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...