They talked for a few more minutes, then took a break. When they came back, Karen said, “We have four more people we want to introduce. Two years ago Patti and Diane got a phone call from a woman after a show. The three of them went to grade school together. Over time they got back together. I want to bring out Julie Higgens, her husband Carl, son Carl Jr. and daughter Janice.”

The four came out and were seated. Karen met them when they came in for the show and compared their appearance to the one that she remembered from the first night. Carl was clean shaven and very polite. So was Carl Jr. That night Julie and Janice seemed tired, haggard and worn out and they limped badly on their cosmetic prosthesis. Today they were on Canadian crutches. Both had a plain pylon clipped to the one crutch, something Carol had suggested to them and helped them get set up. Both were in frilly blouses and knee length skirts and both were wearing a two inch heel. They might not be described as super hot but they certainly would be called very warm.

When they were seated Carl looked at Diane.

“Before anyone asks a question or we go off somewhere else I have something I need to do if I may.”

Patti nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”

“I want say thanks to Diane and Carol for a night of climbing steps and a bunch of other things for my family. I want to thank Patti for having us out to dinner that night. I want to thank the people at AA for their help. I want to thank the guys I work with for their support. Let me tell you, I expected them to make fun of me. They didn’t and they have been there at times to help. I can tell you that I have had twenty five months of total sobriety. My family has benefited from having a sober husband and father. I am far from perfect but I am starting the right way. At work I have gotten a promotion in the last three months that the boss told me would not have happened if I had not gotten the alcohol under control. On top of everything else it made a big jump in our income. We are able to not borrow any more for Carl Jr. to go to college. He will be getting out about the time Janice starts and we may only have his initial loans. Life is not perfect. But it is better. Thank you all.”

The normally solid Patti was holding Julie’s hand and crying. Karen was able to choke back the tears, take his hand and say, “Mr. Higgens. I think we will all accept the thanks but there is one thing that we have to say back. You took the initiative to make it happen.”

“And I didn’t until someone got my attention. Carol and Diane, that night on the stairs was awesome. For anyone who doesn’t know, they kicked my butt badly. They had Carl Jr. and me put on a brace that kept my knee stiff and Diane put on one too. We were all climbing with one leg. Those two girls beat me.”

Carl Jr. broke in. “Mrs. Feldman, if Mrs. Dart was here I would be apologizing to her too. Dad only told part of the story. I was nasty to them both. And they beat me too. It was bad enough they beat dad, he is older, but they beat me. I was really angry. In case someone doesn’t know, I was drinking too. I saw in Denise myself and I didn’t like it. I went along with dad to AA. It was hard standing there telling my dad I was drinking behind his back but I made it. I have been sober just as long. I want to have one competition with dad. I want to stay sober as long as he does. You know, I really look up to him. He is a pretty great guy.”

Karen looked at them. “I think he was a pretty great guy before, it sounds like he is improving.”

“He didn’t tell you that he started taking community college classes, that helped him get the job. He gets mostly A’s and a few B’s. It is really hard trying to keep up. I know it is not to be a competition, but can I goof off when he is working that hard?”

Diane spoke for the first time. “If you want to go along some night with me I can get you a speaking spot.” Both of the men started to protest. Diane shook her head. “Do you two realize that you have overcome something difficult and you are a good role model. Would you want to steal that from some high school kid that needs someone to tell him to get with it?”

Both of them dropped their heads. Carl nodded. “I was going to say that I didn’t think we would be a help to anyone and I am not sure if we would. But the real reason I didn’t want to was I am afraid. Denise said it, I need to stop lying to myself. I am not sure I am the right guy for it but if you call and I can be there, I will at least try.”

Diane looked at Carl Jr. “You?”

He looked up and smiled. “Do you think I would let my dad out there alone?”

“No. I am sure you are made of better stuff than that.”

Carl Jr. continued. “I was pretty awful to Mrs. Dart. I want her to know that when I get the chance she will get a formal face to face apology. She is one smart person. I was going to say lady but that isn’t true. She is one smart person.”

“I am sure that you saying it is enough.”

“I need to tell her. And worse, I was terrible to my sister and mom. I treated them like they were damaged and I was just awful when I could have helped them. I say here, “Mom, Janice, I am sorry.” Since that night I have read a lot about amputation, paralysis, things like that. Diane, I also spent some time studying the impact of the loss of an eye. I never had any idea these were that devastating. I decided to try to help. I will graduate a semester late with a double major. I was going to do sports medicine. I will have a major in Psychology and in Physical Therapy. I want to work with people who need help. Maybe I will be good enough to make a difference. I want to know how to help them physically and as important, know how to help them deal with the psychological impacts. I know they may need people with masters and doctorates of psychology and doctors of medicine to help them but I want to be the one to be able to help the two disciplines converge on them. I hope that makes sense.”

Diane looked up. “If the people who fitted my first eye had any idea the impact, I would have been better off. And it sounds like you are really starting your education on your own.”

“I think unless I know everything I can learn I will short change someone.”

Karen inserted, “I doubt you will short change anyone. You may not be able to do it but you will give them the best you can. Nobody can do more. I had some people work with me with my arm who were great and they were because they knew some of both. I think you are going in the right direction.”

“Thanks. That means a lot. And for anyone who thinks Karen should get a hand that looks like a hand, stow it. She is better off with the hook. How do I know that? Because she says she is. None of the rest of us mean anything on that. If my mom and Janice had a been given a proper choice of prosthesis they would be better off.”

Karen choked out, “Thank you. You have no idea how hard that was to press. I have a cosmetic in the closet. It gets taken out to use about once a year. I have to get it out a couple days before to make sure it is working properly. I use it, I need it at times. But it is not the answer for daily wear.”

“And Diane, if that eye prosthesis is a problem, wear the patch. Do what is best for you.”

“I am. But like she said, thank you. I have a feeling your opinion on this is worth something. One thing I will say to you, always put your professional opinion out there. If you think the person would be better served with something, make sure you throw out that option. Often the patient isn’t aware of all options. You could short change them by not telling them. “

“Thanks. I will try to remember that. Coming from you, it means a lot.”

Karen inserted, “I also want to say thanks and second what she said. Give your best professional judgment.”

“I also want to tell you what I am planning for this fall. I talked to one of my professors about it. He thinks it not only is a great idea for me, it is for others. He wants to work with me, see how it works and then if it works out and shows benefit he wants to make it open for others to try. I will spend several weeks in a couple of let’s call it, situations. We have planned that I will have several casts over time, a long leg, full arm, one for my leg that will mimic a peg leg, for that I will have to wear a two inch heel on the other foot, a pair of locking leg braces that I will have to use a wheelchair, and an eye patch. I will be able to take the eye patch off to drive so we don’t create a risk. I know that isn’t realistic but we don’t see any better way. If any of you have any ideas let me know.”

Karen spoke up, “I wonder if there is a way to put a hook on the end of your hand so you can work it?”

“I don’t know but I will ask.”

Patti broke in. “We have to do a break here. More when we come back.”

When the camera went off Heather called on the PA. “The office staff is taking calls, all the lines are busy. I have never seen the positive feedback like this.”

“What does that mean?” Carl asked.

Patti smiled, “They like us, they like what we are doing.”

“Oh. I thought something was wrong.”

Karen laughed, “If this is wrong, let us make some more mistakes.”

Heather came on again. “Do we have phone numbers for AA, AlAnon? People are asking for them.”

Patti answered, “There are numbers on my desk on a piece of paper Carol gave us. I still have it pinned up in front of me. Look there. If you have someone free, ask them to call the two organizations and ask if we can put up the numbers. If they say so, do it during the rest of the program. Let’s do as much good as we can. It may cut your number of calls. Let’s try to help as many people as possible.”

Karen: Chapter One – The Attack

Karen Chapter 40 – Two Years Later Diane

Karen Chapter 42 – Two Years Later Julie and Janice