Working to Walking

Working to Walking

By-Amanda D. Petty

“I know I can!”

I say to myself

As my physical therapist stands me up.

Feeling the hardwood floor, first time.

Trepidation over falling on my nose.

A sense of true freedom rushes in my blood cells.

I look at a saying on my wall:

“Faith makes things possible, not easy.”

“You can do this.

Take one step at a time,” my PT said.

“Yes, I can!”

Tired legs, hurting muscles.

“Just push through it,” I repeated endlessly.

An endless dream, closed.

Moving my weak legs, sweating with each step.

“A few more steps. Right, left, right, left.

Come on, you can do this,”

I say to myself.

“You’re doing great!” My PT said.

“I know I can!” I say repeatingly.

Step by step, I walked into the next room.

Sweat on my forehead, rolling down.

I quickly viewed my PT.

A huge smile showed on his face.

“I need to sit,” I said to him.

He carried me to my power wheelchair.

Catching my breath, I smiled back at him.

“You did it, Amanda. You just walked!” My PT said.

After he left, tears of accomplishment enter my eyes.

“Yes, I did walk!”