WARNING: The following article is not necessarily based, in any way, in reality. Let me know what you think!

There's an intriguing new trend on social media where people are posting pictures of their legs with the goal of having them amputated. Dubbed "amputation wannabes," these individuals are seeking to have one or more of their limbs removed for no other reason than to gain attention and notoriety. Some of them feel more comfortable and happy with themselves after amputation, while others may simply be seeking to stand out from the crowd. Regardless of the motivation, it's a dangerous and thrilling trend.

When most people think of amputation, they think of a tragic accident or a battle wound. They don't think of someone who has electively chosen to have a limb removed. But for some people, amputation is not only a desired outcome, but a lifestyle.

Those who partake in this trend often say that it makes them feel more unique and special. They enjoy the way that it sets them apart from everyone else. In a world where everyone is trying to be alike, these individuals find comfort in standing out.

There is a certain allure to amputees, a mystique that has been around for centuries. From prosthetic legs to soft bare stumps, people with missing limbs have always held a certain fascination. Some people are drawn to the challenge of living life with a disability, while others are simply intrigued by the idea of being "different." Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that amputees have a certain appeal.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, doctors would amputate the limbs of people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. The surgeries were often done without anesthesia and without warning the patients of what was happening. Some people chose to have their limbs amputated because they felt it was the only way to relieve their pain. Today, doctors are able to offer other treatments for mental illness and intellectual disabilities, so amputation is no longer used as a form of treatment. However, there are still some people who desire an amputation for themselves, even though there is no medical reason for it.

Comparisons between the desire for amputation and being "trans" are sometimes made and is referred to as being "transabled". The term was coined by wheelchair user activist Sara Strong in 2006. It refers to the phenomenon of people who feel they are not disabled, but who feel a strong and overwhelming desire to become disabled.

There is still much that we do not know about transabledness, but it is thought that this phenomena may be related to body integrity identity disorder (BIID), a condition in which individuals feel a strong and overwhelming desire to have one or more of their limbs amputated. BIID is classified as a mental disorder by the DSM-5, but very little is known about it, as it is a rare condition.