Emily would not accept what the doctors were trying to tell her, she would walk and dance again. They wanted her to believe the accident had severed her spinal cord, and she would spend the rest of her life in a wheel chair. How could she accept that, and move on when her life was dancing? She had shut everyone out when they tried to tell her she was paralyzed, and she would keep them out until she proved them all wrong. She heard her parents talking to the doctor about getting her in physical therapy, to learn to live independently, but they didn’t know just how independent she could be yet, but they would learn, she’s show them. When Emily heard the door open a few minutes later, she turned to look out the window, refusing to even look at her Mom and Dad. “We’re going home for a little while, will you be ok here by yourself, or do you want someone to stay?” She heard her Dad speak, but only motioned them to go. “Okay, maybe it will do all of us some good to have some time apart.” Her mom said uncertainly. Slowly they turned to go, waiting for Emily to change her mind and ask them to stay. In a few minutes she heard the door open and close again. Once they were gone, Emily let the long pent up tears fall. Why did this have to happen now? When she was just starting her career.

The next morning’s test did not bring good news. Her once active muscles were weakening at an alarming rate.  Her already slim chances of walking again were fading fast. After much pleading, Emily convinced them to let her start physical therapy, to relearn to walk. Her first session was scheduled for early the next morning.