stare at for unwelcome reasons. What a come down! And he returns to the gym… for what? To build muscle mass again? To try to look “good” again? Doesn’t he have anything else in his life to focus on? A relationship? Read a book… go fishing… play chess… collect stamps… take up carpentry… get a degree…
This reminds me of some pictures I’ve seen of Sophia Loren in her 80s still trying to look “sexy” in clothing that is inappropriate for a woman her age. She never got the memo: No one wants to see 80 year old breasts falling out of a dress no matter how much make up you have on or how big your wig is. She is so used to being worshipped for her beauty she literally has nothing else to offer the world and nothing else to hold on to.
Sad cautionary tales both.
