Page 31 of Addiction

“Awesome.”

She pushes herself up on her residual limbs and walks over to me, her blonde hair that’s in high pigtails bouncing with each step. As she places the unicorn sticker on my cheek, another little giggle leaves her. “You look so pretty, Dr. Wade.”

“Thank you. Right, are you ready to play with the ball now before your mom comes back in?”

“Yes!”

“All right, get ready.” I get up from where I am on the floor and head over to the other side of the room to collect a green ball from the box.

Physical therapy can be intimidating for children at the best of times, and many kids who I treat have been through life-changing experiences. Jessica has had to adapt and adjust to life at just the small age of six. After contracting meningitis, she lost both her legs and, if that wasn’t enough, her older brother was killed in a snowboarding accident just a few weeks after her surgery. I like all my patients to be happy, even adults, so I try to make the experience as relaxed as possible. This is something my father never agreed with. To him, a patient is a business project—a chance to utilize his skills and make his way further up the medical board with more cash in his pocket than he can contend with.

Money doesn’t even come into it for me, much to my father’s disgust.

I sit on the floor a few meters away from Jessica.

“Okay. So what are we going to do first?”

“Bouncing.”

“Bouncing?” My eyes widen to humor her excitement. “Okay. Let’s see if I can do two before you catch it.” I bounce the ball but purposefully hold back a little so it reaches her in four jumps and I gasp dramatically, causing laughter to burst from her little body. “Oh, man. No sticker for me after that one. Your turn.”

“I’m going to do one big bounce.”

“One? Oh my. I need to be ready for this. Amanda, do you think you can help me?”

“You’re on your own this time,” she replies with a chuckle, watching us and monitoring Jessica’s movements.

I check the time, seeing our session is almost over, before looking back at Jessica and rubbing my hands. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“Catch!”

Instead of bouncing, she decides to throw it and I grasp it in seconds but make out that it’s super heavy and has taken me out. I fall onto my back and let out a defeated cry, and by the sound of Jessica’s deep belly giggle, I’d say it’s the best thing she’s seen all day.

“Dr. Wade, you are funny.”

“What is going on in here?” I hear Mrs. Summers say as she enters the room with a smile on her face. “I can hear your laughter from out in the hall.”

“Jessica is too strong with her throws,” I say, getting up to properly greet her mom. “I think I need more practice.”

I let Jessica choose another sticker and get Amanda to help her into her wheelchair while I speak with Mrs. Summers.

“We had a great session today.”

“Oh good. I was a little worried in the car because she was reluctant to come. It’s always the same when we drive over.”

“It could be because she is anxious. It’s still a big deal for her, but she’s come along so much. The muscle tone in her thighs and lower waist is improving each week, and she worked more with her prosthetics today.”

“That’s great. I just hope she can see in the future that they will help rather than hinder her progress.”

“Things like this just take time. Everyone is different but we will get there.”

Mrs. Summers smiles. “Thank you, Wade.”

“No problem at all.” I turn to Jessica who has now come over to us. “Right, little miss. Remember what I said about your physiotherapy homework and keep smiling until I see you next time. Okay?”

“You got it. See you next week Dr. Wade. And I want to play with the pink ball next time.”

“You got it.”