Important to me

Recovery

You're doing an amazing job Megan just take your time I know this is difficult" It was a couple of weeks later and Megan was undergoing a brutal exercise at her physiotherapy session which was draining her. "You can stop if it's getting too much" insisted Gillian. "No I'm fine" said a determined Megan she slowly moved her legs and tried to stand up and then it happened. She took her first few steps unaided. It was the first time in months she'd walked since the accident. She was struggling and was tired instantly but it was still a milestone. It was too much for Gillian as she got emotional even the physiotherapist looked emotional. "Does it hurt"? She asked."Yeah" admitted Megan "it's like pressure I can feel my back it's like trying to resist the movement after about three steps it felt like my body had given in." "It's natural" insisted the physiotherapist "all part of the recovery it will feel terrible your whole body is being tested to the limit when it's trying to recover but the fact you've done it is showing just how much progress your making.""So the signs are there then"? Insisted Gillian "is it positive news"? "She will definitely walk again" smiled the physiotherapist "you cannot overdo it it's a long way off yet but wow today is a milestone" An emotional Gillian hadn't stopped crying as soon as she was alone she let it all out. "You alright mum"? Asked a concerned Cody."Yeah" smiled Gillian "and you Mrs we are turning over a new leaf we all are you're Maths result on that assessment was incredible.""We're family" smiled Cody "live together, fight together, see it all through together and that's what is sometimes forgotten, life changes but one thing that never should is your family" the months went by and suddenly the family's fortunes changed. Around three months later Megan was starting to use crutches instead of her wheelchair. She was a long way off from the end of her treatment but the positive signs were there. She was never going back on a football pitch though. There was nothing that stopped her but doctors had warned if she repeated the injury again the consequences could be brutal. Both girls had had massive turnarounds and had performed incredibly well in Year 10. Cody's nightmare looked as if it was over, she had won the respect of her teachers and friends again and also her family and was on track to do well. Sam's first year of Secondary school was a major success he'd proved everybody wrong not only surviving his first year, but also winning a number of achievement awards and he had met all of his target grades. Max meanwhile was preparing to return to Oxford. His sister was on the mend so now was the time. "I suppose everything will be alright, it can't be too intense as Megan is still not great on her feet but I think everybody deserves the break" It was the start of the summer holidays and Gillian had suggested the family go on holiday. Max still had a few weeks left before he departed so it would also be a good send off for him. "We've still got the wheelchair so if Megan is struggling she could get in it" insisted Max."I'd be over the moon if we got away" smiled Megan "don't worry about me." "I worry about you all the time" smiled Gillian. "Blackpool's nice" smiled Cody."Don't get me started last time we went there" laughed Gillian "this one dragging me round the shops looking for a book in Waterstones." "You never forget mum" laughed Max. "And here's the superstar look at her"!!!! It was midway through the day and the family had gone to see Ben who was emotional when he seen Megan on her crutches. "You're going on your holidays aren't you"? Smiled Grace."Looks like it"? Smiled Megan "no beach football though"! "You won't miss it" insisted Ben "they're all a bunch of overpaid idiots anyway luv you're better keeping away." "Well Cody said that months back" said Megan "I should have listened to her and not gone to Scotland." "Cody says a lot of things" laughed Ben. "Is that supposed to be funny"? Said Cody suddenly getting defensive. "No I wasn't"... "Cody that's not what I meant" Cody stormed off. "Excuse her" insisted Max "she's had a complete turnaround but she's very on edge she's embarrassed so she thinks the worst of people." "I didn't mean to upset you luv I'm not bothered about that it's all in the past we all make mistakes" It was about half an hour later and Ben was trying to sort things out with Cody. "I know dad but I'm just really insecure" admitted Cody "we've moved on but I'm so ashamed of what I did.""Well if I was you I'd think final year of school on track to get really good grades you've plenty to be proud of than you have to be ashamed of" said Ben. "I know" said Cody "but I was bang out of order there's something else bothering me." "Go on luv its fine" said Ben. "I'm really going to miss Max" admitted Cody "when he went last time everything was normal but when he came back he sorted everything out he's been the comfort of everything he's helped mum he's helped us just him being around has made the difference.""It's his time now though" said Ben "he didn't have to stay last time but he did but you are putting yourself down luv you are capable of so much without Max.""I am so proud of you, you don't know how proud I am of you". It was a couple of weeks later and the family were about to say goodbye to Max as they prepared to leave Oxford without him. "You're an absolute hero and an inspiration" said an emotional Megan hugging him. Max sort of smiled and laughed at the same time. "What"? Asked a confused Megan."When did you get so nice"? Joked Max. "Oi I'm the nicest around here"! Laughed Megan."I doubt that" laughed Max."We will never forget this year" said Gillian "but it's over now next year is a new chapter, a new chapter for us all."