Ch. 216 – Judy's Adventure - The Proposal
 
By: Judy Mekas
 
 
Over an hour later, our hosts entered the living room. Chris was in a 1920s-style pinstrip suit, wearing his black protraction headgear—no orthopedic braces—and pushing Blake in her wheelchair. Blake looked as I left her earlier; however, she had touched up her makeup and hair and had a pair of low-heeled black boots of vintage style on her feet. They both looked great! Both of them were smiling and had an aura of contentness about them; it is obvious they are quite pleased with Blake's BioTronic device. Chris said with a smile, "We have the entire evening planned out, so let's get going." We all made our way out to the bus and got loaded up, with Chris driving.
 

The place we went for dinner was super cool, but going inside was a bit scary. Chris parked on a side street and, pushing Blake in her wheelchair, led us down a rather dark alley between old buildings. There were security cameras all over, and a large group of people emerged from the building in the distance. It felt creepy, like the day Leigh and I first pulled up in front of MJ BioTronics.
 

Chris led us to where the people exited the building; it was an old freight elevator. He knocked on the door, and they opened slightly, with Chris quietly saying, 'Barcalo'. The doors opened fully, as did the metal cage, and we went inside. The doors closed, and the operator, or, better said, bouncer, warmly greeted Chris and Blake, and the elevator began to descend. Once stopped, the doors opened on the opposite side, revealing a 1920s-style speakeasy full of people having a great time eating and drinking. The place looked amazing, and it's no wonder Chris and Blake dressed as they did.
 
 
Chris introduced us to the maitre d', who was a friend of his. As we were led to our private dining room, we took in the impressive decor and the warm feeling of the dim lighting. However, all eyes were on Blake and me in our wheelchairs, especially me in my brightly colored halo cast; I really stood out among the darker colors everyone else was wearing. I'm glad Chris arranged for a private room for us.
 

The cocktails were amazing, and so was the food. Chris could only have one drink since he was driving, but the rest of us had plenty. The prime rib was the best I have ever had, as were the roasted potatoes. I ate so much that my tummy was really pressing against my cast; I didn't get a window cut in my cast, but now I wish I had so I could eat more. Chris suggested that we get our dessert packed to-go as he has special plans for us this evening.
 
 
On the way out with Jimmy carrying our desserts, we stopped and purchased memberships in 'The Underground', as this establishment is known, for us and our friends. In the spirit of skirting the law, by being a club, there is no last call and smoking is permitted. We paid two bits for each membership, names were put in a ledger, and we were given numbered cards that were simply printed with the phone number, ATlantic 5-6614, for reservations.
 

Once back in the bus, Chris said there was a meteor shower happening tonight, and he drove us to a secluded site past a locked gate. It was a two-way radio site for the state that had a clear view of the night sky in the direction of the heavenly show. Chris helped us all get out of the bus and set up a chair for Jimmy, then pulled an old blanket out of the bag on Blake's wheelchair to spread on the ground. Chris then unstrapped Blake from her chair, picked her up, and gently set her on the blanket. With her hips paralyzed, she couldn't sit up without supporting herself with her arms. Chris sat next to her and helped her lie back, then Chris laid next to her, and they held hands to enjoy the show. I reclined my wheelchair to get a better view of the sky as Jimmy took my hand.
 
 
Then, as the show in the sky was winding down, Chris quietly stood and picked up Blake, holding her tight. Blake put her arms around Chris's neck, and her legs swung around awkwardly and swayed as they embraced. Chris gently sat Blake in her wheelchair, then kneeled before her to carefully position her legs and feet, but he didn't strap her in. Chris then removed his protraction facemask and Blake's elastics and orthodontic protraction component from her spinal brace and simply tossed them aside on the blanket. Jimmy looked at me and whispered, "What the hell is going on?"
 
 
With Chris now reaching into his vest pocket and pulling out a small box, we knew what was happening: a marriage proposal. I turned my wheelchair slightly to face the couple, the motor seeming to roar in the silence. Chris opened the box, took the ring from within, and then he said the words I know Blake has been waiting to hear: "Blakely Santos, will you marry me?" Blake's face lit up, and her legs began to wildly spasm, which caught them both off guard. She reached out to hug Chris, saying, "Of course I will, honey! I love you so much, and you make me so happy. I'll be proud to be your wife!" Chris slipped the ring on Blake's finger, and they embraced again with much kissing while Jimmy and I quietly smiled at each other, remembering our engagement.
 
 
We congratulated the newly engaged couple, and Jimmy lifted Blake from her wheelchair to give her a hug. He then sat Blake on my lap so we could hug. I was shocked when I could slightly feel her weight on me and the heels of her boots rubbing on my legs; sensation was coming back to my body. Chris carefully put her back into her wheelchair, carefully positioning her body and legs, then placed her orthodontic component on her brace and attached her elastics, but not without one last kiss. We all got back on the bus, with Blake transferring to one of the bench seats so she could sit close to Chris on the way home with Jimmy driving.
 
 
Once home, we changed into casual lounge wear and enjoyed a bottle of celebratory champange, then ate our desserts. Chris and Blake made a few phone calls to close family, and I sent texts to Leigh and Collie, spreading the happy news of the proposal and the fact that Blake was paralyzed at the time. It was getting late, so Jimmy and I decided to retire for the evening. We said good night and went to our room, leaving Blake and Chris sitting on the couch cuddling.
 
 
The next morning, Blake was still in her black spinal brace and her wheelchair, still paralyzed. Over a simple breakfast, Blake said that between her and Chris, they had dozens of messages expressing congratulations. Some were even from friends of ours that Blake and Chris have never met, like Dr. Johnson, who was pleased that Blake was enjoying her invention. After breakfast, Jimmy and I decided to head back up the mountain to the retreat, and Chris said they would see us this afternoon. We offered them the spare bedroom in our suite, and Blake was excited to spend the night. She has spent the night many times at work, but never in the suite Stevie comped us.
 
 
Upon returning to the retreat, Jimmy decided to get a loaner power chair to roll around in for the rest of the day. We got a picnic lunch made for us, then went to enjoy the outdoors and eat our lunch. After lunch, we made a loop around the lake and reminisced about our courtship and our early days together. Finally, we made our way back to our room, and we were no sooner settled in when Blake and Chris arrived.
 
 
Chris was without orthopedic braces and dressed casually. Blake was in her wheelchair, still wearing her black patent leather Kuehnegger brace under her blouse, with its polished metal sparkling in the light like the bands on her teeth. She was not wearing her KAFOs, but she did have high wedge sandals on her feet that were all but hidden by her long denim skirt. On her wrists, she wore her black SATS braces; she looked as adorable as ever. Chris put their bag in their bedroom, and we chatted over cocktails.
 
 
With it nearing dinner time, Blake wanted to go tell her coworkers about her engagement. We made our way to the lobby, where she was congratulated and Chris was complimented on his choice of engagement ring. No one seemed to take notice that Blake was in her wheelchair and not wearing her KAFOs; it must not be uncommon for her to do so. The person who was happiest for her was Stevie, who is like a brother to her.

 
Blake had spoken to him late last night to give him the news. He picked her up from her wheelchair to hug her, and I could tell by the look on his face that he detected that Blake had no strength in her legs. After their warm embrace, Stevie carefully set Blake back into her wheelchair and intently watched as she carefully positioned her legs using her hands. I imagine there will be a very interesting conversation between those two in the near future.
 
 
We enjoyed dinner, and then the guys decided to watch a boxing match in the bar while us girls found a quiet place to chat. Blake, who, as you know, has a fear of surgery, asked me all sorts of questions about the placement of my implant. Was it scary? How bad did it hurt? How long did it hurt? I told her it was a little scary, but after watching Leigh's procedure, I wasn't worried. I told her that the incisions were a bit uncomfortable for a few days, but after a week, I felt great. Finally, Blake asked how much my implant and procedure cost. I explained that Dr. Johnson actually offered to pay Leigh and me as research subjects, but being able to paralyze ourselves was payment enough.
 

Blake then told me how much she is enjoying her BioTronic device and that it has a magical effect on both her and Chris, especially her leg spasms. She told me that she plans to use the device whenever she is not at work and is thinking of getting a power chair, too. Blake said she is even considering the implant, too. Laughing, I warned her to be careful and become addicted to the device, or she might end up becoming like Leigh and me. Blake's simple reply was, "That's OK."
 
 
The guys soon joined us, the boxing match was over, and we made our way to our suite. Once there, I gave Blake the charging mat for her device and went over with Chris how to remove Blake's catheter when she finally tires of it. It was late, so we all went to bed, and that is where things got interesting for me.
 

As Jimmy was taking off my shoes, I could fully feel what he was doing. Then, once he got me onto the bed and removed my skirt, he began to massage my legs. I could feel most of what he was doing, and Jimmy could tell. He began to tickle my feet, and I immediately began to laugh. I tried to pull away; my legs didn't move, but my hips did slightly. I'm beginning to get feeling and movement back! But, just as quickly as it came, feeling disappeared, as did the slight movement in my hips. My implant was teasing me, which led to a rather intense love-making session, with my implant teasing me even more.
 
 
The next morning, we could tell that Chris and Blake had as passionate a night as Jimmy and I had. It seems both of them are enjoying Blake's paralysis and the other effects, like spasms. We ate breakfast in our room, then I wanted to take a painting class. Blake was excited to paint with me; she's quite the artist. All my artwork is done on the computer, and I want to learn how to do it for real. The guys wanted to go trap shooting, so we agreed to meet in the afternoon.
 
 
We all had a wonderful day, and it seems that I have a new hobby and a beautifully decorated halo cast, too. The guys had fun shooting, with Jimmy scoring a perfect round of doubles trap and then instructing new shooters. Chris did quite well, only missing one in a round of singles. An early dinner was in order so Chris and Blake could get back to town; Blake wanted to go out again, paralyzed in her wheelchair.
 
 
After dinner, we said our goodbyes and said that we were looking forward to getting together again soon. As we were parting ways, Blake, with a huge smile, said, "Thank you both so much, and thank Dr. Johnson for me. We absolutely love the device; it's amazing and a lot of fun!" Chris turned bright red with embarrassment, but he also smiled wide. Evidently, he must be enjoying Blake being crippled as much as she does. There is much exploration for both of them with the various settings and modes the device has, which Mike is constantly updating.
 
 
Jimmy and I had another romantic evening together, but we did get a good night's sleep for the trip home. Jimmy was once again fully braced for the trip home—we had breakfast, then hit the road. On the way home, I could kind of feel the bumps in the road in my lower body, the straps securing my legs, and my shoes on my feet. Mike had told me that my device would slowly transition from full paralysis and no feeling to simply paralysis in my legs like Collie has. I think this transformation is well under way.

 
The next few weeks were uneventful. I've been going to the office two or three days a week, which has been fun in my halo cast. The new hires that I am working to get on board have had a lot of questions, which I love answering. More sensation has been coming to my legs, and my hips have quite a bit of strength now. I don't know about my back; it's still immobilized by my cast. I think that soon I'll have my catheter removed and find out if I have bladder control. If I do, I might try walking with my KAFOs.

Ch. 218 - The Clinic 1

By: Leigh Jacobson
 

I can't believe how long it's been since I have written anything; I've been so busy. I'm glad that Judy and the others have been keeping you entertained with their interesting and emotional stories. Since I have written, so much has happened, and frankly, I'm worn out both physically and emotionally. That's why, for the last week, Joel has had me in my full-body brace, forcing me to take some time to relax.
 
 
For the past two months, I have pretty much been on my feet in my HAKFO-Milwaukee brace and on crutches. My arms and wrists are sore, despite wearing my thumb spica braces, and my back aches from all the crutching around. At one point, I even turned off my paralyzing implant to see if I could get around more easily, but it was no use. Everything below my navel is so weak and atrophied that nothing works; my muscles would just quiver or spasm. However, I did enjoy how my braces felt on the parts of my body that haven't had feeling in for quite some time. It was quite pleasurable, so now my device is programmed to paralyze me but allow feeling in my lower body and legs. It's sort of like how Judy lives her life, but my paralysis goes up a little higher. But, for now, I'm in my full-body brace and enjoying myself, letting my body completely relax until Joel sets me free.
 
 
So let me tell you what I have been doing. Ever since I broke my leg skiing in college and then broke my wrist at work, I have had a fascination with casts. It wasn't a fetish or paraphelia at that point, but when Joel came into my life and introduced me to recreational orthtopedics, I was hooked. Then I got my orthodontic braces and my new Milwaukee brace, and you all know where that all eventually led. I was lucky that Joel knew how to make casts and that he knew Dr. Joe to brace my teeth and Gary and Rita for my orthopedic braces. Then we had our chance to encounter Dr. Ben Northridge and his wife, Jackie, on our honeymoon. I have always had friends who could make any orthopedic or orthodontic fantasy a reality. That's not the case for most people, and we're doing something about it.
 
 
I got to thinking about when I first met Rebekah, when she was an Uber driver. I remembered placing her wrists in my Exos thumb spica braces and how her face lit up when she experienced the immobilization. Knowing me, she and Paul had the resources to explore their fantasies and dreams, as did all my friends and the new friends I made while enjoying the recreational orthopedic lifestyle. Just think of poor Blakely if she didn't have all of the love and support we gave her, along with her 'comfort casts', during her journey with all her medically necessary braces. 
 

Kathy, Rebekah, and I had always talked about how we could share our unique desires with the world. We talked to our friends like Gary, Billy, Joe, and Ben about our dream of bringing recreation orthopedics and orthodontics to the masses. They all agreed to help, but there was no way three retired ladies could do something like this on our own. That all changed when Judy and I met Dr. Myra Johnson.
 
 
Myra, with her psychological background specializing in paraphelias and abasiophelia, thought that a clinic that caters to these needs was an excellent idea. With her on board and her reputation as a well-respected professional, we decided to move forward. The first steps were to recruit other professionals, which was no problem with all of our contacts. Even Dr. Pam Moore is going to work with us until her condition degrades to the point where she cannot leave her home. We all got together one weekend and brainstormed, and the concept for The Clinic was born.
 

Now, what exactly is The Clinic? Well, it's many things. First, it is a licensed and accredited psychological facility specializing in paraphelias and BIID. We don't publicize that we are a mental health facility, but that is what was necessary for our accreditation. This allows us to provide what Dr. Myra Johnson, the facility administrator, refers to as 'empathy and experience therapy'. Simply put, this means that if you want to experience, within reason, a particular orthopedic or orthodontic treatment to see what it is like for a friend or family member (empathy therapy) or are just curious (experiance therapy), we provide those services. Myra has written several articles for major publications about our facility, leading to many inquiries from professionals all around the world.
 
 
For some things, like wanting to wear a simple neck brace or a cast of some sort, we offer a walk-in service. After filling out an admission form, your case is quickly evaluated, and you are given the cast or brace you desire at a modest cost. With Halloween coming, we have already been getting a lot of requests from people wanting casts or braces as part of their costumes. A SLC, with crutches, a cast shoe, or a walking heel, is only $45, and a SAC or SATS is only $25. With low prices, I know our services will be very popular. Keeping costs down is one of our main priorities, so along with our specialized services, we also have a medical supply store that caters to the general public's needs. This allows for bulk purchases, and that really helps with the bottom line, plus it's a wonderful service to the community.

 
The Clinic is located in an old hospital building (more about this later) that takes up an entire block in the redevelopment district that Joel and Pete spearheaded. In other words, we have plenty of space for related, independent practices and some other fun things, too. Joe and Billy have moved their practices into new, larger facilities in the building, and we also had an optometrist, Dr. Donald Snyder, move in, too. All these businesses have their own entrances on a side street, but they are connected internally to The Clinic to provide services to our clients, too. Joe is offering his special orthodontic treatments that take into account the patient's unique desires, and the optometrist is the one Emme got her blinding contacts from and where Millie gets her colored ones. Like Joe with orthodontics, Dr. Snyder caters to those with special desires, like glasses over contacts and blindsimming contacts.
 
 
Something else that is really cool is the pub and nightclub that we are opening. These combine the love of orthopedics and orthodontics with the love of good food, drink, and camaraderie. The restaurant, Bob's Pub, is named in honor of the man who created the first online recreational orthopedics community, Plaster of Paradise. It's a Scottish pub and offers a wide variety of food and drink.
 
 
To cater to the younger set, we are opening a club called The Asylum. We think it will be popular with the students and the artistic crowd that live in the area. There is really nothing special about these establishments except for one thing: all the staff are encouraged to wear some sort of orthopedic or orthodontic braces with everything provided as part of their uniforms. I know each and every one of you would love to have dinner at Bob's Pub or spend an evening at The Asylum being waited on by our braced staff after getting a cast or soothing the discomfort of your new orthodontic braces.
 
 
When it comes to the braces part of the uniform, it amazed me that everyone got KAFOs like Blakely wears that don't much inhibit range of motion. Those who had worked as wait staff before were pleased with how comfortable the shoes were that we chose. Billy and his assistants made custom insoles for every staff member, and the ladies find their rather high-heeled Mary Janes very comfortable to wear. The men at the pub love their oxfords and think they look great with their kilts and knee-high stockings, and the platform boots for the staff at The Asylum are well liked, too. 
 
 
When it comes to orthodontic braces for the staff, a lot of them chose to get clear retainers with brackets applied to them. When the molds for the aligners are made, Joe sets up the CAD software to make a slight indentation where each bracket is placed. This makes applying the brackets in the correct position quick and easy and gives the brackets a bit more support. Hawley retainer based fakes with headgear are quite popular among staff, too. Some employees even got tongue cribs to give them lisps. I have no doubt these folks share the same interests as the rest of us when it comes to orthodontics. Finally, a good number of staff decided to undergo actual orthodontic treatment, free of charge, as most everyone's teeth could use a little or a lot of work. Even if they leave employment with us, their treatment will continue free of charge.
 
 
Now that you understand the basic concept of The Clinic and the services provided, both professional and recreational, let me tell you about the actual facility. Originally opened as 'The Union Charatiable Clinic' in the early 1930s and expanded during WWII, it has always been known simply as The Clinic. It was built during the Great Depression as a cooperative effort between the few remaining businesses in the area and the local trade unions. The land and building materials were provided by the businesses, and the labor was provided by unemployed union men, but they were not paid. Instead, each man and his family were given a daily ration of food and free medical care to keep them healthy in those trying times. In the end, our town had a free clinic and hospital that would serve the community for decades.
 
 
As time went on, The Clinic was showing its age. The area around it was in economic decline, and there was a new hospital across town. The structure was deemed historic, saving it from the wrecking ball, and found use as a substation for the local ambulance company until very recently. Luckily, this saved the structure from decay; it is well preserved and free from vandalism. 
 
 
Now this is where things get interesting. Joel and Pete have a team of lawyers that handle all of the transactions in the redevelopment zone. As usual, they took care of the purchase of the old hospital, and none of us actually saw the inside until after the purchase. When Sam and Millie found out we had completed the purchase, they asked if the contract had the usual clause that included all the contents of the building. It did, and they got very excited and asked when they could go inside and once again explore. Joel inquired what the girls meant by 'once again explore.' They explained that they had explored the building when in high school, and we would be amazed by what was inside. They were very tight-lipped, and we were all anxious for the old structure to reveal its secrets.
 
 
Over the years, many of us have been patients or visited friends in the old hospital. In fact, it's where I got my big, heavy plaster LLC applied back in college and where my scoliosis was treated in my youth. Sam and Millie were the only ones who had been inside since it closed, and they were very anxious to go back. Joel and Pete had some initial repairs made, including getting all the elevators functional while the deal was closing. Finally, we had the keys and made our first visit to what would once again become The Clinic. 
 
 
We gathered at the bus shop, which is only two blocks away, early on a Sunday morning. Then we walked, crutched, or rolled to the old building with Sam and Millie in the lead. Once inside, they made a beeline to the elevator, and we all followed, riding up to the fourth floor. Once there, the girls quickly made their way to a conference room. They were on a mission!
 
 
Entering the room, we saw on the blackboard a large heart with the words 'Sam loves Millie' written in it in Sam's writing. Over it was written in Millie's hand, 'Forever'. It was a message they left behind during their exploration years ago. We took several pictures of the girls by their profession of love, including several where they proudly showed off their wedding bands. They had never imagined that years later they would be back to see it as a happily married couple. Joel later had it removed and framed behind glass for them. 
 
 
Then Sam and Millie showed us around more; they knew where all the cool things were. It seemed as if nothing was ever gotten rid of over the years. Old equipment like wheelchairs, operating tables, lights, beds, furniture, and x-ray machines were all stored away in unused rooms. The items spanned all decades of the hospital's operation, and things were in amazing condition. We have had all of it restored, some for actual use by clients who want to experience treatment from a specific time in history. Other things are in the medical and orthodontic museum that we have put together, with additions from the personal collections of the doctors and nurses involved in the project. All the specialists involved in the project enjoyed seeing the equipment used by their predecessors, with Joe and Ben remembering using some of the vintage equipment early in their careers. 
 
 
In the basement, there was even more equipment and old supplies stored away. Wooden crutches, wheelchairs, old-style orthopedic braces, waking irons, and heels—you name it, it was there. We are having many of these items duplicated for use in The Clinic for those who desire a historical medical experience. Combined with the vintage-style uniforms the nurses and attendants will wear on the vintage wards, these items will be very popular.
 
 
Also in the basement were several old ambulances covered by tarps. The 1935 Packard is beautiful, and the 1949 DeSoto Sedambulance is a rare find. There were also several Miller-Meteor Cadillacs: a 1959, along with a 1965 and a 1972. Finally, the newest one was a late-'70s Dodge van. All the vehicles were brought to the bus shop, where Joel had interns from the automotive trade school restore them. So we have a fleet of classic ambulances to pick you up after your 'accident' and bring you to The Clinic for treatment. 
 
 
All the necessary staff has been hired and the facility is in top notch condition. We are ready for a soft opening with our dining and entertainment venues opening first with free meals for the local residents. We will also be taking walk-ins for recreational casting and orthodontics.

Ch. 220 - Donna and Blakely 1
 
By: Donna Santos
 

With my husband Dave away on a hunting trip with our soon-to-be son-in-law Chris, my beautiful daughter Blakely will be spending a week with me. I'm so proud of her and how she has coped with her medical issues. Just imagine being a happy-go-lucky twenty-something, only to find out you need complicated orthodontic treatment along with wearing back, leg, and wrist braces for the rest of your life. It was so hard on poor Blake at first, and I cried when Collene told me about her breakdowns. However, her friends and her casts have comforted her, plus she has Chris back in her life, hopefully forever. Blake often sends me pictures when she and Chris travel, and it always seems she has casts on both legs and is in her wheelchair. I'll never figure out Blake's thing for casts, but if they bring her comfort, it's fine with me.
 
 
however, I do know what it's like to have to wear a spinal brace, but it's different when you are older. It hasn't been too difficult for me, and I got used to my various braces very quickly, but it was so hard for Blake. I never could figure out why she enjoyed wearing Rebekah's old braces but despised the ones she actually needed. Well, that is all in the past, and both Blake and myself are now very used to our situations. I have to admit that having my daughter in a similar situation as the one I'm in really helped me, and I think it helped Blake to see her mom in a back brace, too. Billy's expert craftsmanship and his unique and inventive designs helped, too. Our braces are very confining and supportive, yet extremely comfortable.
 
 
******
 
 
A car is pulling  up out front; it's Blake's old Buick Roadmaster, which she loves so dearly. I go outside to greet her, and as she gets out of the car, there is something different about how she moves. Blake is moving her legs with her hands to get them out of the car. Then she carefully picked up her lower legs and lifted them until her knees were straight, and I could just hear the locks at her knees click. She then leaned her crutches against the door and got out, holding onto her car tightly to lift herself to a standing position. At this point, I was a bit scared; what could be wrong with my beautiful little Blakely now?
 
 
Once Blake was standing, she looked at me and smiled from behind her reverse-pull facemask, which lessened my concern. I walked towards the car as Blake carefully moved so she could close the door. I put my arms out for a hug, and Blake extended hers. Just as I was putting my arms around her, Blake seemed to lose her balance and fell into my arms. We hugged, and as I ran my hand down Blake's back, I could feel that there was something attached to her Milwaukee brace just above the girdle.
 
 
After our embrace, I went to the trunk of Blake's car to get her bags. Not only were there two suitcases, but there was also a brand new, very sleek and stylish-looking candy-apple red manual wheelchair. I'm wearing my low-profile back brace today, so I have to be careful lifting things. You know, the one where the neck ring is only attached in the back, with the anterior upright ending at my kyphosis outriggers. When I picked up Blake's wheelchair, it was surprisingly light, and I noticed TiLite label. I stacked Blake's bags on the seat of her wheelchair, and I followed her to the house, noting how different her gait was. At home, she usually walks with her knees and ankles free and without crutches, but her legs are locked straight, and she really relies on her crutches for support, as Collene, Judy, and Leigh must.

 
Once in the house, Blake set down on the couch, but not like she normally does. Usually, if her knees are locked, she frees them and just sits down normally. However, this time she used the arm of the couch and one crutch for support and sat down with her legs sticking out in front of her. I just watched as she lifted her left leg with one hand and released the knee lock with the other, then gently set her foot on the floor. The process was repeated with her right leg, and then she re positioned both her legs by grasping her KAFOs. I sat down next to her and asked:
 
 
"What's going on with your legs, Blake? Have you had a setback you haven't told me about?" I ask with concern.
 
 
"I'm just fine, mom; don't worry one bit. I'm just having a little fun trying something new, and I really like it. You know all about Leigh and Judy and their BioTronic implants, right?" Blake smiles her metallic smile from behind her red reverse-pull headgear.

 
"Yes, I know about them and how Judy and Leigh live as paraplegics now. Judy's disability is just like that of her sisters, and Leigh is completely paralyzed from her waist down. I know about the external ones that some of the other ladies fool around with, too. Are you using one, Blake?" I think I know what is going on.

 
"I am, mom, and I love it. When Judy visited me in her halo cast, Jimmy was using the device, and they gave it to me. Ever since, I have been using it and living life with my legs paralyzed like Collene. I'm still getting used to it, and some things, like sitting and standing, are still awkward. The only time I'm not paralyzed is when I bathe or switch braces." My daughter explains, still smiling.
 
 
"So are you thinking of getting an implant like Leigh and Judy have?" I inquire with a smile—I only want my little girl to be happy.
 
 
"I am, mother, I am. In fact, I have an appointment at The Clinic with Dr. Myra Johnson on Friday; she invented the device." Blake is very excited.
 
 
Smiling wide to show my acceptance of her desire, I said, "That's good, honey. You do what you need to do for you and Chris to be happy. I love you very much, and I fully support whatever decision you choose to make." Blake's smile gets even wider as I say these words.
 

"Thanks, mom; I knew you would approve. I love you, too." Blake and I hug, and I once again feel the device that I now know is paralyzing my daughter's legs.
 
 
I get up from the couch and offer my hand to Blake. As I helped Blake to her feet, I said, "Let's get you unpacked and settled in, then head to town for lunch. I know you have an orthodontic appointment this afternoon."
 
 
Blake ensures that the locks at her knees are fully engaged, and I take a long look at my daughter. She stands with perfect posture, enforced by her Milwaukee brace. Her metal-clad teeth are now almost perfectly straight, and her headgear frames her face. Blake's long, dirty blond hair cascades down her back, almost to her buttocks, and her tight-fitting blouse and equally tight-fitting and rather short skirt show off her assets. Her legs, encased in brown leather and steel, are so shapely, and her little feet look so cute in the low wedge sandals attached to her KAFOs. My daughter is the personification of beauty, and her braces only enhance her already striking appearance. Chris is one lucky man!
 
 
I follow Blake to her room, pushing her wheelchair with her bags on the seat. Once in her room, I put her bags on her bed and opened them for her. Blake sets the brakes on her wheelchair and uses her crutch to move the footrests out of the way, then positions herself in front of it. Holding onto her wheelchair, she leans her crutches against the bed and unlocks her left knee. Slowly and carefully, she lowers herself into her wheelchair, and once she is seated, her right leg is sticking out in front of her. Supporting her leg with one hand, she releases the lock, lowers her foot to the floor, and says, "I'm still getting used to doing things, mom. There is a lot for me to learn about being paralyzed." Blake laughs as she picks up her legs, and I use one of her crutches to swing the footrests back in place, and she sets her feet down upon them. Blake looks so adorable and happy in her wheelchair; it's like she was meant to be in one.
 
 
As I'm helping Blake get unpacked, I ask her about her orthodontic braces:
 
 
D - So Blake, what's it like to have orthodontic braces?
 
 
B - Oh, I hated them at first, but after I got to know Rita, she made me feel much better about them. At this point, my braces and all my appliances are just a part of me. Chris feels the same about his.
 
 
D - How bad do they hurt? I know braces are very painful at times.
 
 
B - Oh, they don't hurt at all, Mom. Sure, having my WEDD placed—it was screwed into my head—and some parts of my protraction treatment were painful. After I got used to those things, I didn't even really notice them anymore, other than when I ate or brushed my teeth. Of course, Chris and I couldn't kiss while wearing our WEDDs—they were in the way of everything.
 
 
D - So other than your protraction treatment, things have been pretty much painless, Blake?
 
 
B - That's right, mom. I think that getting all those spacers put in so all my bands would fit was actually more uncomfortable than turning my expanders. Why all the questions? Are you thinking of getting braces?
 
 
D - I am, dear. My teeth are not that bad, but they could use a little help. I have to admit that you and all our friends do look so cute wearing them, and braces seem to have a magical effect on men, too.
 
 
B - Oh, they do have a magical effect on a lot of people. Dad seems to always do a double take when he sees anyone with braces.
 

D - I have noticed that about your father, too. It used to really bother me, but now, knowing your friends, I understand his attention is on the braces, not the person wearing them.
 

B - So, get braces, mom! You will look so cute with them, and I know they will drive dad wild; he's weird like Chris. Maybe Dr. Joe will have time to look at your teeth after my adjustment; I'm only getting new archwires today.
 
 
D - I will see what Dr. Joe says if he has time. There is no need to rush into anything, sweetie.
 
 
After Blake got settled in, it was time to head to town. Blake left her crutches behind and rolled out to my pickup. She had an easy time transferring since Dave lowered my truck a bit, and there are also several convenient grab bars to hold onto. Once seated, she freed her knees, positioned her body and legs in the seat, and commented on how comfortable my old truck is. I pushed her wheelchair to the back of the truck, opened the tailgate, and set it in the bed, thankful that her chair is made of lightweight titanium and my truck is lowered a bit. As we drove into town, the topic of orthodontics came up again:
 
 
B - Mom, you'll look adorable with braces. I just know it!
 
 
D - I don't even know if I really need them, Blake. Maybe I just need Invisalign.
 
 
B - Oh, you need braces, mom—real braces, maybe even bands like mine. With all that I have going on in my mouth, I have learned quite a bit about orthodontics.
 
 
D - OK, Miss Smartypants, what do I need? We'll see if Dr. Joe agrees.
 
 
B - You definitely need braces—metal braces—or, better yet, full bands like me. Joe likes to use bands since they don't come loose like brackets, and you can eat almost anything without trouble. Remember before I got bands, how my brackets would come loose?
 
 
D - I do remember all the trouble you had when you had brackets; they kept popping off when you would eat, even though you were careful. So what else will I need, Dr. Santos?
 
 
B - Yea, brackets suck! I love my bands and have no problems with them at all. Let's see, you have a bit of crowding in your upper arch and a bit of an overbite. The crowding is not too bad, and your overbite is from tongue thrusting. Whenever you get upset or frustrated, you push on your front teeth with your tongue. A quad helix with a habit rake should fix those problems, along with headgear for your overbite.
 
 
D - I hope you are wrong, Dr. Santos. You're really filling my mouth up with metal, honey. So what about my bottom teeth?
 
 
B - You also have some crowding there and will need a lower expander like I wear with the little screw behind your bottom front teeth. It doesn't take long to get used to these appliances, and they will give you a cute lisp, too. You'll benefit from bands on at least your bottom teeth since your lower canines are rotated; bands give much better results than brackets do.
 
 
D - Can you think of anything else to try and cram in my mouth, dear? I don't think anything more can fit.
 

B - Yes, mom, there is one last thing. Remember Judy and Leigh telling the story of when they first got braces? You know how their spinal braces messed up their teeth, right? You'll need an orthodontic splint, just like the rest of us who wear back braces do. That will be the most difficult thing to get used to.
 
 
D - That's quite a lot of hardware, Blake. I'm sure all I'll need is Invisalign or clear brackets, not all that other stuff. We'll just see what Dr. Joe says, if he even has the time to take a look at my teeth. So, where shall we have lunch?
 
 
B - I want steak! I know my teeth will be a bit tender after getting new archwires; they always are. Oh, and your teeth will be quite tender from your spacers, too. They are a bit painful and uncomfortable.
 
 
D - Spacers? Blake, we don't even know if I need braces, and if I do, we have no idea what type. You are an experienced horsewoman, and you know not to put the cart before the horse.
 

We pulled up at Harry's Grill for lunch, and I helped Blake get into her wheelchair. We enjoyed our meal and were then on our way to Dr. Joe's office.
 
 
Little did I know of the journey that I would soon be embarking on...
 

Ch. 222 - Donna and Blakely 3
 
By: Donna Santos
 
 
We had a wonderful lunch with Myra, and it was crazy to see all the restaurant staff in their leg braces, and most with orthodontic braces, too. Many of the patrons appeared disabled, like my daughter and Myra, or some could be like Emme, who just pretends; it was impossible to tell. However, I knew that the people in freshly applied casts were just wearing them for fun. They all looked too happy for people who had just broken a bone.
 
 
Seeing all the people wearing orthodontic braces prevented me from forgetting about what I will be having done in a little while; it's almost one o'clock. After we ate, Myra told us how to get to Robbins Orthodontics from inside The Clinic; the facilities are connected internally. We thanked Myra for everything, including our lunch, and Blake and I hugged our new friend. As she rolled away, she looked over her shoulder and said to me, "Have fun with your device and good luck with your braces; you'll look great wearing them, and I'm jealous!"
 
 
As we entered Robbins Orthodontics through the back door, we startled Sally. She was happy to see us and reassured me that I would do fine with my braces and that I would get used to everything fairly rapidly. She led us to a procedure room where all my appliances were laid out on the table. Some of the things were kind of scary-looking, but all my friends and daughter have much larger and more intimidating appliances in their mouths, mostly by choice, and they seem to actually enjoy wearing them. I had a real good idea of what and how things would be done today, as 'Dr. Santos' told me all about it last night. Sally had me sit in the chair, and she reclined it back, then placed a device in my mouth to keep it open and suction away saliva.
 
 
At first, I was extremely nervous and felt quite claustrophobic. Seeing this, Blake wheeled over to me, took my hand, and said, "Don't be scared, mom. You will be just fine, and it won't hurt at all. Remember what I told you about the soft round archwires? They won't move your teeth much, but they will let you get used to everything. Your mouth will feel really full when Dr. Joe is done, but it won't hurt." Blake's words calmed my nerves, and I began to relax as Sally removed my spacers. I must have gotten really used to them since it was uncomfortable to have them out. Once my spacers were out, Sally carefully cleaned and polished my teeth and prepared the surfaces so my bands could be cemented in place.
 
 
Now Dr. Joe entered the room, and he got to work in my mouth right away. With all our friends with braces, I think you all know the process. The fixed appliances with their bands go in first, getting pressed into place with the tool you bite down on. Then the rest of my bands were placed on my teeth, including all my upper front teeth. As Dr. Joe slipped them in place and cured the cement with the special light, I wondered what I looked like wearing them. They sure looked wide, and I know there is not much of the white of Blake's teeth that can be seen; I'll probably look the same. All I know so far is that Blake was right; nothing is painful.
 
 
The last thing to be done in my mouth was for my archwires to be placed. Dr. Joe trial fitted them, and then Sally held up a sample of little rubber bands for me to look at and asked, "I should have asked earlier, but what color do you want? Just point to it." Most of the colors were bright or too dark, so I simply chose the silver ones; they should blend in well with all the metal. In no time at all, my archwires were in place, and I could feel a little bit of pressure on my teeth, but no pain. With all the work inside my mouth done, the suction device was removed from my mouth and the chair raised. Sally told me to get up and go rinse my mouth.
 

It was then that it hit me how full of metal my mouth was! I could feel my bands and archwires against my cheeks and lips. They felt funny and unnatural, but not uncomfortable; nothing was sharp. Then I ran my tongue around inside my mouth. I could feel my lower expander screw behind my bottom front teeth and the heavy wires leading to the bands on my molars. Up top, I could feel my quad helix appliance that was almost touching the roof of my mouth. Between it and the habit rake behind my upper front teeth, there was little room for my tongue. However, these things are much smaller than what Blake and my friends are wearing, but I know that some of my friends have requested the largest and most intrusive appliances available.
 

I rinsed my mouth, looked in the mirror, and slowly smiled. As I did so, my upper lip got caught on the bands on my front teeth; my overbite is now very prominent. I licked my lips to moisten them and tried to smile again, this time exposing all my banded front teeth. It was a shock to see my new smile, which will be with me for many years to come. Dr. Joe estimates I'll be in braces for about four or five years using his gentle but slow methods. However, I soon warmed to my new appearance, and my mouth didn't feel as full as before. I was salivating quite a bit, and I have not yet tried to speak. I know I will have a bad lisp and won't even be able to pronounce some words. I turned to my daughter, who is sitting in her wheelchair in silence, just watching me:
 

"Ow oo I ook Akely? (How do I look, Blakely?)" I manage to slur.
 
 
"Oh, mom, you look great! You have always been a great-looking woman, but with those braces, you are a real hottie!" I can't help but smile at Blake's enthusiasm. "You look a lot younger, too. Just wait until you get your headgear; you'll pass as my older sister instead of my mom!"
 
 
I utter, "Ank oo, Akely. (Thank you, Blakely.)" as I sit back down in the chair to get my splint and headgear fitted. Dr. Joe quickly fits a gleaming silver facebow to the bands on my molars, then attaches a set of black straps. Sally explains that this type of headgear is called combination headgear, which you all probably know about. Dr. Joe instructs me to wear it at least eighteen hours a day, but as close to 24/7 is preferred. I could feel pressure on my teeth, but it wasn't uncomfortable, and there was still no pain.
 
 
Finally, my splint was fitted, and it just snapped in place with the magnets embedded in it and the ones attached to my molar bands. It's just like the one Blake and the other girls wear, and it fits comfortably in my mouth. I tried to speak with it in my mouth, but only grunts and groans came out. I will need a lot of practice speaking while wearing it. Dr. Joe told me to wear it whenever I'm wearing a spinal brace with a throat mold or a chin cup, which means pretty much 24/7. Since I'm in my extremely low-profile brace today, I could remove it and place it in its case. Joe asked if I had any questions, and I had one about my headgear: which holes on the straps should I use? Joe explained it to me; I thanked him, and he was on his way. Sally then gave me some orthodontic care supplies and tools, along with letting me pick out several different colors of headgear straps.
 

I then got up and returned to the mirror to see how I looked with headgear, and I was shocked—shocked in a good way. Blake was right that I would look so much younger with headgear. I really could pass myself off as her older sister. Other than having trouble speaking and my mouth feeling quite full, I was in no pain, and I actually like how I looked with my bands and their accessories—everyone was right when they said I would look great as a brace face. This won't be so bad after all, and boy will Dave be shocked when he gets home; he doesn't know I was even thinking of getting braces.
 

We then said goodbye to Sally, who gave me a card with an appointment in four weeks to get my archwires changed. We hugged, and Sally assured me that I would do just fine and my speech would quickly improve, even with my splint in my mouth. Blake also reassured me that my speech would get better, and I remember how much improvement she had in only a few days when she got her appliances. As we were leaving, Blake said, "Mom, let's do something fun and a bit crazy—something you have never experienced before in your entire life."
 
 
With my strong lisp, I concentrated on my words, smiled wide, and said, "I'm already experiencing something that I've never experienced before, but what do you have in mind, dear?"

 
In an eager and excited tone, Blake replied, "Let's go back to The Clinic and get casts." I love wearing casts and haven't worn any for a long time. I think you would enjoy the experience, too."
 
 
With my mood being more upbeat than I thought it would be after getting braces and also seeing Blake so excited, how could I say no? "You're right, Blake. I have never worn a cast before; it might be a fun thing to try."
 
 
We made our way to the walk-in casting clinic, and there was no wait. We filled out consent forms and waited. Soon the tech, Bob, who used to work for Dr. Moore, came out to get us and said, "Hi Blake. It's good to see you again. How have you been?"
 
 
After Blake introduced me to Bob and told me how they knew each other, we made our way to the cast room. Once there, Bob asked, "So what kind of casts do you ladies desire?"
 
 
"I would like LLCs on both legs and, I think, a pair of SLCs with cast sandals for my mom; all of them glow in the dark white. Oh, I think we'll need to rent a wheelchair, too. Mine doesn't have adjustable leg rests." Blakely replied
 
 
I didn't know what to say or think with Blake ordering up casts as if she were ordering a meal; she was really excited and seemed to know what she was talking about. I have never worn a cast, and now, evidently, I'll be wearing two of them. I was a bit nervous, but excited, and maybe even a bit aroused.
 

The Bob helped Blake transfer from her wheelchair to the table, and he removed her KAFOs and boots. Then she removed her short-alls and laid down, and Bob got to work. I had never seen a cast being applied, and it was quite interesting, but I'm sure you know all the details. Soon, Blake's left leg was encased in white fiberglass, with her ankle at ninety degrees and quite the bend at the knee. The process was repeated on her right leg, and it seemed that her legs being paralyzed made the job a bit more difficult, as half way through Blake's first cast, Bob had to have an assistant come help support her limp leg.
 
 
After Blake was in her two gleaming white casts, Bob brought over a manual wheelchair with adjustable leg rests. It wasn't a clunky wheelchair like you see most people who are injured using, but it wasn't as sporty as Blake's sleek titanium chair; it was something in between. Bob and I helped Blake get her short-alls back on, then he simply picked Blake up, set her in the wheelchair, and adjusted the leg rests for comfort. My little girl looked so happy and peaceful sitting there in her big back brace with its orthodontic attachment and huge white casts on her legs. She turned her wheelchair to face me and said, "OK, mom, time for your casts. You will like them, and you will look super cute wearing them. They'll take your mind off your braces and headgear."
 
 
I got up on the table and laid back, and Bob got to work on my casts. Since my casts will be shorter than Blake's, I didn't have to take my skirt off for Bob to work; it was short enough to be out of his way. He took off my shoes, and then it was the same process as he had done for Blake, except my casts stopped just below my knees. As the fiberglass hardened, it got warm and felt quite good. Then my casts began to cool down, and Bob said they were fully cured as he strapped special sandals to my casts. He then held out his hand and said, "OK, Donna, let me help you stand and take a little walk. You will have no problem getting around in these casts; it just takes a little practice." Bob was right, and in no time I was almost walking normally in my cozy and comfortable casts.
 
 
Blake then looked at me and asked with a smile, "How do you like them, mom? I bet they feel really good, don'' they?" I had to admit that my casts did feel good—a feeling that I really liked. Blake then said, "Use my wheelchair, mom. That will be the easiest way to get it to the car. I sat in Blake's titanium wheelchair and rolled around the room as Bob put Blake's KAFOs and my shoes in a large bag, hanging on the back of Blake's wheelchair. With our casts applied, Blake said, "Let's go to The Asylum and see what's happening there. We can relax and watch TV, then have supper before things get too wild; it'll be fun to show off our casts." We thanked Bob, and he said to come back any time for cast removal or to simply have one of our friends remove them for us.
 
 
We rolled out to the car and put Blake's KAFOs and my shoes in the trunk. Then a thought came to me: Blake had this all planned out in advance. She knew I would be getting casts on both legs, and that is why she insisted that I drive her car here this morning. Blake knew I would need hand controls to drive home with both my legs in casts.
 

She is sure a sneaky little thing, isn't she?

Ch. 224 - Donna and Blakely 5
 
By: Donna Santos
 
 
On the way into town, I noticed that as I talked with my daughter, she would lean forward quite often to look at my feet. Finally, she said, "Mom, the timer should have expired by now, and your legs should be working again. Are they?" I opened the BioTronic app on my phone and handed it to Blake, and when she saw the timer had twenty-three hours left, she said with a metallic grin, "Oh, so you are enjoying this, mom? I thought you would. I think I get my weird desires from you, but from our breakfast conversation, I think I might get some of them from dad, too. They say things like this can be genetic; our brains are wired differently. Anyway, I'm glad you are having fun." Oh, if only Blake knew what last night was like for me. We share a lot of intimate things, but not everything.
 
 
It didn't take too long to get to the new outlet mall on the far side of town. Judy, Collene, and Rebekah helped get the rest of us in wheelchairs off the bus, one by one, on the lift. Seeing Leigh get around so easily in her power chair made me desire one, but I was enjoying using Blake's manual chair. We wheeled and crutched around the mall, stopping in at almost every store but hardly ever buying anything. I get the feeling that Leigh, Rebekah, Judy, and Blake really enjoy people looking at them, even staring, and they love talking about their situations, too. Collene is just indifferent to her situation; she is the only one who is truly handicapped, but the things in her mouth and her headgear are now only for pleasure. I guess she really needs some sort of retainer and splint, but she has chosen to keep her bands forever, a choice I might make when the time comes. In less than a day, I have grown to really like my new braced smile and headgear, which is not a bad thing at all. I thought it would all be much worse, but it's actually a pleasure except for my lisp, and I know it will get better.
 
 
However, I don't know what I think of the attention I am getting from strangers; I don't like being the center of attention. I don't usually wear my big back brace out in public, and even wearing my Milwaukee brace to places other than the grocery store and feed store is rare for me. I usually wear my special brace with the low-profile neck ring that is only attached to the posterior bars on my brace. But today, I'm in my big brace with casts on both legs and my newly braced smile with headgear; at least no one can tell my legs are paralyzed. This experience is both nerve-wracking and extremely exciting. 
 

With the other girls being so outgoing and talkative, Collene and I sort of just stayed in the background. I really like Collene and admire her spirit and how she lives her life with her 'differentability, as she likes to say. We chatted quite a bit, with her commenting that my lisp was already diminishing and my speech was much clearer. I think she is just getting used to how I speak with my appliances; we'll see how well Dave can understand me when he gets home. 
 
 
As Collene and I were trailing the other girls, I saw that Blake was falling behind, wheeling along slower and slower until we caught up with her. Her arms, like mine, were getting tired, and Collene suggested we get a cold drink at the food court. We matched Blake's pace and went to get something to drink. As we relaxed and chatted, Collene suggested that I strike out on my own and visit a wing of the complex that the other girls had not been to yet today. I was hesitant, but Blake talked me into doing it. So far, everything she has talked me into has turned out great, so after I finished my drink, I rolled out all alone.
 
 
Once again, my lovely daughter was right. I have a habit of always smiling, and with my upper lip resting on my facebow and my banded teeth, my smile really caught people's eye. Other than some casual comments about my casts, back brace, and orthodontic work, three encounters really stand out. My first of these encounters was with a mother and her teenage daughter. Both of them had orthodontic braces and headgear; the mother had clear braces and cervical headgear, and the daughter had metal braces and combination headgear like mine. As I rolled by, the girl said, "Look at that lady's pretty braces, mom. You should have gotten shiny ones, too, and she is wearing a brace for her curvy back like the one the doctor says I need to wear." I chatted with them for a little while and told the girl to not be afraid of getting a back brace; she will do fine once she gets used to it.
 
 
I then stopped to take a break from wheeling, and a woman about Collene's age sat on the bench across from me. We started to chat about the beautiful weather, and I noticed her teeth were quite crooked and she had a wicked overbite. I could tell she was really focused on my smile, and she finally said, "I'm thinking of getting my teeth fixed. What's it like to wear braces and headgear at our age?" Looking at the young woman, I said, "Our age?" She replied, "Yes, ladies like us in our thirties." I was shocked. I'm fifty-two years old—old enough to be her mother! I guess my braces really do make me look younger. I told her I just got my braces yesterday, and so far they are great, but my lisp is pretty bad. Then I told her about Blake's orthodontic journey and that many of my friends, from their twenties to their sixties, all have braces and love them. As we parted ways, I gave her Dr. Joe's card, and she said that she would make an appointment.
 
 
My final encounter with strangers was at an art supply store. You know Blake is a wonderful artist, and I'm not bad myself. The selection was great, with many items that I usually mail order since they are not available at any other local store. While I was browsing, I just rolled along in my wheelchair as if it were second nature. I gave no thought to my braces and headgear, casts, and paralyzed legs, as well as my back brace, since I'm so used to wearing it. As I was slowly rolling down an aisle, a group of college girls approached. I smiled and said hi, and they asked about my situation. I was honest and said that I just got braces and headgear yesterday, but that I have worn a back brace for some time. Then one of them asked about my casts, and I said that my daughter talked me into going to The Clinic to get casts with her.
 
 
One of the girls piped up and said, "We're all going to The Clinic next Friday to get casts, then to The Asylum to hang out for the night. None of us have ever worn a cast before, and it looks like fun. We're hoping to hook up with guys who dig girls in casts; we heard they exist." The tall, skinny redhead with dreadlocks said, "I'm thinking of getting braces there, too. I had them from my junior year of high school until last year. I really miss them and want to be a brace face again."
 
 
One girl said, "Is your daughter here with you? I saw a girl with big casts on both legs earlier, and she had a back brace with part of it connected to her orthodontic braces." I said that was my daughter, who has scoliosis and severe orthodontic issues, but she is really enjoying her casts. Then one of the girls said, "Those casts of yours need some artwork on them. Can we decorate your casts for you?" I said sure, and I followed the girls to a studio area in the back of the shop. Once in the back of the store, the girls brought over some stools, and one of them said, "Put your casts up here so we can decorate them." I tried, but my legs didn't move; I had forgotten about my BioTronic device and my paralysis. 
 
 
I shyly and lispfully said, "You will have to help me. My legs are paralyzed; I can't move them." The girls carefully picked up my legs and placed my casts on the stools. Watching them move my paralyzed legs, which I still have feeling in, was extremely exciting and sent shivers down my braced spine. The girls opened up their backpacks, set up their supplies, and got to work on my casts. The cast on my left leg was decorated with geometric patterns, while the one on my right was being done in colorful psychedelic patterns. They even laid down on the floor to decorate the back sides of my casts and re-positioned them so they could get 100% coverage.
 
 
Just as they were finishing decorating my casts, my phone rang. It was Blake asking where I was, and they were all ready to go to the grocery and liquor store to get food and drink for our girls night at Rebekah's. I told my new acquaintances that I had to go, and one of them gently placed my casts back on the footrest of my wheelchair. I thanked the girls for the beautiful artwork and said I would save my casts as a memory of this day. I then rolled out of the shop and headed to the bus.
 
 
On the way, I had to admit to myself once again that Blake was right; I needed to go out on my own and talk with people. It was so much fun—even exciting at times—interacting like this with strangers. If I was rushing about as usual in just my back brace, no one would have noticed me. But with my braces and headgear, casts, wheelchair, and big brace, I got a lot of attention—attention that I am beginning to really enjoy. I think I have been bitten by the same bug as Blake and her friends.
 
 
******
 
 
I awoke late this morning in Leigh's guest suite, in bed next to my daughter. Blake looked so peaceful, still asleep in her Kuehnegger brace. Her mouth was slightly agape, her bands sparkling in the morning sun. As I stretched and flexed my muscles, my legs moved, and I felt my toes curling over the edges of my casts; the timer on my device must have expired, and I am no longer paralyzed. I had been paralyzed for 36 straight hours. Blake then began to stir, and I got out of bed and into my wheelchair. I wish I had brought my cast sandals so I could walk.
 
 
Blake transferred to her wheelchair, and we went to have breakfast with our friends. After breakfast, we cleaned our braces, and then I took a long bath with my casts resting on the edge of the tub; it felt good. Once back in my Kuehnegger brace, Joel took Blake and me home. 
 
 
At home, I changed into my Milwaukee brace, and Blake did the same after a sponge bath. I put on a dress and my cast sandals, then helped Blake pack for her trip home. We both got texts from our guys that stated the same thing: Dave is on his way home after dropping Chris off at home. Blake and I hugged, and I thanked her for encouraging me to push my boundaries and find comfort and pleasure in new things. Soon, Blake was on her way home with her wheelchairs in the trunk of her car. Chris will have to get her wheelchair from the truck when she gets home.
 
 
I then neatened up the house a bit, and I had no issues walking in my beautifully decorated casts. They are really comfortable, and I love how they look and feel on my legs. With the house in order, I sat in my recliner to await Dave's arrival. I wonder what he will think when he sees his wife in two leg casts and lisping with a mouthful of orthodontia and headgear, along with my Milwaukee brace, which he is very used to me wearing.
 
 
It seemed to be taking Dave a long time to get home, and when he walked through the front door, we were both shocked. Dave was clean-shaven and wearing nice clothes, smelling fresh and clean. This is not how he usually returns from a hunting trip; he must have gotten cleaned up at Chris's house. Without saying a word, he watched me carefully remove my headgear. I got up and walked over to him in my casts, and we hugged and kissed, with him exploring every inch of my mouth.
 

After the kiss broke off, Dave finally spoke and said, "Well, it looks like Blake got you to visit The Clinic and you look gorgeous. I never thought you would get fake braces and a couple of casts, but I guess by now you know I love a pretty girl with braces, don't you?" We sat on the couch, and I put my casts in Dave's lap and said, "Well, Blake did talk me into getting casts for fun, but look carefully at my braces. I have full bands, and they can't make fake braces with bands—my braces and headgear are real, and I'll be wearing them for many years to come."
 
 
Dave was shocked that my complicated braces were real and just gazed at my metallic smile before commenting that my lisp is cute and he loves my new look. We kissed again, then I put my facebow in my mouth and attached the complicated straps. As I fastened the straps to my facebow, Dave said that braces and headgear are the sexiest thing a lady can wear, and he loves the fact I chose to get bands on all my teeth; he finds them extremely alluring. As we were talking, Dave was rubbing my toes the entire time. We were both in heaven, and once again, Blake was right about everything.
 
 
Finally, Dave said, "Let's go to town and get lunch; I'm famished. You can tell me about your adventures with Blake over a hamburger. I'm so happy you got braces and you wear them very well. Oh, please wear your casts for a full six weeks; I want them to get dirty and smelly." I laughed, and Dave helped me to my feet, then he walked me slowly to the truck holding my arm, and we headed to town.
 
 
We had a wonderful lunch, then spent the afternoon in the park talking. We shared our feelings and now understand each other much better. That night, Dave and I had the most romantic and erotic evening that we have had in decades. My braces and casts made it all so exciting—it was more exciting than when we were kids.
 

Now to find the right time to share my BioTronic device with Dave. I know he will love it!
 

A very nice chapter to start the new year - thank you very much. 

Ch. 226 - Lungs of Iron - 2
 
By: Joel Jacobson
 
 
With our impromptu gathering in the shop, we chatted for a little while, then got to work on our various parts of our project. Collie and Judy were at their milling machines. I was at a bench next to Collie fitting some parts for the cuirass ventilator blower units while the others were doing various small jobs. None of us were making too much noise, so there were conversations going on among us. Collie and I were simply working and chatting about life when she suddenly asked me, "Did I ever tell you what it was like, Joel?"
 
 
I looked at her and asked, "What was what like, Collie?"
 
 
"Getting sick." Collene replied very matter-of-factly, with Judy now taking interest.
 
 
Now I didn't want to get Billy in hot water with his Collie since he had told me what she had told him on their trip, but I didn't want to lie either. "Well, you never have mentioned it, but Billy said you had a real rough go for a while."
 
 
At this point, all the other conversations in the shop had ceased, and Billy had a bit of a concerned look on his face. Collie, still focused on the tiny part in the vise of her mill, replied, "Oh, he mentioned it. That's good. However, I didn't share everything with him because I wasn't fully informed at the time.
 
 
Now before I continue, let me tell you something about myself. For some reason, people open up to me and tell me about difficult times in their lives. Sometimes it is an event that brings judgment from people, and I am not one to judge a person's actions unless I was present and involved. Most of the time it's a serviceman or police officer telling me a story; I simply listen and don't say much or ask many questions. It's usually when I'm one-on-one with someone, but sometimes it is in front of friends or family. I think one of those times is now.
 
 
"Well, if you want to talk, Collie, I'm here to listen. You know that I'm always there for a friend who needs to chat about something that is weighing on them." I glance over to Collie, who is diligently running her machine.
 
 
"I know, Joel. I was there when Scotty told you how he felt when he found out about Lori's accident—he seemed so relieved after talking to you. When I was sick, I was so young and didn't understand anything. After talking to Billy on our trip, I wanted to put together more of what happened to me. I have my mom's journal and my medical records from the hospital in the U.S., but I only recently got my records from Saudi Arabia and Israel, and then I had to get them translated. Now I fully know what happened to me all those years ago, and I have finally put all the pieces together, Joel."
 
 
Without looking up from my work, I simply said, "I'm here for you, Collie. When the time is right for you, I'm ready to listen."
 
 
"The time is now, Joel—I need to talk now. It all started shortly after my seventh birthday. You know my dad was a geologist for an oil company with interests in Saudi Arabia. We lived in Riyadh in an area of housing owned by the oil company. It was mostly American and British families with everything the families needed, including schools where English was spoken. Mom and Judy had just left to visit my grandparents in the U.S., and I was to travel with my dad to one of the areas where there were issues with production about three hundred miles away in the desert. Once we arrived and got settled in the company dormitory, I remembered how I was treated like a little princess by all the workers who missed their children."
 
 
"I was having fun and managing to keep out of trouble, mainly because I didn't feel too well after a day or so. I got a sore throat, a fever, and lost my appetite. Then, one morning I woke up, and I couldn't move my legs, and I had a horrid headache and high fever—I remember those events quite vividly. The company nurse checked me out and immediately called for a doctor to be flown to our remote location. By the time the doctor arrived, it hurt if anyone or anything touched my legs, and my hands and arms began to tingle. I knew something was wrong with me—bad wrong. I didn't realize it at the time, but when I walked to bed the night before, that would be the last time I would ever walk on my own."
 

"The doctor told my dad that he thought that I might have contracted polio. He had heard of five other children—two Saudis, one British, and two American children—who arrived at the hospital in Riyadh that morning with similar symptoms. The doctor reassured my dad that most kids fully recover, but I had heard the word polio before, and even though I was young, I understood it was a serious diagnosis. I was loaded up in the helicopter, and we were all flown to the hospital in Riyadh. It was there that I would be formally diagnosed, and supportive treatment began."
 
 
I glanced over at Collie, who was still focused on her machine work. It was like she was telling about any other event in her life, not something so serious and life-altering. Collene continued in her calm, collected voice:
 
 
"At the hospital, I was put in an isolation room, a catheter was placed, and I was diapered. It was so scary with all the doctors and nurses speaking Arabic, which I didn't understand well. Judy and I had only been in the country for about six months and were still learning the language—we wouldn't have known any of the medical terms anyway. I was so tired from not only the events of the day but from the illness itself, and I fell asleep."
 
 
"The next morning, when I awoke, I could no longer move my hands or arms. The doctors checked on me, and an attendant tried to feed me breakfast, but I was unable to swallow. At this point, a feeding tube was placed in my nose, and I only had movement of my face and neck—the rest of my body had become paralyzed, and there was intense pain all over my body. Over the next few days, my condition didn't change much, but my fever did go down a bit. Then, after about five days in the hospital, my fever spiked and I started to have trouble breathing. While wide awake, I was intubated, and a machine took over my breathing, leaving me without the ability to speak. The only way I could communicate was by blinking my eyes; I would not speak a word for almost nine months."
 
 
At this point, Collie's voice would crack on occasion as she spoke. When I looked over at her, she was wiping a tear from her cheek with a rag, leaving a streak of grease behind. Paul had his arm around Rebekah, pulling her in close. Billy was sitting next to my wife; she had her arm around him, and his head was resting on her shoulder, with Leigh's shirt dampened by his tears. Jimmy had quietly pulled up a stool next to Judy, whose face was buried in his chest as he held her tight. Collene once again matter-of-factly continues, but now with sadness in her voice:
 
 
"It was decided to transfer me to a hospital in Israel—the best in the Middle East—but arrangements must be made, which would take some time since I was stable and there were diplomatic issues. It was also the first time I saw my mom since I got sick, and all she did when she was around me was cry. No comforting words, no wiping the tears from my cheeks—nothing. She would just sit next to my bed and cry for hours on end. Finally, my dad had to have a doctor take her away and medicate her. Never once was I allowed to see Judy, the person I longed to see and who I hoped would make me feel better."
 
 
"After several days, my condition had improved slightly. My fever had gone down and the pain in my limbs had subsided, but I was still completely paralyzed from the neck down. The doctors also seemed to get my mother's emotions under control, too. She was still loving and did all she could to comfort me, but there was something different about her. We were always very close, like I am now with Leigh, my adoptive mom, but it wasn't like that anymore. Mom seemed very detached, and with time, she would become more and more detached from both Judy and me, and it got worse after our parents split up."
 
 
"Finally, the arrangements were finalized for my transfer to the hospital in Tel Aviv via a special air ambulance where there were some experts on my condition. Staff from the oil company got all the necessary paperwork in order for our travel, and with my condition being serious and uncommon, the governments cut some of the red tape. I was put in an ambulance with the machine that was keeping me alive and driven to the airport, where I was put on a medevac plane with my mom and flown to Israel. It was the last time I would see my dad until I was back in the U.S. and I never got a chance to see Judy."
 
 
"Once in Tel Aviv, the experts looked me over and determined that there was not much that could be done for me—my illness must take its own course. The ventilator would have to keep me alive, along with the tubes that nourished me and drained away my waste. One thing that was decided was to perform a tracheostomy on me so I no longer had to be intubated—something I absolutely hated. The procedure was done, but due to my condition and young age, the type of trach tube that I required would not allow for the use of a speaking valve. I would remain silent for many months, but at least I could now mouth words. It would be several months before I would be able to swallow and be fed solid food again."
 
 
"After several weeks in the hospital in Tel Aviv, my mother was told that it was quite possible that I would remain dependent on a ventilator for the rest of my life and that I would never regain use of my limbs. Arrangements were then made to have me flown to a facility near our home in the U.S. to be cared for—possibly for the rest of my life—since my mom couldn't take care of me alone, mentally or physically. I don't remember too much about the flight, but I do remember the inside of the airplane looking just like a hospital operating room, with a doctor and several nurses looking after me. One thing I vividly remember was the nurses rolling me on my side to look out the window several times. The lights of the cities below when we stopped to refuel several times were beautiful, even to a little girl."
 
 
At this point, I once again glanced around the shop, and everyone was pretty much as they were earlier, but a lot of tears had been shed. No one had said a word, and in the silence as Collie focused on removing the part she just completed on her mill, I could hear weeping. Strangely, Collie just kept at her work, placing another blank in her machine and changing tools. I couldn't believe how she could tell such an emotional story and not only keep it together but also sit there on her stool working away at her machine. Collie is like me and kind of zones out when doing fine work, so maybe her mind is more on her work than her words.
 

As Collie spoke, I kept at the work I was doing; I didn't want to make her uncomfortable by focusing on her. All I wanted was for her words to flow and for her to relate her experience as comfortably as possible. Her calm and matter-of-fact demeanor is something I have seen before when someone relates a traumatic experience—it's like they are disconnected from their own story. Only occasionally was there emotion in her voice and a tear shed, while everyone else in the shop was an emotional mess; I can't believe how strong this woman is.
 

(Collene’s story continues in the next chapter.)

Ch. 228 - Our Wedding 1

By: Blakely Santos-Jones
 

Well, things are getting back to normal around here after a rather exciting, fun, and romantic few weeks. Despite going back to work, I'm still in the casts that Chris put me in for our short but enjoyable honeymoon. Not only did we have a very romantic time, but I also got to talk to a lot of people about my casts and brace. Chris loved listening to me tell strangers my fanciful story, which came directly from a book we had read. We even befriended another cast-loving couple and had a very shocking and interesting conversation with them. We are really enjoying me being casted and braced like this, and I'll tell you more about it in a little while. 
 

******
 

Chris and I are still in a state of disbelief about how our lives have turned out. We were friends in grade school, then became romantic in high school before we drifted apart for a few years. That was when my orthodontic and joint issues reared their ugly heads. I never thought a man would want a broken and braced woman like myself, and I never dreamed that Chris and I would get back together. Luckily I met some people who helped me through that tough time who are now my best friends. Then I crossed paths with Chris again, and, well, the rest is history. Not only does he love me and support me emotionally, but he accepts and even partakes in my peculiar interests that stem from my medical needs. He shares my unique interests, and we are so lucky and happy to be together!
 

******
 

Now let me tell you about my bridal shower, which was more like a girls retreat. With my job promotion to assistant manager at Kings Mountain Retreat, I was able to pull a few strings. I think you know about the clusters of cabins that surround a central communal lodge—well, I reserved one for my friends to stay at for not only my bridal shower but our wedding, too. Pete brought all the ladies up from the valley in a bus, and a few friends I have in Kings City joined us, too. Since so many of the girls are disabled, or live as if they are disabled, we always help each other out. All of us are well adapted to our situations and are quite independent; however, it was nice to have Pete and Chris around if we needed anything.
 

The afternoon that everyone arrived, we just hung out and talked, going to the main lodge for dinner and then turning in rather early. The next day was my bridal shower, which was a lot of fun. It was the usual fun and games, but nothing wild or crazy—no one got drunk or rowdy. The coolest thing was something that Sam came up with. She had printed two cards for each guest, with one saying, "To the bride" and the other, "To the groom." Each girl wrote a single word of advice on each card with Chris and I reading them aloud. Compromise, acceptance, compassion, curiosity, and love were the most common words of advice. It made us all reflect on our relationships with not only our spouses or spouses-to-be but also our daily intercourse with friends and strangers.
 

We also made all the final plans for the wedding and reception. Things will be rather simple, but with some Brazilian traditions mixed in as a nod to my dad's heritage. Our wedding will be on the Friday after Christmas—the ceremony will be short, but the reception will likely go into the next day in the Brazilian tradition. Call us crazy for having a winter wedding, but Chris and I love winter and all the snow. With what we have planned, it will be so beautiful, especially how we plan to leave the chapel and travel to the reception. 
 

As we were having dinner, we discussed our Christmas plans. Only Chris and I had plans, and that was just for our parents to come for the holiday and stay for our wedding. Kathy and Emme, who was blindsimming as she often does, said we should all get together at Kings Mountain for Christmas. Everyone agreed it was an excellent idea, with several of my friends volunteering to prepare food and Leigh organizing her traditional Secret Santa gag gift exchange.
 

******
 

The next day was the fitting of my new orthopedic braces that I'll wear for my wedding. I have braces in many colors, but none in white and none low in profile. Talking to Collene and Billy after I got engaged, I explained to them that I wanted to be rather discreet about my bracing for my wedding. Even though I have accepted and even enjoy the devices I must wear, I want to keep things discreet for the ceremony and reception—I just want to feel and look 'normal' on my big day for some reason. I really can't explain these feelings since I have grown to love wearing my braces, but it's just how I feel. They understood, and Billy had some great ideas that not only would support my weak joints and spine but also be invisible under my gown while being comfortable to wear. 
 

Collene had brought my new braces, which I had yet to see in person. I had only seen pictures of my new KAFOs with the boots I had sent to be modified to fit them. We're having an old west-themed wedding, so I had picked out a pair of Victorian-era style white boots with sculpted heels and many eyelets up the shafts. They look really cute and were quite comfortable when I tried them on. Billy had attached them to a pair of KAFOs made with thermoplastic cuffs lined with soft leather. The straps and pads are also leather, with everything—the leather, plastic, buckles, and metal—finished in a matte white. Collene and the girls helped me out of the braces I was wearing and into my new ones. With a few adjustments, Collene had them fitting perfectly. They are very comfortable and look great without any excess bulk. With my long gown, they won't be seen at all but will be there to support my fragile body.
 

Along with my KAFOs and boots, Collene also brought my low-profile spinal brace that's kind of like the ones my mom and Leigh wear. It's a Lyon brace with a neck ring that is attached to a posterior vertical superstructure. Unlike the ones my mom and Leigh wear—theirs are made of stiff, hard leather—mine is white thermoplastic and lined with soft leather like my KAFOs. It's extremely low profile and form fitting and oh so light; it almost feels like I'm not wearing a brace at all except for how it rigidly supports my spine and reminds me to hold my head high. I'm so used to my big, bulky braces, which I really like, that I felt naked wearing this one. It's exactly what I wanted for my wedding, and I'll be able to completely hide it, too.

 
As I was carefully taking off my new braces, Collene said, "I have something for you, Blake. I know you probably won't wear them at your wedding, but you might like them for other occasions when you're wearing your beautiful white braces."
 

"Oh, what's that, Colleen?" I asked.
 

With a big metallic smile Colleen replied, "These!" and she handed me a pair of hand-tooled white leather thumb spicas that matched my other braces. "It's sort of a tradition for me to make a pair of these for my brace-loving friends on their big day. They will go great with springtime outfits with your new braces when your wrists are acting up."
 

I put them on, and the fit was perfect, just like my other braces, and I said, "Oh, Collene, these are so cute! I'll look great wearing all these braces for our Easter celebration at the retreat. Thanks so much for everything. You and Billy are the greatest!" And with that, I gave Collene a big hug.
 

******
 

The next day I wore my new braces, being very careful not to scuff my cute little white boots. Pete and Chris got all of us crippled girls loaded up on the bus, and we went to town for my final gown fitting. It's a rather simple and plain yet very beautiful dress with a bit of lace trim—understated but elegant. My gown fit perfectly over my braces and just lets my cute boots peek out when I walk, with none of my braces showing as long as I'm wearing my bonnet. When the wide ribbon is tied at my chin, it completely hides the neck ring of my brace. Other than my perfect posture and unique gait from the restricted range of motion of my knees and ankles, the fact I'm so heavily braced is not at all obvious. Of course, when I smile, that's another story, but for some reason, I don't mind my sparkling bands being visible—I find them quite an attractive addition to my smile.
 

******
 

In our free time we played games and did craft projects, including making me a wedding scrapbook. On the television we binge-watched 'The Adventures of B.J. Greene.' It's about a rather awkward and nerdy high school girl navigating her way through life wearing orthodontic braces and headgear, along with a Milwaukee brace.
 

Kathy and Lydia had brought a bunch of books they purchased online written by a 'Miss Naughtia.' The stories were all of an erotic nature, and all were about medical fantasies. We read the books aloud, passing them around with each of us taking a turn reading a chapter. We could all relate to the stories, and one gave me an interesting idea for our honeymoon. I'll have to leave that book where Chris will see it and have a read.
 

******
 

We had a great few days together, but there was one thing that made me a bit sad when I had a video chat with Rita. After touring the South in their bus, she and Gary flew to Europe to spend six months touring the continent—they won't be getting back until spring. I was really hoping that they could be at my wedding since Rita brought me so much emotional comfort when I was first dealing with my orthodontic, then orthopedic issues. Chris and I wanted both of them to be part of our wedding, but unfortunately that won't be happening.
 

******
 

Well, the day before Christmas Eve, everyone arrived at Kings Mountain Retreat and got settled in. Luckily, there was a break in the weather, so travel wasn't a problem for anyone. Christmas Eve was spent just relaxing and hanging out with several of the girls and guys busy in the kitchen of our private lodge preparing for our Christmas feast the next evening. Our plan is to celebrate Christmas on Wednesday, and then Chris and I will get married on Friday with the reception going all night and into the next day.
 

On Christmas Day, we enjoyed a late breakfast, but not quite brunch, down at the main lodge. Upon returning to our private lodge, we had our Secret Santa gift exchange. The rules were as in previous years: the gift must cost under five bucks or be something you have lying around the house and must be humorous. Many of the gifts were things that had been passed around as gifts for years; however, someone always managed to embarrass Joel with something new. Once again, he received a well-worn, dirty, and smelly cast. This time it was an orange long leg cast that was super dirty all over, especially around the foot, and boy did it stink. I'm pretty sure it was one that Sam had worn a few months ago when she and Millie took a long road trip around Nevada and Arizona in the late summer heat. Joel was super embarrassed, turning bright red as he got up and threw the cast outside. Paul joked that Joel will retrieve it later for his collection.

 
After our rather amusing gift exchange, many of us got busy in the kitchen preparing our Christmas feast. Millie, Kathy, Bekah, and I were in charge of baking with blind Emme telling us what to do. Lydia made her famous Cajun turkey, Joel roast beef, and Pete a ham. With so many of us, we can make a lot of food and enjoy many different items. Just when it was getting near time to eat, we heard the sound of a diesel engine and air brakes outside. With the snow today, we had several of the guys that Chris works with at the highway department stop in for coffee and snacks, but this didn't sound like one of their plow trucks.
 

Upon Collene's and my opening the front door, we saw Rita and Gary's coach parked with Gary lowering Rita in her wheelchair to the ground with the lift. He pushed her up the ramp onto the porch, and without saying a word, Collene and I hugged her, both of us falling against her and her wheelchair, pushing Gary back. We hugged and cried for quite a while—we had not seen each other for almost a year.

 
"I didn't want to promise you anything with all the travel arrangements and the weather, but we made it!" Rita said with her braced smile, now confined to her wheelchair, her atrophied legs devoid of braces since 'letting go of her legs' as Judy and Leigh did years ago. However, she was still in her Milwaukee brace and reverse-pull headgear.
 

"Oh, Rita, this is the most wonderful Christmas gift I have ever received. I'm so happy you are here and can be with me on my special day with Chris." I could hardly speak; I was so emotional.
 

Collene then hugged Gary and said, "It's great to see both of you, and wait until you see the new shop; Billy and I are so proud, and it's all because you had faith in us!"
 

Gary rolled Rita inside, where everyone happily greeted them. All of those who wear braces so they can live life as they felt they were meant to have Rita and Gary to thank. For those like me, Lori, and Collene who really need braces or prosthetics, Gary and Rita made them as comfortable and stylish as possible. Rita will always hold a special place in my heart for taking me under her wing that day I first ventured out wearing my orthodontic braces and reverse-pull headgear. She gave Chris and me the happy life we're living now.
 

Since dinner was ready and Gary and Rita had been on the road for the last ten hours, we sat down to eat. After dessert, we all turned in early, but the next day, Gary and Rita shared the stories of their travels in America and Europe. Then our thoughts turned to Chris and me getting married the next day. We had a great evening, and we were so glad to all be together like a big extended family.