First Steps In Recovery
"Push. That's it. Now hold. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and sit. Danny smiled reassuringly. Two years of intense weekly physical therapy sessions and Jackson was making radical progress. See that was better than last week."
"I know It's just-"
"Taking time?"
All his patients were the same. Once they started making even the slightest progress they wanted to see results now.
"I just want to walk. I want to get married and be able to walk down the aisle."
"Does Aaron know?"
"Yeah but I don't think he likes my new husband."
Jackson quipped.
"I bet. So what did he say?"
Not that Danny was usually one for gossip, but since working with Jackson he had got to know Aaron, Paddy and Hazel on a more personal level and they were lovely people, but marriage didn't really sound like something Aaron would ever consider.
"It isn't something he's ever thought about. But he understands why I want to and why I want to wait."
"So you have a goal. When were you thinking of?"
"By my thirtieth."
Jackson sounded tentative rather than hopeful.
"So that is… what in five years time?"
"Do you think I could do it?"
Danny wasn't one for making promises. He knew providing his client with false hope was the worst thing he could ever do.
"With the progress you are making at the moment I'd say it's possible. But you have to remember Jackson you are lucky to even be alive, so don't be too hard on yourself if you have a bad day."
"I won't."
"And don't set the bar too high. If you can manage to stand unaided by then that is a step in the right direction."
"I know."
He mumbled unconvincingly.
"So, where is Aaron? I need to ask him a favour."
"At the garage I think. Although I'd check the pub 'cos he may be on his lunch."
"It's my car I need help with. It is leaking oil or at least I think it's oil and I have a job over in Manchester tomorrow and I could really do without it conking out on me."
"If he can't look at it for you I'm sure Ryan or Cain will. Give him a call if you like."
"Na it's alright. I'll take a walk round there. Are you going to tell him about your goal?"
"Actually I was going to keep it as a surprise."
"Okay well client confidentiality applies then. So I'll see you next week at the same time?"
"Definitely."
"Keep us those exercises they are obviously helping."
"I will. See you."
Danny let himself out as Jackson re-positioned himself in his wheelchair. It was tragic what had happened to him, only twenty three years old, with a prognosis of being paralyzed from the neck down, but he had proven them all wrong as within the first year of his therapy he regained up to 75% sensation and mobility in his upper body.