When Life Gives You Lemons…Chapter Two
A Life Changed
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Chapter Two:
I opened my eyes, forgetting where I was for a second, forgetting that I was shot for only a brief second. I was still having a hard time processing what I had gone through.
The nurses came and went, checking my vitals and making sure that I was okay, but it wasn’t until the doctors walked in that I was confronted with a reality I wasn’t ready to face.
My instincts told me that there was something wrong in the parking lot as soon as I entered it. I didn’t have my gun or badge; the gun was locked away in a gun safe, and the badge was hidden in a desk drawer. Despite having the gun with me, I wouldn’t have been able to draw it, everything happened so fast.
“The bullet did some serious damage, if only it had been a fraction of an inch higher, I might not be speaking with you right now.” I looked at the doctor, who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, wearing scrubs that read Robertson. I swallowed hard knowing that whatever the doctors said to finish that sentence the news was not good.
“We performed surgery as soon as we were convinced you were stable enough to survive it, but the damage was done, you are paralyzed from the waist down.”
I nodded, facing this. reality was difficult. This meant that everything about my life had changed. I was a cop, that’s what I always wanted to be and in an instant that had been taken from me.
“With the right care, people with injuries can live long, full lives.”
I nodded, I wasn’t concerned about dying, but I worried about the death of my career. The idea of sitting at home or even behind a desk did not appeal to me.
“I’m not going to pretend it’s going to be easy, but the fact that you are young and healthy, will help.”
I could only nod, not wanting to break down in front of this stranger. I needed to pull myself together, I didn’t want to fall apart in front of someone I didn’t know.
“I know it’s a lot to take in.” Doctor Robertson said. “If you need someone to talk to we have a psychologist we could send in.”
I nodded, acknowledging that I understood. In the end, I did not understand what had happened, how a trip to the home improvement store could have caused me to go down, I was aware of the dangers I faced whenever I donned the badge, but I never thought I would end up buying a washer and dryer and that would completely change my life.
I lay in the hospital bed for a short time when a physical therapist came in, introducing herself letting me know that the exercises would begin right away, so I would gain enough strength to sit up in a whee and then learn how to navigate this new reality, life in a wheelchair. I would face new challenges, new obstacles.
After a few simple exercises, I was exhausted, more emotionally than physically. But a short time later my partner came in, doing his best to brighten my mood.
“Emilia, there are better ways to get attention.” Brock joked, if I didn’t know Brock so well, I may have taken offense. As it was I simply remained quiet not knowing what to say.
Brock’s mood shifted when he read the pain in my eyes. He placed a hand on my shoulder, offering a comforting gesture.
“Emilia, it’s going to be okay.”
“I can’t just sit at home doing nothing once I’m out of here, he took my career from me and I don’t Know why.”
“What are you saying?” Brock asked, and I realized in that moment I had not told him about my injuries, about what the doctor had told me.
“I was shot, the bullet paralyzed me.” I said. “I’m paralyzed from the waist down, my career is over.”
“Emilia, I think you are jumping to conclusion, you are alive, where there’s life, there’s hope.”
To Be Continued..,
©️ Michelle R Kidwell
March.05.2024