INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Unroll your silicone liner so that it’s inside out. Then, place your stump into the bottom of the liner. Roll the liner back up over your residual limb. It should fit snugly, but not feel uncomfortable. When the silicone liner is fully in place, the strap or pin emerging from the bottom of the liner should be centered over your residual limb. Not all prostheses require the use of a silicone liner. If your doctor didn’t give you a liner, you don’t need to wear one when putting on your prosthesis. Lower the strap into the open top of the cupped portion of your prosthesis. The bottom of the cupped section (which will hold your residual limb) should have a 2 in (5.1 cm) slot. Feed the strap through this small slot. Let the strap hang down to the ground for now. Then place your stump into the cupped section of the prosthesis.  If your silicone liner has a pin at the base instead of a strap, this will work a little differently. Just push your residual limb into the prosthesis and put downward pressure on it until your pin clicks and locks. Below the cupped socket that you put your residual limb into there will be a pipe that supports the limb, followed by an extremity piece that is designed to look like a real hand, foot, or other limbs. Your silicone liner will be 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) longer than is needed to cover your residual limb. Grasp the excess silicone and fold it back down so it covers the top of the cupped socket. This will keep your prosthetic limb anchored firmly against your residual limb. It will also serve as a cushion so that the cupped part of the prosthetic limb doesn’t rub directly on your limb. Lift up the strap that you fed through the bottom of the prosthesis earlier. Slip the loose end of the strap through the O-shaped ring that’s at the top of the prosthesis’s cupped socket. Then secure the strap in place by hooking its loose end to the Velcro patch next to the slot that you fed the strap through earlier.  When it’s hooked into place, this strap keeps the base of the silicone liner (which contains your stump) firmly in place inside the cupped socket. This allows the prosthesis to move naturally as you walk as if it were part of your body. To remove the prosthesis, simply un-hook the Velcro, loop the strap back through the O-ring, and lift your stump out of the prosthesis’ cupped socket. Many people have prosthetic limbs that attach with a pin at the bottom of the silicone sleeve. To remove the leg, simply press in on the small button located at the bottom of the limb, just above the foot. Some people like to customize their prostheses with thin nylon sleeves. Put on the sleeve like a large sock: stretch out the opening, stick the prosthesis through, and then stretch the sleeve up until it fully covers the prosthesis. If you choose not to wear a sleeve, you may skip this step. The sleeves come in different colors and patterns (e.g., tie-dye or camouflage) and can be purchased through medical-supply stores.

SUMMARY: Roll the silicone liner on to your residual limb. Pull the strap through your prosthesis and insert your residual limb. Pull the top of the silicone liner over the top of the prosthesis. Feed the strap up and through the ring at the top of the prosthesis. Roll up a nylon sleeve if you prefer to cover the prosthesis.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you don't feel confident speaking your mind at work, it might not be the best idea to dive right in by volunteering for a major presentation or asking the boss for a big raise. Instead, start with something smaller.  For example, if you were promised some new supplies, like a new monitor for your desk, but your supervisor has forgotten about it or hasn't gotten around to it, make a polite request for those items you've already been promised. Small victories will build up your confidence and help you feel empowered to speak up on larger issues. When you achieve something important at work, don't keep it to yourself. You don't want to brag too much, but recognizing your own achievements (and having others recognize them) is important to building your self-confidence. Getting in the habit of self-reward and self-acknowledgement will help you feel your own worth and value. Even if you don't feel it inside, pretending like you are confident can make you feel more confident, especially if you make a habit of it.  For example, try to smile at your coworkers, and look them in the eye. Walk with some spring in your step, like you're heading somewhere important.  Dressing with authority can also make you feel more authoritative. Pick out clothes that are true to your own style and personality, but also convey the idea that you are a professional.  This strategy can both make you feel more confident, and can also lead others to treat you with more respect, which can likewise help boost your confidence. Think about day-to-day situations in which you often feel uncertain of yourself or hesitant to speak your mind, and look for an opportunity to practice acting confident and speaking up every day.  This may feel awkward at first, but this is how new skills are learned. Consistent practice is the path to mastery.  Repetition and success will eventually make this start to feel natural. It's important to spend some time thinking about tasks or discussions to which you could contribute more, areas where you are strong, and areas where you have room for improvement. Being assertive doesn't mean behaving as if you and your ideas are perfect. True confidence comes from emphasizing your strengths, but also understanding your weaknesses and doing what you can to challenge yourself to improve in those areas. If someone at work criticizes you by saying something that isn't true or isn't fair, try not to dwell on it. Time spent obsessing over criticism that isn't constructive can damage your confidence. It's also a waste of energy.

SUMMARY:
Start small. Celebrate your successes. Pretend you are confident. Practice daily. Engage in self-reflection. Dismiss unfounded criticism.