Dr. Rhea W. Alister's Questionnaire

I live in rural upstate New York. I live there because it’s in the same general area, but also just because I enjoy it. The weather is constantly cool, and it’s much less noisy and overstimulating than the city, which is great for a visit, but it would be actually torturous if I lived there full time.

I was quite lucky to get the house I have, not near a major road or highway, a large enough garage space to turn into a workshop, and… I’m going to be completely honest, I don’t all to much use the living room at all. Hm. I could probably do something with all the space I’m wasting with my kitchen, dining room and spare bedroom. I’ll have to note that down and shelve that for later.

What were we talking about? Oh yes, where I live. Lovely place, wouldn’t trade it, might need to rent part of it out.

I am a prosthetist by trade, meaning I deal in the design and manufacturing of prosthetic limbs and mobility aids. Though my income tends to be fairly low, due to the fact I work dependent on commission, and with my particular style there isn’t a lot of desire for my accessibility augments, even though they’re better quality than most the things you can find on the market nowadays. People don’t value my craft enough, the effort and design that goes into every piece I make.

My expenses mostly go back into my artistry, unfortunately. I suffer for my art and my art makes me suffer, an oroboros. But when they aren’t, I make enough to get by. I have a pile of money set off to the side just in case, but it’s mostly just squeezing by when it comes to money. I don’t really do much or get out very often.

My ambition requires a bit of context. You see, when I was younger, I was in the car with a friend of mine, she was driving, and we had a head on collision with a drunk driver, killing her and absolutely destroying my leg to the point of requiring amputation. That’s where my goal stems from. Humans, as they are, are weak and poorly designed. So my ambition is not o redesign them better, stronger, faster, smarter. More resilient and flexible in every way. Reinforce their ankles, knees and backs. Push evolution a million years forwards in my lifetime.

There is no line I wouldn’t cross for this. For the beauty of the human mind to persist, the human body must be born anew. I would kill or die if it means everyone else can survive and live comfortably in this world, with their minds intact. Because that’s the real beauty. A mind. A soul.

When I was 13-ish, I was in a car crash that killed my friend and mangled my leg. It taught me a few things that day, such as the weakness of the human body, that bars should not just let drunkards drive off into the night, but also to cherish everything I have, to save it and protect it, because it could all be gone in an instant, a flash of light on a rainy road, dead on impact. I was afraid then. In horrible pain, bleeding, on the edge of passing out. I only survived because I could dial 911 and tell them where I was before I passed out.

Agatha Alister (My Mother): She’s a lovely lady who, despite trying to push me towards more traditional doctoring, has done her best to support me, and make sure I’m still as sane as when we last met. She hasn’t actually seen me in the past several months, I’m trying not to give the woman a heart attack with my appearance.

Stormy (Friend met online) (digital alias: thunderstorm4!): A Canadian body mod enthusiast only a couple years older than I. We met online in those sorts of forums, and they are an absolute joy to talk to. In fact I’ve set them up an appointment with me when they fly down here so I can help with modding and fixing them up. 

Emily Hall (best friend): A 23 year old woman who met me while she was studying in my field. While our fields and interests vary slightly from one another, she is my closest friend by the virtue of being the most interesting to converse with, as she’s familiar enough with the field to challenge my ideas.