Evan's story, Chapter 20, Back Brace Bash

Back Brace Bash

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy.

Psalm 32-11

   Evan had survived a terrible ordeal and it would take him awhile to fully recover. But if we would have known at the time how much better Evan would be, our spirits would have soared.

   Two months after his homecoming, we went to the Bob Jones Bike Trail. Six months prior to this, Evan could only roll himself from the start of the trail to where it crossed San Luis Drive before he was too fatigued. On this day, Evan was able to roll himself past San Luis Drive, past the Country club complex and along the creek, and back again, without assistance. In other words, he was able to push himself four times farther than before. It was both exciting and sobering. It was a sign that Evan really did need that dreaded spinal fusion and that it was successful. 

   Evan was looking ahead. His first order of business was to throw a party he called his Back Brace Bash. This is much better than smashing a piñata. He had a back brace he wore before the surgery and one he had to wear during his recovery. Both were going to be smashed, crushed, mangled and tossed in the trash. He invited all of his friends and relatives.

   Evan looked on with delight as David smashed the braces with an axe. But they were built tough. His big brother finally used a saw to destroy the dreadful and stupid braces. In front of a cheering crowd, Evan finally tossed the braces in the trash. After all, that’s where they belonged.

Take that, stupid back brace!