School, why had Alex wanted to come back to school. People in general stared and gossiped and his classmates ignored him like he didn't exist. His assistant from social services was a straight out of uni, Gabby Christian. She was blond, plump and bubbly. So very up all the time. She made Tom seem emo. Tom took one look at Alex's pack lunch and put a hand on his shoulder and said poor you. Buckwheat noodles, tofu and mange tout in miso was definitely the weirdest lunch in the whole school. Tom offered Alex chip's but Alex just ate his super healthy pack lunch and smiled. By the end of the first day, Alex's stumps were sore and chaffed. He was looking forward to swimming before going home for dinner. Alex noted the local swim club practice started after Alex's allotted hour. Swimming at school was better than the three mile trip to Clapham to the local leisure centre. The coach watched the lone swimmer in the pool. Alex swam for 45 minutes lap after lap. He finished with two lengths of butterfly. He then hauled himself out of the pool. The coach handed over Alex's towel.
"Thanks." said Alex. The man watched Alex dry off and put on his legs. Respecting Alex's space, not bugging him with offers of help.
The man then stated "You swim well. Your backstroke and butterfly need work. Technique is everything." befire adding "I coach an S5 boy here on Saturdays."
Alex looked puzzled was this code "S5?"
Bill smiled at Alex's ignorance "Mark has cerebral palsy."
"So what am I?" Alex asked not knowing that disability was categorised by code.
"S8 I would guess." Said the man obtusely.
"What does that mean?" Alex was almost getting annoyed with the know it all swim coach.
"Ever heard of the Paralympic movement?"
So that was the clue, "No. Should I have?"
"A games like the olympics offering sports for disabled and blind people. Are you amputations recent?"
"July last year."
"Been swimming long?"
Alex almost answered sarcastically since I was four but the guy was being nice enough "I swam for school in Year 8. But I started again during rehabilitation in October."
"No rehab earlier?" Bill was a bit perplexed, swimming was standard in most programmes of rehabilitation.
Alex explained "I got a post op infection was in ICU for weeks, got better from that then got pneumonia."
"Come meet Mark on Saturday. He would love a training partner."
"What time?"
"9:30."
By the Wednesday, James Hale had finally said hello, but went back talking to the rest of his mates on the football team. Three year elevens kept following Gabby around. She was totally oblivious. Alex was asked by Miss Tenby to rejoin Drama Club. Alex declined as he had an appointment after school on Wednesdays. Thursday was Alex's first gym class. Mr Carlton looked at Alex like he had two heads. "Umm, can you run?"
"No." The bastard teacher looked like Alex had spoiled his whole year by not being able to play on the fotball team again.
"Jump?"
"No. nor skip or dance or pivot. Walking is hard enough thanks"
Alex went and sat on a bench when everyone else started playing basketball. Gaby went ballistic. She told Alex to get changed and they both went to visit Mr. Bray. Gaby then ranted on and on about inclusion and a level playing field. Mr Bray then asked what Alex wanted. He shrugged and said. I'll swim when I can. All the normals can play their sports I'll practice mine.
Normals. Mr Bray's mouth actually twitched. "I apologise for Carlton's lack of inclusion in his lesson plans. You have to make allowances for Sports Teachers. He'll probably get the hang of having a disabled pupil by the time he retires". Alex thought that was amusing Mr Carlton was about 26.
There was still a hour of gym to go. Alex went to the pool with Gabby and she read hello and he did laps.