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Part
46
Brice lay back in the bed and thought about how he could get out. He hated the feeling of helplessness that being sick always brought. What kind of job could he do now? His career as a firefighter/paramedic was over, you had to be able to hear to do the job and he couldn't. Oh sure, the doctors were telling him that the deafness MIGHT be temporary, but Brice couldn't take that chance. He would simply have to live with being deficient.
Brice lay back in his bed and closed his eyes, trying to sleep, trying to forget the image of the young woman in the hallway. She was deaf, and all she did was clean up after other people. Was that the kind of life he would have now? Brice wasn't sure that he wanted a life if that was all he was good for now. He was startled out of his reverie by a hand shaking his shoulder.
He looked up into the face of a middle aged woman with her graying hair pulled back into a severe bun. She held up a small index card with the words, Get up now printed on it.
"No," Craig answered. "Just leave me alone." He tried to turn over but her hand clamped more firmly on his shoulder. She turned the card over.
I said get up Now! the card read. Brice looked into the woman's determined face and sighed.
"Why?"
She pulled a second card from her pocket. Time for your therapy session. My name is Mrs. Abbott. She let go of Brice's shoulder and held out her hand to help him sit up. He did and swung his legs over the side of the bed, looking for the wheelchair as he did. There was no chair there. Mrs. Abbott saw his confused look and smiled as she turned the card over and handed it to him.
I was told you are a stubborn man. Let's see just how stubborn you are. We are going to walk to the door and back."
Brice handed back the card. "I can't hardly stand up on my own, much less walk right now. I will not make a fool out of myself by trying." He started to lay back down on the bed, only to be stopped by Mrs. Abbott. She pulled out a small pad and pencil. I said it was time to exercise. Now get up and get it done.
Brice snarled at her. "I can't! Now just leave me the hell alone!"
Mrs. Abbott's smile turned into a fierce scowl as she wrote on the pad. You will not address me in that tone of voice. Just because you're feeling sorry for yourself does not give you the right to yell at me. Now get your lazy butt up out of this bed this instant or I'll do it for you! She shoved the pad at Brice and watched as he read it. She didn't show any surprise when he threw the pad to the floor. She simply picked it up again and wrote, Have it your way. After letting him read the simple message, she stood in front of him and, grabbing him around the waist, pulled him to his feet, leaning most of his weight on her.
Brice grabbed for her shoulders to support himself, automatically shifting his feet to take his weight. The dirty look he turned on the nurse didn't seem to faze her at all. She nodded at him, then took a step back, forcing him to follow her. Slowly and carefully, Mrs. Abbott pulled the unwilling paramedic to the door and back to the bed. As she helped him to sit down, he gave a lopsided grin.
"I'm sorry for losing my temper. Thank you."
Mrs. Abbott returned the smile as she once again took out the note pad. That's quite all right. Since I grew up deaf, I have had to educate a few hearing people not to take me for granted. I read lips quite well and I understand how hard it is to adjust to losing your hearing. I will not tolerate anyone giving up on themselves for such a small reason. I'll introduce you to one of our housekeeping staff. She is deaf as well and helps me give classes in sign language and lip reading. Let me know if you are interested. She gave the pad to Brice, watching his facial features change from frustrated to amazed. Her smile was warm and bright when he gave back the pad.
She wrote some more on it. Now if you're done feeling sorry for yourself, we still have ten minutes for a rubdown. Your muscles will need to get loosened back up for more therapy. I understand that you will be with us for a while so I will see you once a day. She gave the pad to Brice, letting him read it before helping to swing his legs back up into the bed. Brice lay on his stomach, thinking new thoughts about his future.
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