Part IV: Restoration
The comb shook as the curled fingers gripped its sleek side. A few grunts and an awkward push forward allowed Johnny's comb to actually contact his unruly head of hair which of late had seemed to grow twice as fast. Since he no longer had to comply with the department's dress policy he had allowed it to grow longer during his recovery plus it made his facial hair look better. He also had grown out his beard and mustache to help hide the gaunt features of his face due to his injuries. As he contemplated this morning's appearance he concentrated on getting the comb through just one more time. With another jerky movement of his hand and a slight twist of his neck, the comb made contact again and Johnny felt the now familiar moments of success.
It had been four months since the electrode surgery and the ensuing therapy to learn how to use the new technology. He had worked hard and continued to improve every day. His upper arm strength impressed the doctors and the fact that he was able to master the basic commands rather quickly helped to keep his confidence and motivation up. The morning sun streaked through his window and he closed his eyes to feel the warmth penetrate his tired face. He found that this new journey was exhausting in ways he never imagined. He also found that the depth and breadth of his best friend's love extended beyond his own imaginings. Upon the news that he would not need 24 hour care at the Rehab Center, Johnny began to wonder what to do next for his new lifestyle. The ranch was certainly beyond his abilities to care for and it wasn't suited for a wheelchair with its two stories and wrap around porch. Roy seemed prepared for all of this and he and Joanne had a serious conversation with Johnny knowing that he would find ways to lessen his dependence on their family. Several hours later on that rainy night at the Rehab Center four months ago, the three of them agreed that Johnny would stay with them indefinitely and that arrangements would be made to get Johnny's house remodeled over time as funds, time and volunteers warranted. While Johnny was uncomfortable with the fact that Roy and Joanne were to restructure their own home and routine in order to care for him, he felt blessed beyond the Great Spirit's measures that he had this family in his life.
Johnny opened his eyes and gazed out the window of his room. This room was added onto Roy's house in anticipation of Johnny's needs with the intent that it would become a mother-in-law suite in the future. It was spacious with a high ceiling and had a large bathroom off to the side. The large bay window that ran from the floor to the ceiling allowed Johnny to soak in the daily weather and keep him as close to the outdoors as possible. Roy and Joanne knew that Johnny's hiking and camping trips were something he missed terribly. The room allowed for Johnny's privacy as well as a sense of independence. The fact that a large hallway attached to the main living area of Roy's home offered the physical tie Johnny needed to accommodate his needs.
Jenny and Chris loved having him around and he became their tutor and counselor. Joanne was pleased and amazed at how much Johnny contributed to their school work and he seemed to really enjoy being involved. Since Johnny was now able to have limited use of his arms, he was able to manipulate and practicing using common items. This always brought forth ways for the children, in turn, to help their Uncle Johnny as he learned new ways to function.
So, all in all, the last few months for Johnny had been a transition with few bumps in the roadway. It was all well and good that Johnny was adapting to his new world, but there were increasing pangs of guilt, regret and sorrow that Johnny was not fully functional in society and that his days of helping others seemed to be gone. He knew that deep down in his soul that he was successful at being a paramedic and rescue man because he cared about others deeply and he had a real talent for his work.
While the counseling sessions and the new life skills training were directed at finding a new way of life for Johnny, he felt that this new journey was missing something. A certain hollowness gnawed at him in small ways reminding him that there was more for him to do. He just wasn't sure what that was.
A gentle knock at his door pulled Johnny from his morning reflections.
"Johnny?" Joanne tentatively asked.
"Come on in, Joanne, I'm up."
"Good! How are you today? Can I get you anything before we leave for your session?" Joanne already had a hot cup of black coffee in her hands. She had a lid on it knowing that Johnny's steadiness was still inconsistent and he appreciated her attention to the small details to make things easier for him.
"Oh, much better now that I smell that coffee!" Johnny grinned as she placed the thermal cup in his two hands. While the muscles in his arms were gaining strength his hands and fingers continued to stay curled and in awkward angles. This was due to the lack of exercise to the extremities and a common thing for quadriplegic patients. Johnny worked at extending his fingers as much as possible but they seemed to have a mind of their own. The fact that he could still feel some things with them was enough for him. The fact that he was able to make some arm movements without feeling the actual responses himself was another strange experience. But again, the very idea of moving his arms with his own direction was extremely satisfying.
"Well, good. I've got the kids off to school and anytime you're ready we can go," Joanne replied.
This day wasn't much different from any other day. Three times a week Johnny went to physical therapy and once a week he attended his counseling session. Johnny's dedication to his exercise and rehabilitation since the electrode surgery improved his emotional functioning. The post traumatic stress along with the depression was mostly under control and Johnny made sure he kept it that way. He also knew that without Roy's support he certainly would have been lost. Involving himself with Chris and Jenny and helping Joanne also helped Johnny face the world of paralysis with a better attitude.
He maneuvered his chair down the ramp from the outside door to his room. Clouds were gathering hiding the warm sun from Johnny's face. He concentrated on controlling his chair down the walkway to the van he had bought after trading in the Land Rover. This was another difficult piece of his former life that he had to give up but he chose to think about how great it was that the entire family could ride in one vehicle instead.
Droplets of rain began to fall after Joanne had started up the van and they began traveling the busy interstate to his exercise and therapy appointment. They enjoyed having conversation without the kids around and both Joanne and Johnny liked to keep up with Roy from each other's perspective. Johnny always appreciated how Joanne never made him feel like a burden but instead a valued and loved member of the family.
The rain pelted the windshield and the spray from passing cars made Joanne's visibility less than desirable. They both concentrated on the road ahead of them and Joanne made sure that she focused on the ramp as they exited the highway. Thunder rolled above them and the storm continued to grow.
"This one sure came up fast," Joanne commented, working to ease her nerves.
Johnny watched the wipers flash back and forth with splashes of rain. "Yeah, I know."
The single lane road narrowed as they approached the intersection. Joanne cautiously followed the signal allowing them to cross over. The van's wheels spewed fresh rainwater and dirty asphalt up on the shoulder as the flooding streets overflowed the storm drains. They were a few miles away from the center and Joanne slipped the transmission into a lower gear to accommodate the slope of the road.
She noted the headlights of the large semi truck coming toward them from the downward curve of the road. She acknowledged that both their speeds were appropriate for the rainy conditions. She glanced in her mirrors making sure that everything was normal. She didn't, however, look back behind her as the truck passed her. She simply kept moving forward but in an instant the back end of the truck clipped the back end of the van as it finished the curve. It was just a slight nudge that didn't bother the truck driver. But the van felt the clip as though a boulder had fallen to its side. The next thing Joanne knew the van skidded to the shoulder and crashed through the guard rail. She suddenly looked at Johnny who was already in motion up against the glass of the passenger window as the van plunged down the side of the road. Rain, mud, weeds, smoke and fear were the last impressions Joanne witnessed before the dark clouds shrouded her vision.
Bottom of Form 1
