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General / Re: Story: Leigh and Joel
« Last post by napacaster on Today at 05:01:49 »Ch. 125 - Retirement
Today is the day that Kathy returns to work wearing her halo brace and multiple casts, and she is so excited. She and Lydia had a great time at Kings Mouintain Retreat, and then they spent a relaxing week at home together. Lydia is still in the LATS that Pat applied for her at the resort, too. I think she might wear it for a full six-week term. Both ladies are really enjoying themselves and each other; I have never seen Kathy or Lydia so happy!
Last Friday, Kathy sent the following email to the entire department:
Good Afternoon,
I want to let you all know that I will be returning to work on Monday. I am feeling good and have become very accustomed to wearing my casts and my extremely restrictive halo brace. I feel some discomfort and pressure from the pins that secure my halo brace to my skull, but other than that, I'm pain-free.
I think that by now everyone knows that I have casts on both legs, with the one on my right leg going to my thigh, a full arm cast on my left arm that also includes my thumb, and of course, my halo brace. Attached is a photo so you can see how I look wearing my casts and halo, so my appearance doesn't come as a shock; it's all quite intense. I am feeling really good and will be able to work without any issues despite being so heavily immobilized. I have missed all of you, and I am very excited to see everyone very soon.
Best Regards,
Kathy
On Monday morning, Judy, Rebekah, and I did our usual exercise routine. I have built enough strength that I can crutch short distances in my hip spica cast, and I crutch around the house quite often, but only when Joel is around in case I need help. After exercising, getting dressed, and having breakfast, Judy and I headed to the office together, and Jimmy and Joel went to the shop. This will be one of our last commutes together; I retire next week. I'll miss our daily girl talk, and I know Judy will, too.
We got to the office, and Judy and I went our separate ways. A few minutes after I was settled in my office, the elevator door opened, and Kathy wheeled out. She was wearing a long, dark blue dress that went to her ankles. Only her feet, in their brightly colored casts, could be seen below the hemline; the extent of either cast could not be seen. The joystick for her wheelchair was now mounted to the left side, and she was controlling the chair with her casted left arm, leaving her braced right arm free to carry her handbag or use the computer.
The neckline of her dress with long, loose sleeves was perfect. The uprights of her halo didn't stretch the fabric. Her hair was carefully styled around her halo ring and blue cervical headgear, which matched her dress. Simply put, she looked absolutely beautiful, at ease, and very comfortable in her casts and halo brace.
During the course of the morning, Kathy had many well-wishers stop by her office. I saw her once pull up her dress a bit to show a couple of girls how high up the cast on her right leg went. Whenever she was talking to people, she seemed to have the habit of always touching some part of her halo brace with her right hand, sort of like how some ladies play with their hair. It was so adorable, and I couldn't help but wonder whether I had done the same thing when wearing my halo brace. I don't remember, but maybe I did. I know Emme was always touching her halo brace when talking to people about it and had a habit of hooking her thumbs over where the uprights connected to her vest in the front.
Over the course of the week, Kathy began to wear skirts and dresses that revealed more of her casts and halo brace. We went to lunch every day and always got a lot of attention as we made our way down the street in our wheelchairs. This would be our last week working together, as I retire this coming Monday. I got to spend a lot of time with Kathy tying up loose ends this week, too. It was fun to meet with people with both of us so immobilized, but Kathy had some feelings of guilt about people thinking she had been so badly injured.
Now, it's my big day. After many years of hard work and dedication, I'm finally retiring. Judy helped me get dressed, and Rebekah did my makeup and styled my hair around my purple interlandi headgear. I wore a dark purple dress that was rather short and tight-fitting. It clung to my hips, clearly showing the outline of my hip spica cast. My bright red lips contrasted with my purple double facebows and matched my red glasses. I wanted to look ravishing on my last day, and I did!
The ride to work was emotional for Judy; she thought it would be our last. Judy began to cry several times and had to pull over to compose herself. I told her not to worry. I have a consulting contract with the company and will be coming in quite often or needing a ride to the shop to help Emme and Sam; we would still ride together several days a week. Judy was happy to hear that news, and it really cheered her up. I was so sorry that I had forgotten to tell her all my plans.
Around ten, Joel arrived with several of my closest friends. The president of the company and the board of directors are going to recognize my years of service and present me with a gift. Kathy and Lydia soon joined us in my office. Lydia and Joel packed up the last of my personal effects from my office, and soon I would be wheeling out of my office for the last time. When I walked into my office for the first time all those years ago, I never imagined that I would be in a wheelchair and huge cast-brace combination on my last day and in the process of voluntarily becoming crippled.
Just before eleven, we all made our way to the board room. Nothing was said to Kathy or me about our casts and braces; everyone is so used to us being immobilized in some fashion or another. The president of the company, Angela Smith, said, "Please everyone, take a seat. I want to say a few brief words."
After Angla's speech, everyone applauded, and Joel unstrapped me from my wheelchair. He helped me crutch to the podium and then firmly grasped the bars on the back of my Milwaukee brace to steady me. I handed him my crutches, then Angela gave me a hug and simply said, "Thank you, Leigh, and best wishes," as she handed me a small box.
Once I laid eyes on the box, I instantly knew it was something special. I don't often talk about my watch-collecting hobby; I never wear anything flashy, but I do have a few luxury watches, but nothing like what this box contains. Across the front of the box were the words "A. Lange & Sohne". I carefully opened the box, and it contained the watch I have always dreamed of owning: a Little Lange 1 Moon Phase in rose gold with a white strap. The watch was beautiful, and I began to cry.
With tears in my eyes, I thanked Angela for my wonderful gift and expressed how much I have enjoyed my career and everyone I have worked with. Angela announced there would be a party in the conference room, and everyone was welcome to attend. I crutched back to my wheelchair, and Joel got me strapped in. He then helped me strap my new watch to my wrist and put my gold Longines in my purse.
Everyone had a wonderful time, and I really enjoyed talking with people. The catered lunch was excellent, as was the cake. As the day was winding down, I had Joel help to my feet and then he supported my body, and I made a short speech:
"Thank you all for coming and celebrating this milestone in my life. This is the start of the rest of my life, and I am looking forward to it. I'll still see you when I come in to do my contract work, so this is not really a goodbye."
"I also want to thank you all for your kindness and support when it comes to my physical condition. I just want all of you to know that, despite how others might feel if they were in my situation, I am very happy and content with my life and wouldn't change a thing. My physical handicap is a part of me that I have known was coming for years, and pardon the pun, I embrace my braces."
"With me retiring and Kathy doing so soon, there is an opportunity for many people in our department to make a step up. Kathy and I have been assured that those who will fill our shoes, or, I guess right now, our casts, will be from within the department, and we have made several suggestions. Once again, thank you and have a great afternoon."
With everyone on their way, Kathy and I got a chance to talk about her halo brace and cast adventure:
K - Leigh, this has been such a great experience, and I love my casts and halo brace. I only wish I could wear them forever, but I might just have to settle for KAFOs and a Milwaukee or Kuehnegger brace.
L - I know what you mean, Kathy. I wish I could stay in my hip spica forever, too. You saw how well I did crutching around, and I'm glad I've been practicing. It was so much fun to be on my feet with all eyes on me. Gary said wearing my new braces will be a lot like wearing my current cast-brace combination, but I will be able to bend my hips and knees if I unlock them. Joel and I are both looking forward to me living as a cripple, and I won't have to fake it anymore—it will now be for real. Joel said being married to a crippled girl has been his dream since he was a teenager, and now it's coming true.
K - Lydia said the same thing to me while we were on our trip. She is thrilled that when I retire, I will be wearing braces because she has always found individuals with disabilities fascinating. Oh, about our trip. We are really looking forward to our group vacation at the resort. Some of the friends we met plan to come, too.
L - That's great; I know everyone is excited to meet them. Speaking of our trip, are you and Lydia still planning to get married then?
K - Yes, we are. It's a perfect setting, and everyone that we would want at our wedding will be there, too.
L - Judy said that she hopes that Jimmy proposes marriage soon so they can get married on the trip. She feels funny about proposing to him; she can be a bit old-fashioned at times, but I told her to do it if she loves him that much. She also said that Billy and Collene want to get married there, too. Kings Mountain looks to be such a beautiful place from all the pictures you showed us. Let's talk to Annie and Charlie; maybe there will be four ceremonies?
K - At the Christmas party, I heard Sam and Millie talking about marriage and saw they were both wearing what looked like engagement rings. Maybe there will be five ceremonies. That would be crazy, wouldn't it?
L- It would, Kathy. I did notice their rings, but thought nothing of them. By the way, did you hear that Emme, Sam, and Millie are all getting KAFOs, too? Billy is even making Sam and Millie special braces with roller skates; they are going to try roller skating in leg braces. I don't think it's possible, but those girls are always full of surprises.
K - I heard something but didn't get the details. That's cool. I hope Sam and Millie don't end up breaking something trying to skate while wearing their braces. I believe Sam enjoys wearing her Milwaukee brace for her scoliosis, and those girls went through so much after their accident that I wouldn't want to see them in any casts or braces that they weren't wearing for enjoyment.
It's going to be great when Lydia and I get our braces. Lydia wants to wear her braces when we get married, and they're almost done. I'll be out of my casts and wearing my KAFOs with my halo brace by then, too.
L - That would be so cool, Kathy; you in your halo and KAFOs, Lydia in her KAFOs, and either her Milwaukee or Kuehnegger brace. I'm excited to see Lydia with her braces; the two of you will look adorable.
K- Oh, we will, Leigh... Oh, look! Here come Joel and Lydia. Let's go find Paul and Rebekah; I saw them go off with Judy to her office. Since we're all dressed up and it's a day to celebrate, let's go to Harry's Grill for drinks and dinner.
L - Sounds like a plan, Kathy. Let's go!
And with that, we were all off to Harry’s Grill.
Today is the day that Kathy returns to work wearing her halo brace and multiple casts, and she is so excited. She and Lydia had a great time at Kings Mouintain Retreat, and then they spent a relaxing week at home together. Lydia is still in the LATS that Pat applied for her at the resort, too. I think she might wear it for a full six-week term. Both ladies are really enjoying themselves and each other; I have never seen Kathy or Lydia so happy!
Last Friday, Kathy sent the following email to the entire department:
Good Afternoon,
I want to let you all know that I will be returning to work on Monday. I am feeling good and have become very accustomed to wearing my casts and my extremely restrictive halo brace. I feel some discomfort and pressure from the pins that secure my halo brace to my skull, but other than that, I'm pain-free.
I think that by now everyone knows that I have casts on both legs, with the one on my right leg going to my thigh, a full arm cast on my left arm that also includes my thumb, and of course, my halo brace. Attached is a photo so you can see how I look wearing my casts and halo, so my appearance doesn't come as a shock; it's all quite intense. I am feeling really good and will be able to work without any issues despite being so heavily immobilized. I have missed all of you, and I am very excited to see everyone very soon.
Best Regards,
Kathy
On Monday morning, Judy, Rebekah, and I did our usual exercise routine. I have built enough strength that I can crutch short distances in my hip spica cast, and I crutch around the house quite often, but only when Joel is around in case I need help. After exercising, getting dressed, and having breakfast, Judy and I headed to the office together, and Jimmy and Joel went to the shop. This will be one of our last commutes together; I retire next week. I'll miss our daily girl talk, and I know Judy will, too.
We got to the office, and Judy and I went our separate ways. A few minutes after I was settled in my office, the elevator door opened, and Kathy wheeled out. She was wearing a long, dark blue dress that went to her ankles. Only her feet, in their brightly colored casts, could be seen below the hemline; the extent of either cast could not be seen. The joystick for her wheelchair was now mounted to the left side, and she was controlling the chair with her casted left arm, leaving her braced right arm free to carry her handbag or use the computer.
The neckline of her dress with long, loose sleeves was perfect. The uprights of her halo didn't stretch the fabric. Her hair was carefully styled around her halo ring and blue cervical headgear, which matched her dress. Simply put, she looked absolutely beautiful, at ease, and very comfortable in her casts and halo brace.
During the course of the morning, Kathy had many well-wishers stop by her office. I saw her once pull up her dress a bit to show a couple of girls how high up the cast on her right leg went. Whenever she was talking to people, she seemed to have the habit of always touching some part of her halo brace with her right hand, sort of like how some ladies play with their hair. It was so adorable, and I couldn't help but wonder whether I had done the same thing when wearing my halo brace. I don't remember, but maybe I did. I know Emme was always touching her halo brace when talking to people about it and had a habit of hooking her thumbs over where the uprights connected to her vest in the front.
Over the course of the week, Kathy began to wear skirts and dresses that revealed more of her casts and halo brace. We went to lunch every day and always got a lot of attention as we made our way down the street in our wheelchairs. This would be our last week working together, as I retire this coming Monday. I got to spend a lot of time with Kathy tying up loose ends this week, too. It was fun to meet with people with both of us so immobilized, but Kathy had some feelings of guilt about people thinking she had been so badly injured.
Now, it's my big day. After many years of hard work and dedication, I'm finally retiring. Judy helped me get dressed, and Rebekah did my makeup and styled my hair around my purple interlandi headgear. I wore a dark purple dress that was rather short and tight-fitting. It clung to my hips, clearly showing the outline of my hip spica cast. My bright red lips contrasted with my purple double facebows and matched my red glasses. I wanted to look ravishing on my last day, and I did!
The ride to work was emotional for Judy; she thought it would be our last. Judy began to cry several times and had to pull over to compose herself. I told her not to worry. I have a consulting contract with the company and will be coming in quite often or needing a ride to the shop to help Emme and Sam; we would still ride together several days a week. Judy was happy to hear that news, and it really cheered her up. I was so sorry that I had forgotten to tell her all my plans.
Around ten, Joel arrived with several of my closest friends. The president of the company and the board of directors are going to recognize my years of service and present me with a gift. Kathy and Lydia soon joined us in my office. Lydia and Joel packed up the last of my personal effects from my office, and soon I would be wheeling out of my office for the last time. When I walked into my office for the first time all those years ago, I never imagined that I would be in a wheelchair and huge cast-brace combination on my last day and in the process of voluntarily becoming crippled.
Just before eleven, we all made our way to the board room. Nothing was said to Kathy or me about our casts and braces; everyone is so used to us being immobilized in some fashion or another. The president of the company, Angela Smith, said, "Please everyone, take a seat. I want to say a few brief words."
After Angla's speech, everyone applauded, and Joel unstrapped me from my wheelchair. He helped me crutch to the podium and then firmly grasped the bars on the back of my Milwaukee brace to steady me. I handed him my crutches, then Angela gave me a hug and simply said, "Thank you, Leigh, and best wishes," as she handed me a small box.
Once I laid eyes on the box, I instantly knew it was something special. I don't often talk about my watch-collecting hobby; I never wear anything flashy, but I do have a few luxury watches, but nothing like what this box contains. Across the front of the box were the words "A. Lange & Sohne". I carefully opened the box, and it contained the watch I have always dreamed of owning: a Little Lange 1 Moon Phase in rose gold with a white strap. The watch was beautiful, and I began to cry.
With tears in my eyes, I thanked Angela for my wonderful gift and expressed how much I have enjoyed my career and everyone I have worked with. Angela announced there would be a party in the conference room, and everyone was welcome to attend. I crutched back to my wheelchair, and Joel got me strapped in. He then helped me strap my new watch to my wrist and put my gold Longines in my purse.
Everyone had a wonderful time, and I really enjoyed talking with people. The catered lunch was excellent, as was the cake. As the day was winding down, I had Joel help to my feet and then he supported my body, and I made a short speech:
"Thank you all for coming and celebrating this milestone in my life. This is the start of the rest of my life, and I am looking forward to it. I'll still see you when I come in to do my contract work, so this is not really a goodbye."
"I also want to thank you all for your kindness and support when it comes to my physical condition. I just want all of you to know that, despite how others might feel if they were in my situation, I am very happy and content with my life and wouldn't change a thing. My physical handicap is a part of me that I have known was coming for years, and pardon the pun, I embrace my braces."
"With me retiring and Kathy doing so soon, there is an opportunity for many people in our department to make a step up. Kathy and I have been assured that those who will fill our shoes, or, I guess right now, our casts, will be from within the department, and we have made several suggestions. Once again, thank you and have a great afternoon."
With everyone on their way, Kathy and I got a chance to talk about her halo brace and cast adventure:
K - Leigh, this has been such a great experience, and I love my casts and halo brace. I only wish I could wear them forever, but I might just have to settle for KAFOs and a Milwaukee or Kuehnegger brace.
L - I know what you mean, Kathy. I wish I could stay in my hip spica forever, too. You saw how well I did crutching around, and I'm glad I've been practicing. It was so much fun to be on my feet with all eyes on me. Gary said wearing my new braces will be a lot like wearing my current cast-brace combination, but I will be able to bend my hips and knees if I unlock them. Joel and I are both looking forward to me living as a cripple, and I won't have to fake it anymore—it will now be for real. Joel said being married to a crippled girl has been his dream since he was a teenager, and now it's coming true.
K - Lydia said the same thing to me while we were on our trip. She is thrilled that when I retire, I will be wearing braces because she has always found individuals with disabilities fascinating. Oh, about our trip. We are really looking forward to our group vacation at the resort. Some of the friends we met plan to come, too.
L - That's great; I know everyone is excited to meet them. Speaking of our trip, are you and Lydia still planning to get married then?
K - Yes, we are. It's a perfect setting, and everyone that we would want at our wedding will be there, too.
L - Judy said that she hopes that Jimmy proposes marriage soon so they can get married on the trip. She feels funny about proposing to him; she can be a bit old-fashioned at times, but I told her to do it if she loves him that much. She also said that Billy and Collene want to get married there, too. Kings Mountain looks to be such a beautiful place from all the pictures you showed us. Let's talk to Annie and Charlie; maybe there will be four ceremonies?
K - At the Christmas party, I heard Sam and Millie talking about marriage and saw they were both wearing what looked like engagement rings. Maybe there will be five ceremonies. That would be crazy, wouldn't it?
L- It would, Kathy. I did notice their rings, but thought nothing of them. By the way, did you hear that Emme, Sam, and Millie are all getting KAFOs, too? Billy is even making Sam and Millie special braces with roller skates; they are going to try roller skating in leg braces. I don't think it's possible, but those girls are always full of surprises.
K - I heard something but didn't get the details. That's cool. I hope Sam and Millie don't end up breaking something trying to skate while wearing their braces. I believe Sam enjoys wearing her Milwaukee brace for her scoliosis, and those girls went through so much after their accident that I wouldn't want to see them in any casts or braces that they weren't wearing for enjoyment.
It's going to be great when Lydia and I get our braces. Lydia wants to wear her braces when we get married, and they're almost done. I'll be out of my casts and wearing my KAFOs with my halo brace by then, too.
L - That would be so cool, Kathy; you in your halo and KAFOs, Lydia in her KAFOs, and either her Milwaukee or Kuehnegger brace. I'm excited to see Lydia with her braces; the two of you will look adorable.
K- Oh, we will, Leigh... Oh, look! Here come Joel and Lydia. Let's go find Paul and Rebekah; I saw them go off with Judy to her office. Since we're all dressed up and it's a day to celebrate, let's go to Harry's Grill for drinks and dinner.
L - Sounds like a plan, Kathy. Let's go!
And with that, we were all off to Harry’s Grill.