Open - hopefully on a comeback

As much as Sophie didn’t like the idea she knew she needed a lot of help and other accommodations made for her. A wheelchair lift was installed for her to get to her room, her workshop was on a ground floor level and a ramp needed out on the front door. Someday it wouldn’t just be her in that situation. Eric meant well and because he was a friend she couldn’t get mad at him for suggesting this.

“Yes really Eric. A sunken pirate ship. I’d have to find out how many people the tour can take at one time and how many of us can sea swim but you get a diving rig and a waterproof radio headset. So you can talk to others and the guide. The ship was left exactly the way it was sunk but there is also a museum on the site where you can see some of the items found on the ship.

It’s only one idea and I can see how excited you got. We could even breakup into groups and do different things but we do need to brainstorm this first. Without ideas we won’t get far”.

Then she heard the alarm going on her phone and looked over the mobile you couldn’t miss resting on her towel. “That’s pool time over. Off to physiotherapy now” she added. She just needed to dry off but could stay in her swimsuit before she got back in her wheelchair. With effort she used her arms to get out of the pool and rest on its edge.

Eric Reed

It would have to be an organised trip or at least an approved one but they could at least make enquiries once the gang brainstormed and involved others. Looking back at Eric as she sat up and reached for her towel.

“We’ll have to ask Gigi whatever plan we come up with. It’s not as if we’re only going to the mall. If you can help me get to physiotherapy and then check in with the gang later on we can figure this out. Even get one of them to ring me as I have to stay here 24 hours” Sophie suggested.

Then she dried herself off ready to move again and get to her wheelchair. She couldn’t escape this therapy but she could stay in the loop.

Eric Reed

So with Eric pushing Sophie guided him and it didn’t take that long till she she got to the physiotherapist. There was the table for massage treatments, the walking bars and a balance bar here amongst other helpful things. Even a treadmill. So there would be two hours of this before she got lunch and a rest. She was also staying overnight so that meant a bed in a side ward with other children. Eric might well run into some of them too as Sophie wasn’t the only damaged child on the island.

So while she didn’t want to be stuck in a chair forever she knew it was a possibility and while it frustrated her it didn’t get her down that much.

“Thanks Eric. I might see you at lunch time” she sweetly said once the woman was ready to start the session. The aim was to take more weight on the weak leg and build up the strength again. So she could at least walk on it eventually even if she wouldn’t be quick.

So as Eric had other people to help it wasn’t long until Sophie rolled out again heading to the cafeteria. Two hours in fact and this time she had remembered her dressing gown.

Eric Reed

“Hey Eric” she called out seeing him with a sandwich and chips. She had a tray with three pieces of fried chicken, sweet corn and fries. She normally ate well so was allowed something this now and again. The tray rested on her lap as she wheeled herself over.

“Not feeling that hungry then?” she posed sounding curious.

Eric Reed

Sophie could have an afternoon nap after this lunch before she would go back to repeat what she'd done already and an a conversation with Dr Shaw before bedtime. That was why it was intense rehab.

"Do you think you could be a doctor some day?" Sophie posed before placing her tray on his table. "I'm pretty sure worrying about people is normal. I feel that way with the younger children. Also with the gang". The population of the orphanage was also growing.

Eric Reed

Sophie wasn't quite sure how she stood with the whole of humanity yet. Knowing her mothers story, triad life and her own experiences she did think that path could be changed into a more positive one. What path however was a mystery so far. She did know she wanted to do something that could help people and that was starting with life in the orphanage.

"I'm not sure of a career yet but I do want to help people and make a difference when I grow up" she replied before starting on her lunch. She was already kind of doing this with her dolls.

Eric Reed

Sophie smiled a little and replied “it depends if it’s for a boy or a girl but a GI joe is an action figure for sure. I’ve never seen a Jane to go with the Joe but I had a little boy asking about that idea. It will take a bit of work but I can adapt a Barbie into a GI Jane for him to play with. Sourcing female outfits in that style is a bit of a pain”. Somethings still weren’t changing fast enough even with over a century of women fighting on the front line.

“It’s what I can do to help right now and you’re right. Our aims will change as we get older but the end result stays the same” she added as she started on her lunch.

Eric Reed