The Disability Journey - Chapter 4

Getting Wheels

   The first time Katie say the young woman in the wheelchair it was just a brief glimpse of her as she exited the train two stops before Katie’s. As Katie went through her day she couldn’t get the sight of the woman out of her head. The next day Katie looked for her on the train but couldn’t find her and resolved to keep a lookout. Two days later, as she got onto the train, she found herself in the same carriage as the young woman. Katie watched her out of the corner of her eye. The woman was sitting in a sleek, lightweight wheelchair. Katie could see that her legs looked thin and atrophied under her black yoga pants. A strap across her ankles held her feet in the footrests. Katie knew she must be a paraplegic. As the train slowed for a stop, the woman undid the brakes and quickly and smoothly wheeled herself towards the exit. The woman moved easily and with a practiced air. Katie looked down at her own braced legs. While she had gotten used to her braces over the past several weeks, it would be so much easier to use a wheelchair like the young woman. Katie found herself picturing herself sitting in a wheelchair like the young woman's, her legs, limp and useless, strapped in so they wouldn’t drag. Her legs had actually started to look a bit thinner as the weeks of bracing had begun to melt away her muscle tone. She thought how nice it would be to be able to wear yoga pants instead of skirts all the time. She knew her thin legs would look good in them.

   Over the next week Katie saw the young woman a few more times until one morning, as she was sitting on the train, she heard a voice behind her.

   “Hi,” said the voice. Katie jumped a bit and turned to find the young woman in her wheelchair behind her.

   “Oh, uh, hi,” Katie said, a bit flustered.

   “I noticed you’re wearing full HKFAO braces. Are you paralyzed?” the woman asked. “Sorry if that’s too forward, I just don’t see to many other woman like me. I’m Clara by the way.” She stuck out her hand in greeting.

   “I’m Katie,” Katie said, taking the woman’s hand and shaking it. “I, uh, well yes, I’m paralyzed.”

   “May I ask why you don’t use a wheelchair? It would certainly be easier than those braces and crutches.” Clara said.

   “I don’t really know, I’m only an L1 so that’s what I’ve used since my injury and I’ve just never switched. I’ve noticed you on the train a few times and I’ll admit a wheelchair certainly looks easier to get around in. Maybe I’ll look into getting one.”

   “You really should. The doctors had me try braces like that for a little while but my injury is a bit too high for them to really work; this wheelchair is so much better. And the best part is I never have to worry about finding a seat.” Clara said, smiling at her own joke. “And anyway, my paralysis is progressing, I’m roughly a T6 right now but its been moving higher slowly and the doctors have no idea really why.”

   “That’s terrible!” Katie exclaimed. “I’m so sorry!”

   “Please don’t be. I don’t want sympathy.” Clara said firmly but with a smile to show she wasn’t angry. “It is what it is and I have to deal with it. Would you like to get lunch sometime? It would be nice to talk to someone who understands what I’m have to deal with.”

   “That would be great! I’d love to.” Katie answered.

   “How about tomorrow?” Clara asked.

   “Yes, tomorrow’s Friday and I only have a half day of classes so that would be perfect,” Katie said. They agreed when and where to meet as the train slowed to a stop.

   “Excellent. This is me, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Clara said, undoing the locks on her wheels and rolling herself off the train. She waved as the doors slide shut and Katie waved back. Katie was excited for her lunch date.

   The next day she met Clara at the restaurant. The hostess led them to a table and removed one of the chairs so Clara could roll her wheelchair up to the table. Katie undid her locks and lowered herself into the other chair.

   “I’m so happy to agreed to meet for lunch,” Clara said, smiling.

   “I’m just happy you asked,” Katie said, smiling back. The waitress came over and took their orders.

   “So, how you manage your bladder and bowel routines?” Clara asked.

   “Oh, um,” Katie blushed. “I, uh…”

   “I use intermittent catheters and have to do manual bowel evacuations.” Clara said.

   “Oh," Katie said. “I, uh, wear a Foley catheter and a leg bag but wear a diaper to catch any leaks. At night I wear a super absorbent night time diaper with a booster pad and just allow the Foley catheter to drain into it.”

   “It must be nice to never have to worry about finding a bathroom. I have to cath myself on a regular schedule and watch my liquid intake since I can’t feel the urge to urinate anymore and I don’t want to have my bladder overfill or have an accident. Your nighttime routine is interesting, I’ve never heard of someone doing that.” Clara said. “And what about your bowels?” This was so weird thought Katie but she didn’t want to leave her new friend hanging.

   “My girlfriend gives me enemas and helps massage my waste out since I can’t push anymore.” Katie said in a rush. This was the first time she had discussed anything about her current situation with someone other than Abby, and even though the topic was very odd, she was finding it refreshing to just be able to talk about it.

   “Boy, I wish I had someone to help be manage my bowels, it’s not easy to do myself and it’s only going to get harder. Hopefully I can get some in-home nursing help as my paralysis progresses.” Clara said, wistfully.

   “I’m sure it’ll all work out.” Katie said reassuringly. The waitress brought their meals and they ate and discussed paralyzed life. They finished and left the restaurant. As they parted they agreed to meet again.

   “It’s so nice have someone to talk to.” Clara said again.

   “It really is,” Katie said. She watched Clara wheel herself away smoothly and easily. She decided that that night she was going to ask Abby if she could start using a wheelchair.

   That evening as they were eating dinner Katie told Abby about her new friend and brought up getting a wheelchair.

   “Sure, you can have a wheelchair.” Abby said. “But on one condition.”

   “Uh, what’s the condition?” Katie said warily.

   “You have to get another paralysis shot.” Abby said.

   “You mean stay paralyzed longer?” Katie asked.

   “I wasn’t finished. It also has to be higher. How high is your new friend’s paralysis?” Abby asked.

   “She’s a T6 but she has a condition that is causing it to slowly moving higher.” Katie answered.

   “I think that would be the perfect level actually. If you agree to getting a shot at your T6 you can take off your braces and get a nice little manual wheelchair. And as bonus you can even remove your chastity belt since you definitely won’t have even a hint of feeling between your legs with that level of paralysis.” Abby said.

   Katie thought for a minute. She really wanted to try using a wheelchair instead of her bulky HKAFO braces. Watching Clara had made it look so easy to get around. She took a breath.

   “Okay, let’s do it,” She said in a rush. “I really want a wheelchair.”

   “Awesome!” Abby said, smiling. “Since tomorrow is Saturday we can go shopping for a new wheelchair for you and then come home and you can get your shot.”

   As Katie lay in bed that night she thought about how weird it was to be excited that tomorrow she would have to start using a wheelchair to get around. It was just because she would be rid of her braces and her chastity belt. Surely that was it, wasn’t it?

   The next day, Abby and Katie were waiting at the medical supply store when it opened.

   “Good morning, how can I help you today?” Asked the salesman as he held the door open for them after unlocking it.

   “My girlfriend is tired of having to use her braces and crutches to get around,” Abby said, gesturing at Katie.

   “So I assume she’s looking for a new wheelchair then?” the salesman asked.

   “Yes, a lightweight, sporty one.” Katie said. “It will be so much easier to get around with wheels rather than these ungainly braces and crutches.”

   “I think we can definitely accommodate you,” said the salesman, smiling. “Let me show you some options.” He led them to a selection of wheelchairs and began explaining the differences. Katie had no idea there were so many kinds and options in wheelchairs. She was learning about a whole new world. The salesman had Katie try out a few and she eventually decided on a Quickie 7rs in purple, one of the fanciest and most expensive models. The salesman helped her decide on the multitude of options for her wheelchair and helped get it all set up and adjusted to her body. Once it was ready for her she removed her braces and transferred herself into her new wheelchair. She bent down and secured the strap over her ankles to hold her legs onto the legrests so they wouldn’t drag. She wheeled herself around the store a bit. Having the wheelchair perfectly adjusted to her made it very easy to maneuver and, what little she could feel of it, comfortable. She and Abby completed their purchase and returned to the street. Abby was carrying her braces and crutches. Katie was very pleased with her new wheelchair. It was so much easier than her braces.

   “Well, let’s get home and get you more paralyzed.” Abby said. “Shall we?”

   “You held up your side of the agreement and let me get a wheelchair so I guess I have to don’t I?” Katie said. They headed home. When they arrived home Abby directed Katie to transfer herself onto the couch and lay face down. She left for a moment and returned with a small case, a disposable pad, a fresh diaper and some wipes. She set everything on the coffee table and opened the case and took out a small medicine bottle and a syringe. Katie watched as Abby drew a measured dose into the syringe and lay it down. Abby tore open an alcohol wipe and scrubbed Katie’s back. She picked up a marker and counted up Katie’s spin. Katie felt the tip of the marker make a dot on her back and knew that was where the needle would enter her spine.

   “Ready?” Abby said, picking up the syringe. “You can just say no and stick with your braces if you’re having second thoughts.”

   “No, I want to start using my wheelchair. I’m tired of the braces. And besides, you said I could also get this chastity belt off.” Katie said.

   “Okay, here goes then.” Abby said. Katie felt the sharp sting of the needle entering her spine and then a burst of fire as the plunger was depressed. Very quickly however, the burning sensation began to fade and then was gone.

   “I wasn’t awake last time,” Katie said pointedly. “Is that it?”

   “Yes, you are now effectively a T6 paraplegic. You shouldn’t have any lose of upper body movement or feeling but may potentially have some loss of trunk control so you should probably use the waist belt on your wheelchair. And you definitely won’t have any feeling between your legs so would you like to take your chastity belt off now?” Abby asked.

   “Yes please,” Katie said. She turned herself over. It was a bit more of a struggle now that she’d completely lost control of her lower body. She worked her skirt down her legs with some difficulty revealing her diaper covering her chastity belt. The tube of her catheter trailed from under her diaper, which was slightly damp, to her leg bag which was maybe half full. Abby picked up the disposable pad and worked it under Katie’s hips. She unfastened Katie’s diaper and pulled it from under her, revealing Katie’s chastity belt. She clipped off Katie’s catheter tube and disconnected it from her leg bag. Reaching into her pocket, Abby withdrew the key. She inserted it into the lock and with a click it fell open. She unthreaded Katie’s catheter line from the hole in the crotch piece.

   “I think we should leave your catheter in for now. I’ll probably make you start using intermittent catheters but I’ll let you get used to your wheelchair first. Tonight we can also remove your anal plug. I’m not sure yet if we’ll stick with enemas or move to suppositories and manual evacuations to empty your bowels, maybe we’ll alternate. I do kinda like the way your belly looks distended with water like a cute little pregnant bump.” Abby said. Katie had been holding her arms away unconsciously while Abby worked between her legs. Abby noticed and smiled. “If you want you can go ahead and touch yourself before I put this new diaper on you. It’s not like you’ll be able to feel anything.”

   Katie’s hand immediately found its way between her legs and for the first time in many weeks Katie touched herself. She traced a finger along her labia but felt nothing. Moving her finger to her clitoris she rubbed at it lightly but again felt nothing. She slide her finger lower and felt where her catheter line exited her urethra. Her finger found its way to her vagina and inside, still nothing. She was completely numb between her legs, all of her sexual feeling gone. It was like she was touching another person. She sighed. At least the chastity belt and anal plug were gone and she could now use her wheelchair to get around.

   “Well thank you for the wheelchair at least.” Katie said. “I can put my own diaper though.” She found her catheter line again and reattached it to her leg bag. She unclipped it and some urine flowed into her leg bag. She thought about how Clara had lamented using intermittent catheters and didn’t relish the thought of having to find a bathroom regularly again when Abby started making her use them. It was just so easy to have a Foley catheter in and have her leg bag collect all her urine. She took the diaper from Abby and worked it under herself and taped it around her waist. She maneuvered her limp legs and worked her skirt back up. She got herself sitting and pulled her wheelchair close. She got a secure grip and then levered herself over into her chair. She picked up her limp legs, positioned them correctly and bent down to fasten the strap across her ankles.

   “You look great,” Abby said, smiling as she watched Katie get herself situated. “You should practice your transfers and maneuvering your wheelchair since this will be your life for awhile.”

   Katie began wheeling around their house. When she rolled into their bedroom she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She rolled in front of it to get a good look at herself. A young, attractive woman seated in a sleek wheelchair looked back at her. Katie could see her leg bag and just make out the outline of her diaper. This was really the first time she’d gotten a good look at her legs out of her braces. They really were looking thinner and and a bit flabby from disuse. Her legs were really beginning to atrophy. Oddly, she decided she liked how she looked. Katie continued her practice the rest of the day. She transferred in and out of her chair multiple times. She practiced emptying her leg bag. She found if she rolled up close to the toilet she could prop her leg up on it to get at her leg bag to detach it and empty it. She knew she could just hang it on the side of her wheelchair but it would be so embarrassing.

   That night after Katie transferred into bed, leaving her wheelchair parked close beside it, she lay thinking about what she’d gotten herself into. Being in a wheelchair was so much easier than crutching around in her cumbersome leg braces. Having her paralysis move a bit higher was really a small price to pay for how great her wheelchair was. Plus, even though she couldn’t feel anything between her legs at least her chastity belt was gone. She was so glad she’d met Clara. As she drifted off to sleep she thought how she couldn’t wait to show off her wheelchair to her new friend.