Page 42 of Shocking Sapphires
When I splayed my hands to indicate the cordoned off section for attendees with disabilities, the crowd applauded and released a few high-pitched whistles.
After the noise died down, I said, “You know, I never gave much thought to what it’s really like to be in a wheelchair, until I was forced into one myself. It presents some logistical challenges that most people never realize.”
My gaze zeroed in on Molly as she beamed up at me. I knew she was going to be surprised to see so many people she’d grown up with on this stage.
“They always say not to judge a man, until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Well, I’d like to amend that walking line to rolling a mile in his chair.”
Right on cue, the red velvet curtain swept open to reveal Max Malone, Alex Biggs, Dean Waters, and Levi Ryan lined up behind me and sitting in wheelchairs of their own.
The crowd tittered at seeing several local favorites on the stage.
“These men have seen first-hand what it is like to be confined to a chair because while we were at practice, I wouldn’t let them stand up for anything. When they weren’t able to reach the cups in a high cabinet, couldn’t get where they wanted to go without facing stairs, or needed to go through a door that wasn’t automatic, I made them figure it out.”
“They all commented how shocked they were by the level of difficulty in just moving around and doing ordinary things in a wheelchair, and we only practiced for two hours a day. The true heroes here tonight are these wonderful people right up front, who face these kinds of challenges day in and day out, without complaint.”
Sweeping my hands out to encompass the front rows, I said, “Let’s give them a round of applause.”
The crowd quickly complied… clapping, cheering, and hollering.
Once the noise died down, I pointed to each of the wheelchair-bound individuals and said, “This dance is dedicated to you.”
After I replaced the mic and took my place on the stage, “Proud Mary” began playing over the sound system, and the audience went wild.
By the time we hit the chorus of the song, the entire crowd had joined in the fun by singing, clapping, and dancing.
We circled our chairs around the stage as Tina Turner’s energetic voice sang, “Big wheels keep on turnin’. Proud Mary keep on burnin’.”
Our group quickly turned so that our chairs faced the inside of the circle, then we raised and lowered our hands as Tina chanted, “Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.”
Quickly picking up on the rhythm, the crowd began raising and lowering their arms along with us. It was a warm, heartfelt moment of community and harmony.
The upbeat, fast choreography had each of us on the stage breathing hard by the end of the song, even though we’d only been using our arms to propel us around.
The other men smiled widely as they watched their families, friends, and acquaintances cheer wildly for their performance. I was thrilled for them that our routine had been a success, but this was just the beginning of tonight’s monumental events for me.
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Grant
When the cheers finally began to die down, I said, into the mic, “Weren’t they great?”
This question was met with more whoops and hollers. “We brought you out here tonight in part because we are trying to raise money to make sure safe, wide paths and ramps are made available, so people in wheelchairs are able to access all of the gorgeous local landmarks and points of interest that make this pristine location unforgettable.”
“The fund has been seeded with a hundred-thousand-dollar donation from an anonymous donor,” I paused to wink at Molly. I didn’t want to brag about my gift to the fund, but I also didn’t want to keep any secrets from her.
“All of the local heroes you saw performing up here onstage tonight have made generous donations as well, after seeing first-hand how difficult it can be. If you are able to, please drop a donation into one of the collection bins on your way out. Every penny counts, and I will personally make sure the money is put to good use.”
Quickly moving on, I said, “Now, enough about that… You were promised a movie––not a night watching goofy, old codgers try to dance in wheelchairs.”
After the chuckles subsided, I said, “If we do this again, I’ll probably finagle it so we watch one of my films, but tonight we are watching the love of my life’s favorite animated classic,The Tiny Mermaid, with a few minor modifications.”
Several people clapped and murmured as the stage lights were adjusted down and the opening to the movie started.
I made my way off the stage and approached the area where Molly was seated with the few girlfriends that she had invited to join her in the primo seating area.
“Bonnie took Scout back to the inn to put him to bed. The poor little guy couldn’t keep his eyes open,” she whispered near my ear when I arranged my chair right next to her lawn chair.
I nodded, since I had assumed that was where he was.
