"my sister's the crippled girl?"

In the same way Sonny was surprised to learn that his kid was "the smelly kid" in class, Sis was embarrassed to learn that I was "the crippled girl" on our cruise.
Against my doctor's advice, I went on my family's cruise #2. As we drove to the cruise ship, I kept my still swollen foot elevated the entire trip. My parents decided to rent me a wheelchair- securing the feeling that I might just look like a genuine drama queen.
In the morning as we loaded the ship, I was wheeled through the "special" handicap security line. Not wanting to set off the machine, I hopped through the metal dector, then sat back in my wheelchair. Now even though I couldn't walk, being handicapped did have some advantages. For example, my family didn't have to stand in the very long check-in line. No, we got to go through the "special" handicap check-in. There I sat, noticing the sympathetic looks from the passengers waiting in the long, regular check-in line.
Once in our cabin, I quickly realized what a pain it is being on crutches and having a wheelchair taking up the already small space. I had to hop up into the bathroom, desperately trying not to lose my balance. I had to inch my way into the hallway to get into the wheelchair. Luckily, we were moved to a bigger room which was gave more maneuver room and storage for the wheelchair. Overall, being temporarily handicapped was an enlightening experience. Throughout the trip I found myself very annoyed by the lazy people using the elevator to go up or down one level, leaving no room for me in my wheelchair. Trust me, I would have been going up and down the stairs. But it is hard in a wheelchair or on crutches. So I often found myself waiting on elevators. And then there were the bathrooms. Don't put the handicap sign on the door if there is, in fact, no handicap stall. I was wheeled into there, then had to hop into the stall. But sometimes I couldn't even get in the door. Some people just couldn't be bothered to hold it open for me.
Now, I know that it sounds like I'm complaining. There were in fact many very nice people. In fact, I found that I probably got a lot more attention and even caught some people's attention due to the mere fact that I was in a wheelchair. For example, on Sunday I had to attend the mandatory muster drill. I was wheeled out to the deck. There I sat wearing my orange life vest, drinking a beer. Up until the point when a guy on staff came and took away my beer. I later learned that he not only noticed the fact that I was drinking a beer- which is not allowed during the muster drill, but he also noticed that I am much too cute to be a crippled girl in a wheelchair. Then there were the waiters who fought for the privilege of wheeling me to my table. And of course, my casino friends who made sure I had a seat at a table as well as a chair to elevate my foot. They even stored my crutches for me.
My crippledness gained me nicknames from a variety of people. Sis called me "crutchie." My favorite casino dealers remembering that I was wheel-less the first cruise, took to calling me "wheels" on this cruise. And of course, my dad affectionately called me "the drama queen." But my favorite was "hottie". Okay, not necessarily related to the fact that I couldn't walk, but my favorite nonetheless.
I am happy to report that I wasn't actually a crippled girl the entire cruise. As my foot finally began to get better, I slowly discontinued using the wheelchair. Sis was grateful since she had pushing duty and was soon complaining that her calves hurt as a result. By Tuesday I was just using my crutches. After a small set back on Tuesday afternoon (passing out in an elevator), I was back in my wheelchair on Wednesday. But Thursday was the first day that I could actually stand on my left foot. Finally...no more flamingo standing in the shower. I crutched myself out to the pool that day, then walked around with the crutches in my hand. I looked like a big faker. Friday I was managing without crutches, but simply a slow, steady hobble. But by the final day of the cruise, I was able to walk in heels and with style.
Now that I'm home and looking at my foot, I'm hoping I didn't make another "fashion before comfort" mistake. My foot is a little sore and still slightly swollen. I no longer have the wheelchair, but I still do have the crutches...
I hope I don't have to use them. I'm not ready to be the "cute crippled girl" again. Even if it did get me lots of flattering attention.

Picture was provided courtesy of my good friend, jc.