Don't Call Me Disabled

Ch.1 The Accident

   A few months ago, my mother, my sister and I were on our way out to eat. In a span of 30 seconds, my life changed forever.

We were caught in a head on collision with a pick up truck.

My mom and sister were fine, and I got all of the damage. Both of my legs were crushed, and the doctors were forced to amputate my legs. I was in a coma for 5 days after the surgery. When I woke up, I swore up and down that they were still there. That I could feel them.

The doctor had told me that they had indeed chopped off my legs, and that it wasn't an unvommon occurrence for people to feel like they still feel them.

So, now my legs cut off at the knees. I've been in a wheelchair since July. Now, with school coming up in a few weeks, I'm not sure if I want to go back to my school. Not many people actually know what happened to me yet.

Not even the school. What would they say? I should go to a disability school? No way! I hate being defined by my non-existent legs. I just want to go to a regular school, with all of my old friends.

I hate change. Especially big ones.

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I could have spent all day arguing with my mom about switching schools, but I'm just happy that she has agreed to let me finish school at the same school as before.

I smiled, and laughed when she finally caved in, which she always does eventually. With only two weeks until school starts back up, I have to go to an orientation. Pretty much the same one I went through when I started high school.

I go to bed after setting up the orientation for tomorrow, and all I can think about is my friends. Will they still stick with me, or will they desert me?

I can't help but fall asleep on that thought.

Who will I be now?

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I know that the orientation is at one o'clock, so I wake up at ten, which gives me some time to take a bath, and eat breakfast before mom has to bring me to the school.

Getting in and out if the bath is a chore in itself, but over the past couple of months, I've learned how to do it myself pretty well. I finish my bath, and make my way to my closet.  I do my best to get dressed, but end up having to call my mom tobhelp me. She helps me with the tied off capris that she sewed for me. Most of my pants, not including my shorts, were like that now.

I eat a bowl of cereal and a banana before mom is wheeling me out to the car. I shudder as she buckles me in, even though I insist I can do it myself. I'm still very weary around cars. Sometimes, they give me scary little flash backs of the accident.

We drive in comfirtable silence until we reach the school. I van tell that my mom is just as nervous as I am. Mom pulls me out of the car, and I decide to wheel myself inside. I need to be able to anyway if I'm going to go here.

 I see  Principal Demetri waiting for me with a kind smile on his face. I make my way up to him and smile back .

"I'm so glad you have decided to stay with us, Jordan." He said, shaking my hand. I finally notice that he doesn't have that stupid look in his eyes, like I'd seen so many times before. The look I get when people feel bad for me.

Pity.

He doesn't look at me with pity, but with admiration. Like he's proud of me for making it, and pushing myself forward, even through these circumstances.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." I said honestly. He just smiled even wider.

As he took us through the options, he said that it was my choice on whether or not i take gym. I decided not to because i was still technically healing from the accident. He brought us to a room I had never even known about.

"This is your room."He said."You can eat lunch in here, do homework in here, you could even take a nap in here during your classes if you ever feel tired, or sick."

I looked around at the mock teacher's lounge. There was a couch, a couple chairs, an open kitchen space with lowered counters! There was even a fully stocked fridge. All wheelchair accessible!

I was so in awe, I was speechless. I could come in here anytime I want, and I wouldn't get in trouble.

"Of course," he said,"you won't be the only one using this room. We have a few  other physically challenged  students who attend this school as well."

That was fine! I already knew that I wouldn't be the only wheelchair kid anyway.

I was still looking around in awe when I broke out of my trance to find Mr. Demetri was talking to me.

"So what do you say, Jordan, are you ready for the new year?"

I nodded, and couldn't help but smile hugely.

Maybe this year wouldn't be so bad.