Thursday, May 19, 2016

More Like Him

Thomas Manning in his room at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, on May 14, five days after the 15-hour operation. CreditKayana Szymczak for The New York Times
That is a man to look up to. NY Times science writer, Denise Grady, was surprised that any man would openly discuss this. After all, she'd been seeking out patients on the waiting list who would and had been repeatedly turned down. She even offered anonymity; no names, no pictures, just their words. The responses were always, "no."

Then she approached Noah Brown, a public affairs officer for Mass General, and asked if the recipient would talk. Surprisingly, the answer was a resounding "yes." Not only was he willing to talk, he was willing to talk to a woman.

"Something that infuriated him, he said, were the ridiculous taboos around talking about sex and genitals in this country. 'How do people think we all got here?' he asked. 'Go ahead, ask me questions, ask me whatever you want.' It was almost a dare." Grady reported in her piece. (NY TIMES) [click the link for full article]

Much in the same way that Lance Armstrong, now disgraced and stripped of his record-breaking Tour de France wins, boldly discussed his Testicular Cancer, and as a result is probably responsible for saving countless lives, Manning is speaking out. Loudly and proudly.

We need more people like him. Particularly in the U.S. where shame, much of it brought on by religious zealots, permeates our society. Men (and women) pros or amateurs alike) who willingly pose for "pornographic" photos or perform for sexually explicit films, whether they realize it or not, are making a bold point. People who aren't afraid to be seen nude in public are making a statement: We are endowed with what nature gave us
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these things function as nature intended.
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There's nothing lewd, disgusting, or offensive about that.
Thank you to Jean for bringing this follow-up article to us!





8 comments:

Your French Patrick said...

"More Like Him"? As for me it is obvious because he is like you. And who doesnt want more like you? Not me.
I wish you a wondrous day, mon chéri, with lots and lots of bisous.

RockHard said...

Thank you, Tom. I hope you've inspired and encouraged others. It isn't the same, to be sure, but I don't care who knows I have a testicular implant. I joke about it. I have a bag of mixed nuts.

Unknown said...

Really great that this guy is so open about all this! Great post as usual! Had a long session with my doctor! Lots of things to discuss, as I will be 82 in ten days time!!!!!!! Hugs, Patrick

Mark Greene said...

I applaud him for his courage and thank you for spreading the word!

JeanWM said...

Also, cheers to NYTimes having a reporter on this. During the Vietnam war when you know there were the same injuries, this would never have been printed.

Most reconstructive surgery started out for injuries but end up available for anyone willing to pay. Think, Michael Jackson. That's where this will end up one day for sure. Maybe #8 will be common one day.

SickoRicko said...

Another great post!

Xersex said...

#3 most beautiful here!

whkattk said...

@ Rock Hard - See? There is no reason to be ashamed of wanting to appear and feel "whole." I think your decision to get the implant made perfect sense. A military buddy of mine had one of his balls removed years ago, but implants were not available then - not that Uncle Sam would've even considered it back in those days. Now, thankfully, they are beginning to understand the emotional ramifications of the loss of such important body parts.