Page 27 of Hiding Rose
“It’s easier to leave the brace in the shoe, and slip your foot inside it, than try to get the brace in the shoe when it’s on your foot.”
I set the shoe in front of me and slid my leg down in the way he showed me. “I hadn’t thought of it, but you’re right, your ankle wouldn’t bend and the shoe would collapse.”
He nodded. “Right, so we leave Bim’s in his shoes. Makes it easy to put on and take off.”
I glanced up from where I was tying the shoe on. “Doesn’t he wear them in the house?”
He shook his head. “No, these are made to wear in shoes only. The bottom is slippery and uneven to correct your valgus or varus deformity. You can wear it in the house, but only if you have your shoes on. We like to give Bim time out of them a few hours a day, but once you break it in, you can wear it as much as you like. Some adults put them on in the morning and they don’t come off until their shower at night. Just remember, if you get up in the middle of the night you won’t have it on, and will need both crutches.” He held out his hand. “I want you to stand up, but don’t take any steps.”
“Got it,” I said, taking his hand to stand. Once I was up I waited for more directions.
“How does it feel? Does it pinch anywhere? Does it hurt at any particular spot? I can adjust just about anything.”
I tested the leg by putting a little bit more weight on it until there was resistance under my arch. “Not that I can tell just standing here. Maybe if I try walking,” I said, accepting the crutches from him.
He didn’t let go of my hand. “The brace is going to make it feel weird when you roll over. It will take you a little while to get the hang of it, so I’m going to put my hospital belt around your waist,” he explained, pulling a wide cloth belt out of his bag. “If you start to fall, at least I can catch you with this.”
I waited while he fastened it around my waist and then set the crutches forward, stepping through as I normally do. I understood what he meant immediately. The foot no longer pointed out to the side, but now it was harder to get into roll over. Once we got out in the hallway there was a longer stretch of space, and after a few moments I got the hang of it.
“How does it feel?” he asked again and I finished the few feet to my office and lowered myself to the chair.
“Amazing,” I whispered, wiping away a tear. “Why hasn’t someone suggested this before?”
He knelt and handed me a tissue. “I don’t know, but I’m glad it made a difference. I’m not a licensed physician or anything, but I watch a lot of kids walk before and after they get a brace. I saw the same thing with you. Your hip doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the leg straight and moving. I’m wondering if the biggest part of your problem has to do with fatigue of the hip, than actual damage of the nerves or foot. If nothing else it will get you through until you see the doctor.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Niko. You don’t know how this is going to change my life.”
When I let him go, he smiled. “I think I do. I have a little boy at home who went from never leaving his crib at over a year old, to running around on the playground. I’ll be happy if it lessens your pain for a few weeks. The fewer spasms you have, hopefully means the fewer times you’ll fall. I would rather see you enjoying your life and experiencing everything Hawaii has to offer than sitting in your apartment alone.”
“She won’t be, not if I have anything to say about it,” Sawyer said from the doorway. He was leaning on the doorjamb.
“Hey, Sawyer. We were just finishing up. You should see her walk now. Her pain is better?” he asked, glancing at me.
I nodded, smiling what I hoped was a normal smile.
Sawyer smiled, too. “Good. She deserves to walk without pain.”
Niko pushed himself up and gathered his tools. “She does, and I’m going to be on my way, but if you have any pain from wearing it, call or text me. If it’s pinching, same advice. I can heat up the material and push it out if it’s pinching, or shave it down in areas if they are too tight. Don’t suffer because you think it will get better. It won’t. Also, only wear it for a few hours at a time then take it off and let your muscles relax. We’re convincing them to do new things with the brace and they might get angry if you don’t give them a chance to rest. After two or three days, you can use it as much as you want, as long as it doesn’t increase your pain.”
I stood up on my crutches and hugged him again. “I’ll call you if anything comes up. Thank you so much for getting this to me quickly. I can’t wait to try it out on the beach.”
I noticed Sawyer smile and wink at me as I hugged Niko. I braced myself on my crutches again and Niko swung his backpack up onto his shoulder. “I’m always happy to help friends when I can. I told the lab you wanted to pay for it, but they refused. He used a scrap of plastic from a prosthetic that he couldn’t use for anything else.”
I nodded once. “Okay, but they can’t stop me from making a donation to the Shriner’s Hospital.”
He laughed and shook his head. “No, they can’t stop you nor would they discourage you. Have a good day, and if you need anything—”
“Call,” I finished and he gave me the hang ten sign, slapped Sawyer on the shoulder, and left the office.
Sawyer stepped into the room and closed the door, a box behind his back. “This is for you.”
I sat again and he laid it on my lap. I glanced at it and then back to him. “You brought me more flowers?”
He held up his hands near his chest. “It wasn’t me. I was walking down the hallway and saw a delivery guy headed your way. He had this box for you. Seems you have a secret admirer.”
The way he said the words sent a shiver down my spine and I set it next to me on the desk, not wanting to open it in his presence. “I see. Did you need something?”
He shook his head. “Nope, not a thing. I was looking for you, though. I was hoping you’d consider spending some time with me tonight.”
