I start to awake slowly. I hear people talking around me. I hear Cathy's voice. Trying to open my eyes. I moan. Cathy takes my hand. "I'm right here baby", she says. "Cathy", I manage to whisper, "what ha...". "Baby I'm right here" she says, "but I need to tell you something". "wha...", I whisper. "Baby, you're in the hospital, but sweetie, I'm afraid things didn't go as planned". She continues, "baby, you fell backwards and landed on the pool deck. You didn't break your neck like we had planned. Mel, baby, you broke your back at L2/3, and it's complete. So you are a paraplegic. But baby, there is something else I need to tell you". I'm struggling to open my eyes. Can't get them to open. "Baby", Cathy says with a tone of great concern, "you also hit your head and suffered a pretty bad head injury. Baby, I don't know how to tell you this, but the Dr. says you'll never be able to see again baby. You're blind".
"You're blind". I realize my eyes are open. I grope for my face. Feel my eyes. I begin to cry. "Cathy", I cry softly, "what have I done" "It's ok baby", she reassures me, "I am going to be right by your side. You're going to get thru this just fine". Her words do not offer me the comfort she intends as I feel the brace on my body and my numb hips. My mind is reeling with the impact of the reality I now face. Bind and unable to walk. I cry myself to sleep with Cathy holding my hand and trying to comfort me.
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