The Power of Testimony

SHAWN THORNTON || 29
“The doctors said you should crawl because it will help
you get your coordination and f lexibility back,” Connie said.
Bev looked at her wide-​ eyed, partially comprehending.
“Come on,” Connie coaxed. “Let’s get down on the f loor.”
Carefully and slowly they helped her to her knees, then
laid her f lat on her stomach. They got on either side of her,
took her same face-​down position, and began the exercise.
“Now pull your knees under you and push up with your
hands,” Connie said. Bev slowly followed their example with
moderate success. She seemed taxed to her limit. She awkwardly
pushed her chest a couple of inches off the ground.
“That’s good, Bevie!” Gail said as Bev sank back to the
f loor, unable to hold the pose or to complete the desired
movement. “Let’s do it again. This is fun!”
Gail enjoyed playing teacher in the mock schoolroom in
their basement, and now she was able to teach a real, live
pupil. Hopes of a full recovery filled everyone’s minds.
Bev rested a moment, then tried to push herself up again.
This time she got farther.
“Good, Bevie!” Connie said. “Now let’s crawl forward,
just one step.”
“I . . . can do . . . this,” Bev said. To their relief, the
scratchy, deep voice had gradually gone away. But her speaking
cadence still sounded off, as if she were drugged. Gail
reached over to move Bev’s free arm forward.
“Don’t . . . help . . . me! I . . . can do . . . this,” Bev said
gruff ly.
She seemed upset, humiliated. Older than both Connie
and Gail, she was now groveling painfully on the f loor. Her