About two in the afternoon Brittany came out to the front desk.  “Sylvia.  I have time for you now.”

“Let me have someone cover and I’ll be back.”

Two minutes later she was at Brittany’s area.  A pair of wooden crutches were leaning against Brittany’s desk. 

Brittany showed Sylvia how to fit the crutches for herself.  Then she gave them to Sylvia.  “Now fit them for yourself.”

Sylvia made adjustments and Brittany shook her head.  She showed her the needed adjustments and why they were important.

“Golly, I saw someone in the office leaning on the tops.”
“Saddles.”

“What saddles?  I didn’t see any horses.”

“The saddles are the tops of the crutches.  You need to start to learn the words that are used.  These are saddles, grips, tips.”  She pointed to the parts of the crutches.  Brittany pulled out a worn pair of crutches in the corner.  She showed Sylvia how to use them.  After a few steps she pulled a strap out of her desk.  “Sit down.”

A minute later the strap was holding Sylvia’s leg at a 30 degree angle.  “Now stand up.”

“How.”

Brittany sat down and used the crutches to raise her body.  Sylvia watched and then stood.  She was very unsteady.  “Put the crutches under your arms and put your hands on the grips.  Now take a couple of steps.”

“Gee.  This isn’t easy.”

“OK.  Now go back to George.  He will help you on the steps then go back out front.”

“With this on?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well.”

“I think the sooner you get started the better.”

“But you want me to work with one leg?”

“If you find something you really can’t do you can unhook it then re-hook it.”

“OK.  Boy this is tough.”

“Remember, this is what our leg clients face every day.  When you learn what they are going through you will be worth more to them and to the company.”