DAY 7

After breakfast they were taken to PT.  Amy was in the room.  She had on her wrap-around skirt and a leg that looked like a real leg.  She seemed to move around with ease.  They made measurements of Judi and Jaci’s legs and took several photos of each.  Mitzi was transferred from the wheelchair to a table.  They asked how tall she was then computed her leg length.  They asked if she had a picture of herself in a bathing suit or if she had a sister that was nearly the same build.  For the first time in days she smiled, “I have a lot of pictures of my legs and my sister Tracy claims to have nicer legs than mine but I know better.”  Suddenly she burst into tears, “My legs never were quite as nice as Tracy’s, but at least they were nice.  Now I have nothing but two stumps with metal poles.  I envied her legs but I’d settle for my old legs any day.”

“Do you think you could get the pictures and maybe later we might have her come in?”

“You’re not going to give me her legs?  I didn’t mean take Tracy’s legs.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes we would use her legs.  It might be easier to have her legs as models.  But if the pictures are good we’ll use them.  We made you about two inches shorter, it usually helps balance.”

“And I hate it.  I knew something was different.  Make them exactly like I was, no, make me an inch taller.  I want to have legs like Tracy.”

“But it would be easier to walk with shorter legs.”  He tried to get it out but Mitzi cut him off.

“No, make that two inches taller, same as her.  It isn’t going to be easy to walk with two of these pylons, or any contraption you dream up.  I might as well get something I want.  I’ll not compromise, two inches more, nothing less.  I want to be five foot nine.”

The technician shook his head.  “Whatever you say but it is going to be more difficult for you.”