Cutting Desire

"Cutting Desire" is an article about individuals with Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) which is the "overwhelming desire to amputate on or more healthy limbs or become paraplegic."  This illness is most prevalent in middle aged, white males.  There is a debate between whether or not this is a mental illness or a part of an identity that is wired into an individual genes.  Jesse Ellison discussed several different aspects in regards to BIID, scientists are trying to draw attention to this disease to get more funding for research.  There are many unanswered questions about this cutting desire.

I find it interesting that the majority of people that struggle with BIID are middle aged, white men.  There are a lot of pressure in today's society to be successful and obtain the perfect life.  Our culture defines the perfect life as having a strong sense of community with friends and family, a secure job, and an ideal body.  These pressures can be overwhelming.  In a world were many men provide the income for their families, these pressures are increased.  I think these pressures can escalate BIID.

Therapy can be a very good way of treating this disease.  Although many people state that "nothing touches it except surgery.  Psychotherapy doesn't work.  Psychiatry doesn't work.  Medication doesn't work."  Although these individuals do not think therapy is a good way of treating this disease, I think with the right medication and the right amount of therapy sessions, the disease can be under control.  Furthermore, I think that support groups would be a key element in getting BIID under control.  Having people that can relate to the struggle would be a great way to release intense feelings.  I do not think surgery is the only way to cure this disease.

Personally, I think this is a very selfish disease.  There are people in this world that are born with a missing limb or endure a traumatic experience through out their lives in which a limb needs to be amputated.  The article states that "the idea of deliberately becoming disabled could seem offensive to disabled advocacy groups."  I completely agree with this statement.  Disabilities are a serious problem in today's society and I find it disturbing that there are people in this world that would willingly cut off a perfectly healthy limb.

I have seen the emotional and mental responses of how a person reacts to an amputated limb.  My cousin was in the Marines.  He was walking with his fellow Marines when he stepped on a bomb and lost both of his legs.  It was not his choice to lose his legs and it has greatly influenced his life.  If he could go back to that day and change what he did, I am sure he would.  People take their lives for granted.  I think we all need to put our lives into perspective and realize how good we have it.  This disease is insulting to many people.

Rough Draft

Jessica Izzo

English 201

February 11, 2016

Rough Draft

Society has created strict guidelines over time in regards to an individual being perceived as “healthy.”   Through articles, movies, and interviews these perceptions have been developed and molded into individuals minds.  Many define health as having a balance in all aspects of life.  One that is secure and stable, both physically and mentally.  Furthermore, society has made it clear that an individual should be able and self-sustaining in order to be considered a healthy human being.  Figures such as Roxanne Edwards, an inspirational bodybuilder, and Stuart Ewen’s who recorded an individuals journey to the perfect body through his work, “Hard Bodies,” both demonstrate different aspects of “health.”  

Roxanne Edwards is a 5’3” 138 pound professional bodybuilder.  She began her bodybuilding career at the age of 30.  With the use of a strict workout regimen, vitamins, and steroids, Edwards has flourished in the bodybuilding community.  Does she possess all of the characteristics of an individual at the peak of their health?  Someone with the perfect body?  No.  Society has rigid guidelines for an individual with the perfect body.  Edwards body may be “peeled” however, she did not go through healthy measures to get these results.  Steroids have a negative connotation when brought up in a conversation.  In Roxanne’s interview, “Roxanne Edwards is Superhuman” conducted by S. Adrian Massey, Roxanne was asked if she had ever used steroids.  In response, she stated “the steroids I use make me harder on stage, twice as hard.  All I am is muscle, and eyes, and teeth (Massey).”  Someone regarded as “healthy” would not need to take steroids to reach their fitness goals.  Although steroids are used to help an individual perform better, it does not demonstrate a balanced lifestyle, rather one of artificially inserting a drug into the body helps them to perform better in that instance.  

There is definitely a relationship between a spectator, either someone looking at pictures or watching Edwards perform, and Edwards herself.  Roxanne brings up the idea of insecurities in her interview with Dis Magazine.  Where a spectator may be judgmental in regards to Roxanne’s body, Roxanne does not have any regrets with her decision to become a bodybuilder.  When asked about her views on bodybuilding she states, “its the best thing you cold ever do for yourself (Massey).”  Furthermore, Edwards comes across as an extremely confident individual.  She recognizes the insecurities other women struggle with and wishes she could do something to fix them.  She mentions that she still has insecurities, they are just different; not physical like most people, rather mental and emotional.  Her body is at its peak. She makes sure her audience is aware that she is a strong individual and does not need anyones approval to continue her routines. 

Furthermore, Stuart Ewen’s work “Hard Bodies” brings the audience on a journey through an individual’s life through his experiences while exercising.  Raymond H. is a “single, young, urban professional- whose life has become a circle of work, money culture, and cultivation of an image (Ewen 62).”  This image, the image of the perfect body, is obtained by Raymond through repetition.  Repetition every single day, in the same exercise and the same diet.  

When Raymond looks into the mirror to admire his progress he can’t help but notice the imperfections of his body.  Although he is in prime condition he notices every aspect of his body that is not absolutely perfect.  His life revolves around an image.  An image of his body being in ideal condition.  An image created by society and the media of what the perfect body is supposed to entail.  No imperfections and no flaws.  Even though the advertisements are full of touchups and models full of makeup to cover their imperfections, todays society still idolizes these models.  Raymond seems to be brainwashed by workout facilities and the advertisements.  The thought of failure is not an option in his life.  He has a constant need to workout and improve his body because there is always something to remind him of what the ideal body is supposed to look like.  

Overall, the guidelines for a healthy individual are standard through out a society.  They are mostly developed from our take on media and advertisements.  The media generalizes how one can be healthy.  For example, advertisements make it seem as though there is a form of health that applies to everyone.  In “Hard Bodies,” the advertisement for at home gym equipment  describes a man with “his identity situated below the neck, an instrumentally achieved study in brawn (Ewen 63).”  This man’s body comes across as perfectly sculpted.  The author states that “the airbrush has done its work as well (Ewen 63).”  This man’s “perfect body” is not real.  While the audience sees a flawless body, it is stated to the audience that this body is full of makeup.  All in all, the perfect body does not exist.  

“Hard Bodies” emphasizes the idea that although society sees advertisements full of models with perfect and flawless bodies, they are not real.  Ewen brings light to the idea that there is a lot of makeup and touchup work done to these models.  The idea of a healthy person and the perfect body are generally closely linked together.  The perfect body does not exist.  Although body builders such as Roxanne Edwards have extreme muscle definition and essentially no body fat, this does not necessarily mean she has the perfect body. 

Jess Izzo Blog

Pure confidence.  Remarkably brave.  Uncommonly bold.  Just a few of the adjectives that begin to describe 30 year old bodybuilder, Roxanne Edwards.  While many 30 year old women have settled into their careers and families, Edwards has just began her incredible bodybuilding journey.  Throughout the interview with Dis Magazine, the idea of the “perfect body” was consistently discussed.  Through the responses she provided, her audience received a glimpse into the mindset of Roxanne Edwards.  

Personally I don't believe those who take exercising to the extreme have a healthy body image. Edwards is 5’3,” 138 pounds, and has less than four percent body fat.  She is a petite woman with a body fat percentage that is extremely unhealthy.  Furthermore, she spoke about taking steroids early in the interview.  Using steroids “to look twice as big on stage” does not represent an individual with a healthy body image.  Moreover, Edwards stated that ”all I am is muscle and eyes and teeth and some abs. That's it!”  While she takes pride in her appearance, realistically, Edwards does not represent someone with a “healthy body image.”  However,  in class we discussed the idea of the perfect body image.  I believe that Edwards can be perceived as one that has acquired the perfect body.  Ideal and flawless.  Society strives to obtain the perfect body: ripped, toned, cut, which are all characteristics of Edward’s body.

Although Roxanne Edwards might be perceived as having the perfect body, when competing the issue of race arises.  She describes a situation in which she is competing against a white woman who is identical to her, same weight, height, and performance.  Because Roxanne is African American, the woman she is competing against will have a better outcome because of her race.  “They want what they can market.” Roxanne expresses that this situation is unfair, and leave it at that.  

Femininity is currently an extremely popular topic.  I respect Edward’s view on this topic.  She believes that women can be defined however they want.  Women have the ability to work past their insecurities because she is living proof.  “I see where their insecurities are and wish I could do something to change them.”  Edwards expresses that she has her own insecurities, however they are quite different from other women’s.  While many women are insecure about their physical appearance, Edward’s insecurities remain more mental and emotional than physical.  Her stance on this topic is extremely interesting and refreshing to read.

After listening to the interview I looked at the pictures of Roxanne.  Her appearance is very intimidating, but after listening to her interview I respect all of the hard work she has put into her journey.  Her confidence is extremely inspiring, she is perfectly comfortable in her own body and would not do anything to change it.  Roxanne spoke about participating in nude photoshoots.  I applaud her for having the courage to partake in this.  In todays society, everyone is extremely critical and judgmental in regards to body image.  Roxanne Edwards embraces her body and her life which is extremely inspiring for everyone who has come across her story.