Page 66 of The Game Changer
If Charlie’s at all nervous about the consultation with Tom, he doesn’t show it. Instead, my son wows me with how prepared he is. How did I not know he’d done so much research about prosthetic arms? Way more than what he and Juni showed me when he first brought this up.
He asks about different materials, hand attachments, considerations for balance, and so much more. Luca interjects a few times, and I simply sit there and try to absorb it all.
Then Tom asks Charlie a question that I would have assumed had a simple answer. And once again, my kid surprises the heck out of me.
“I’m impressed with how much thought you’ve put into this, Charlie. From the history your mom gave me, it seems you tried a prosthetic arm when you were much younger but didn’t have a great experience. Can I askwhat’s changed and why you feel ready to try again? It will help me know what I need to do to support you being successful this time around if I know not only what went wrong last time, but also how it might be different this time.”
Taking a deep breath in, Charlie fixes his gaze on the floor. His leg bounces, and it’s the first sign that he’s feeling anything but confident and excited.
“I’ve always loved baseball. Me, my mom, and my Poppa, we used to watch a ton of games on TV or go to live ones whenever we could. I’d watch the players and picture myself out on the field. With two arms.”
I watch him swallow, and my hand flies over to Luca, who’s sitting beside me, clutching his hand in mine, desperate for support. He squeezes it back, and I immediately feel settled enough to keep listening.
“I know there’s guys who play with disabilities. Jim Abbott is my favourite player because he only had one hand, like me. I watch the Paralympic baseball games every time. But those guys have really good prosthetics. Like, crazy expensive good. And I was scared that I’d suck at baseball, even with an arm. So I decided not to bother. No arm, no risk of sucking at the sport I love.”
My heart cracks in two. I knew he struggled with his confidence, he always has. I’ve done my best to help him find things he can excel at and encouraged him every step of the way to not let his disability hold him back from achieving anything in life.
How did I miss the fact that it was holding him back from what he loved most of all?
“Then we moved here and my friends convinced meto come hang out at their practices. And the coach helped me figure out some stuff, ways I could still do things and sorta play one-handed.” Finally, a smile comes back to his face. “But I know I could be even better if I had an arm. And now there’s attachments that can hold a glove or a bat. I dunno if we can afford it, but I wanna try.”
My son spins in his seat and looks at me with a pleading expression. “I’ll help pay for the attachments, Mom. I’ll find a job or do whatever. I just?—”
Luca interrupts, looking at Tom. “How much are we talking, Doc? There was that hockey player you worked with a couple of years ago, that was in the news. Didn’t you help him get set up with an arm that held a hockey stick? There’s got to be something similar for baseball.”
Tom nods, looking back to Charlie. “There are lots of options for athletes. But Charlie is right to bring up the cost. They’re not cheap.”
“What if cost isn’t an issue?” Luca’s voice is firm, and I know what he’s about to say next, which is why I cut in.
“Tom, let’s go ahead with measurements and get the process started for something today. I’m sure any prosthesis will be a lot better than what we tried when you were younger.” I look at Charlie, who nods and gives me a small smile. “And then maybe we can get some quotes for the attachments for baseball. I’ll take a look at our insurance coverage and we can figure out what we can do. Sound like a plan?”
Charlie’s up and out of his chair in a flash, flinging himself into my arms. “Thanks, Mom.” I hug him back, closing my eyes and sending a silent prayer out to theuniverse that somehow, I can find a way to make this happen for him.
“There are some charities that provide funding for families needing medical devices,” Tom says gently. “I can apply for them on your behalf.”
I shoot him a grateful look. “That would be wonderful, thank you.”
“My pleasure. Okay Charlie, let's get started.”
As we walk out of Tom’s office some time later, Luca hangs back with me as Charlie heads to the car.
“Isla, let me pay for whatever Charlie needs.”
I shoot him a quelling look. “That’s generous, but unnecessary. I can take care of my son’s needs.”
He shifts on his feet. “I know you can, you’re fucking wonder woman. But I have the money. I can do this for you.”
We come to a stop outside, a few feet away from the car. Keeping my voice down I say, “I know you can, and I appreciate that you want to help. But I can’t just accept you spending that kind of money.”No matter how much I want to.
He gives me a look that tells me he won’t let it go quite that easily, but I just stare right back at him.
The tension is only broken when Charlie opens the car door and shouts at us. “I’m hungry, can we go get burgers?”
“Lunch is on me,” Luca announces when we slide into abooth at Dot’s Diner, giving me a look that all but dares me to protest.
I don’t. Instead, I smile and say, “Thank you.”
“I’m starved,” Charlie says, scanning the menu. “I could eat one of everything.”
