Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Man Demands Cousin Pay For His Cruel Prank, Gets Shocked By Aunt’s Reaction
Man with prosthetic leg using laptop on bed, reflecting on cousin's prank and auntu2019s surprising reaction.
User submission
3

Man Demands Cousin Pay For His Cruel Prank, Gets Shocked By Aunt’s Reaction

56

ADVERTISEMENT

Family: you can’t live with ’em, you can’t live without ’em. Sometimes it’s best to not live under the same roof, as absence can make the heart grow fonder. And being around one another too much can create conflicts or exacerbate existing ones.

One man quickly learned this lesson after letting his younger cousin move in with him for a while. But after a few months, it was clear that the arrangement wasn’t working. And one day, a “prank” sent the homeowner over the edge. Below, you’ll find the full story that he shared on Reddit in search of advice, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

RELATED:

    This man was gracious enough to let his cousin move in with him when he had nowhere else to go

    Image credits: s_kawee /envatoelements (not the actual photo)

    But now, he’s threatening to sue his cousin for breaking his prosthetic leg

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: voronaman111 /envatoelements (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: benzoix /envatoelements (not the actual photo)

    Image credits: Anonymous

    Later, the author responded to a couple of readers and provided more info on the situation

    It’s important to take very good care of prosthetic limbs

    Image credits: seventyfourimages / envatoelements (not the actual photo)

    It’s estimated that around 1.7 million people in the United States use a prosthetic limb. And the most common prosthesis is one that goes below the knee, as those account for over two thirds of all prosthetic limbs. Depending on the type of prosthetic leg needed and the user’s activity levels, the cost can range anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. 

    Regardless of the type of prosthetic limb a person has, it’s important that they take good care of it. Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics notes that this includes wiping the socket daily using mild soap and a damp cloth. Skin care is another important factor, as well as hygiene, to prevent irritation or skin issues. 

    The liner of the prosthetic must be washed daily and replaced every six to twelve months. And it’s important to keep them clean to control sweat and odors. Users must also inspect their prosthetic for cracks or loose parts regularly. Maintenance may be necessary to ensure that the prosthetic always fits properly and is able to do its job.

    Moving in with a loved one who uses a prosthetic limb may be daunting at first, if you’re unsure of how to help them or what will be expected of you. But one thing that’s for sure is that pulling “pranks” with their expensive limbs is a terrible idea.

    Pranking people, in general, is a dangerous game to play. Yes, we all love to laugh. But you have to consider who exactly will be the butt of this joke. Will they find it funny? Will it hurt their feelings? Will it cause permanent damage to something they own or your relationship with them? Often, it’s far too risky to go ahead with a prank if you’re unsure of what the consequences will be.

    Setting boundaries with toxic family members is often necessary

    Image credits: Zinkevych_D / envatoelements (not the actual photo)

    While we can assume that the man in this story didn’t intentionally break his cousin’s prosthetic, he clearly wasn’t thinking through his actions. And the rest of the family didn’t make the situation any better by blaming the homeowner for all of this drama.

    When it comes to dealing with toxic family members, Headspace recommends first deciding on the role you want to play in this relationship. Then set boundaries, and stick to them. Your relatives might not be happy to hear that you’re enforcing boundaries, but it’s not up to them. You have to take care of your mental health.

    Headspace also notes that it’s okay to take some time away from your family members as well. If drama is inevitable or they’re ganging up on you, it might be time to get some distance. This can also allow you to cool off and view the situation more objectively. Get some outside perspective, and think about how you want to respond in the future.

    Living with family members is often challenging, whether you’re a teenager or a senior. But if you own the home, you’re not obligated to open your doors to every single relative. If they don’t respect you, it’s time for them to pack their bags.

    We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing similar family drama, look no further than right here

    Many readers sided with the author, noting that his family should replace his prothesis as soon as possible

    However, some believed that everyone could have behaved more maturely

    And some readers thought that the author was being too harsh

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·

    29Kviews

    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Adelaide May Ross

    Adelaide May Ross

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about three years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

    Read less »
    Adelaide May Ross

    Adelaide May Ross

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about three years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    I'm a senior visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

    Read less »

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Viktorija Ošikaitė

    Author, Community member

    I'm a senior visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    Read less »

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    What do you think ?
    Shark Lady
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What planet are the ESH and YTA people on, OP did a decent thing for family and ended up with no leg. If it were me I would be reporting him to the police and suing him. 21 is not an excuse for behaving like a toddler.

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think some people just like to be trolls. I'm sure if they were the ones inconvenienced that their tune would be very different. OP definitely did nothing wrong.

    Load More Replies...
    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Dont cause an issue because of the holidays.” Are these people anencephalic?! Cousin caused a MASSIVE issue for the holidays; why does HE get to cause issues and get no blame for them?! THE MAN IS MISSING A LEG, and he’s sposta wait til after the holidays to START THE PROCESS OF BEING ABE TO WALK?! Fυck tenants rights laws; the idiot and his junk all go in the dumpster NOW because he does something that gets OP decapitated (“It was just a funny prank!”). And the calendar has NOTHING to do with getting this problem solved. The family worrying “how they’ll look to others” should be disowned IMMEDIATELY. I suggest OP go on a massive SM campaign, naming everyone involved, and try to drum up some sympathy from organizations who make prosthetics low cost/cheap for people who can’t afford them. Surely SOMEONE will see his story and wanna help. And the sooner he gets these brainless, thoughtless users out of his life the better off he’l be. That poor man, having to live with these аssholes.

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The OP wasn't 'decapitated' - nobody cut off his head. He was incapacitated, though.

    Load More Replies...
    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Don't sue Cousin - it's Xmas!" "Don't sue Cousin - it's Arbor Day!" "Don't sue Cousin - it's Interntional Strawberry Day!" BS, all of it. Hope OP sued TF out of cousin.

    Load More Comments
    Shark Lady
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What planet are the ESH and YTA people on, OP did a decent thing for family and ended up with no leg. If it were me I would be reporting him to the police and suing him. 21 is not an excuse for behaving like a toddler.

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think some people just like to be trolls. I'm sure if they were the ones inconvenienced that their tune would be very different. OP definitely did nothing wrong.

    Load More Replies...
    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Dont cause an issue because of the holidays.” Are these people anencephalic?! Cousin caused a MASSIVE issue for the holidays; why does HE get to cause issues and get no blame for them?! THE MAN IS MISSING A LEG, and he’s sposta wait til after the holidays to START THE PROCESS OF BEING ABE TO WALK?! Fυck tenants rights laws; the idiot and his junk all go in the dumpster NOW because he does something that gets OP decapitated (“It was just a funny prank!”). And the calendar has NOTHING to do with getting this problem solved. The family worrying “how they’ll look to others” should be disowned IMMEDIATELY. I suggest OP go on a massive SM campaign, naming everyone involved, and try to drum up some sympathy from organizations who make prosthetics low cost/cheap for people who can’t afford them. Surely SOMEONE will see his story and wanna help. And the sooner he gets these brainless, thoughtless users out of his life the better off he’l be. That poor man, having to live with these аssholes.

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The OP wasn't 'decapitated' - nobody cut off his head. He was incapacitated, though.

    Load More Replies...
    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Don't sue Cousin - it's Xmas!" "Don't sue Cousin - it's Arbor Day!" "Don't sue Cousin - it's Interntional Strawberry Day!" BS, all of it. Hope OP sued TF out of cousin.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT