sixwordstories | (no subject)

Mmh, I guess so. I almost needed one myself.

Are you... okay? [For, well, given value of 'okay' with wheelchairs involved.]

Oh I'm fine. Well, you know, apart from the fact I can't walk properly so Jenna says I can only go back to school if I use the chair.

Oh! [Not walking properly is somewhat better than not walking at all.]

Are you gonna get better?

Eventually yeah. But it's gonna take a while and my little brother doesn't like going to school without me. So I'm learning how to use this thing for him.

That's nice of you.

He's my little brother. [Shrugs] So what happened to you that almost you put you in one?

I- [...he falters a moment.] ...got injured. After training accident, sort of thing. Can't say I remember a lot of it, but the doctors say it's a miracle I can still use my legs at all.

At least yours was an accident. Jenna says I'll regain my legs in time. I just have to be patient.

...what happened to you? You're so little.

Aah, yeah. That's good to hear, at least.

...so what happened to you?

Yeah. I miss playing football.

Oh...my mum...[He looks a bit sheepish.] Everyone says she was ill but I think she just didn't like me.

I'm not little! I'm thirteen! [Because that's the important bit. Not what happened.]

Sorry. [Hey, when you're this tall everyone appears little.]

I meant you seem young to have such a serious injury.

Oh right. Well, my mum didn't look after me properly so I got hurt.

She drive drunk or something?

Oh. I... [He swallows.] sorry.

Hit me and stuff...

It's fine. I live with Jenna and Marcus now. And Henry too.

Ohh.

I understand. You live somewhere else now, then?

Yeah. I live with Jenna and Marcus and Henry now!

That's good. And you'll get out of the wheelchair eventually, so.

You said you play football, right? Does your school have a team?

Edited 2012-09-22 21:29 (UTC)

Are those cousins or something?

No. Jenna and Marcus are my foster parents and Henry's my little brother. [Technically foster brother but they don't say that any more.]

You get along with your brother, or is he a little shit?

We didn't used to get along but we do now.

Yeah. Just have to be patient. Shame I'm not good at that!

Yeah. I used to be on the team before...things changed.

That's a lot easier.

I'm Matt.

Mmh. I'm sure you'll be on the team again when you get better.

Yeah. I'm sure I will be. At least I get on the wheelchair basketball team now.

Yeah.

I'm Jake. Nice to meet you!

That's really neat! we don't even have a team like that on my school.

My sisters and I still fight. It's pretty bad sometimes.

Pleasure's mine. So, you stuck in that thing forever then?

I don't have any sisters thank god. Just me and Henry.

Nope! Just gotta rest and stretch and have patience. Jenna's a doctor so she's helping me get better.

Oh that's not a school team. But there's one at the local community centre and since I used to be good at basketball, I tried out and got in.

They're difficult.

That's pretty awesome, then. I have a friend who wound up in a chair when he was like, eighteen or something. He's never getting out of it.

Haha, wow. I've only ever been good at baseball. Is it fun?

Yeah. It's very different in the chair but it's still fun.

Edited 2012-09-22 21:49 (UTC)

Glad I don't have any then.

That's sad. I know I'm lucky. Jenna says I'm allowed to walk around the house as long as I'm slow and careful but I mustn't run and I have to be in my chair if I go out.

Yeah.

It's pretty amazing what you can adjust to. Even if you wind up with a limp or something, you'll get used to it.

[Jake nods.]

I'll get used to my chair and then I won't need it any more. [Grin]

Probably, yeah!

That's the important part.