Life on Wheels

Chapter 5: The Recuperation Stage

Chapter 5: The Recuperation Stage

It has been a little over a week since I was placed with a dog, and I am feeling a little more comfortable doing things for myself. The therapists have organized the first out-out-rehab therapy session to help us re-establish ourselves back into society. The only catch? They aren’t telling us where we are going. Samara and I line up to receive our blindfolds before boarding the van. Our therapists say that we need to just put ourselves out there, but they have made it very clear that if at any point during the day we feel uncomfortable to let them know. I roll onto the back of the van with Samara close behind. We are with 4 other patients, all 6 of us are in wheelchairs. The therapists suggested that we stay in pairs, so Samara and I, naturally, will stick together. My blindfold falls off minutes into the drive, so I just close my eyes as to not spoil the surprise for myself or anyone else.

20 minutes later, the van screeches to a halt at the front door to the mall. I take a deep breath. We can’t go anywhere until the assistance dogs arrive, but we don’t have to wait very long. I am immediately paired with a black lab named Otis. Samara gets paired with a yellow lab named Daisy. The trainers ensure the dogs are attached to our wheelchairs before sending us inside. I roll towards the doors cautiously. People are coming and going all around us. I feel like every move I make is being watched. It’s very overwhelming. Everyone has been given $500 through the rehab program to spend in whatever stores we want. I finally muster up enough courage and hit the automatic door opener. Several others follow me inside. The first store I spot is one of my favourites; Forest. They make summer clothing with bamboo products which make them really light. I reach for a mint green crop top shirt. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. As I reach, my right wheel rolls forward, spinning the rack. I end up buried under a mountain of green shirts. Thankfully Otis gives a short bark and one of the therapists comes running. The shirts make their way back onto the rack, all except one. Despite the ordeal, I can’t resist trying one on. I fold a shirt neatly on my lap and navigate the tight corners, Otis following me closely behind.

I roll up to the desk. I am nervous. What is the woman going to say? How should I say it? I wait for her to finish with another customer before proceeding forward.

“May I please try this on?” I ask.

The older woman scowls and sighs. “Sorry kid, we ain’t got no rooms big enough for that old thing. Get that dog out of here, too, you know there’s no damn animals allowed in here! It’s a mall, not a humane society!” She says, noticing the other dogs outside the store.

I don’t know what to say, so I throw the shirt on the counter forcefully and turn around to leave.

I meet up with one of the trainers, Francine, to explain the situation.

“First I knocked the rack over. Then when I asked for a room the woman said they don’t have any rooms big enough for this old thing. Then she said that dogs aren’t allowed in the mall. It's not a humane society, she said.” I explain, trying not to cry.

          “Melissa I’m sorry that happened to you. I’ll go talk to her. Hang on to this,” she says, handing me a recording device.

She tells me that she will turn her microphone on so that I can hear the conversation. I smile. The trainer heads inside.

“Excuse me ma’am, I’m with Crown City Rehab, and a patient just came in here. I’d like to talk about what happened,” I hear Francine say.

Slightly quieter, the woman’s voice can be heard.

“Well the rule is no animals. And the girl asked very rudely for space to try some ugly shirt on.” The woman explains.

I gasp.