The Healing Horse, Ch. 25, Scene 5: Magical Wisdom

photo of art deco dresser
In this scene, Karen brings her friends to her Mama’s bedroom, where they are awestruck by the image of themselves in a mirror. This is what the dresser looked like, but the reflection in the mirror is not what they saw.

(Image via Pinterest)

Scene 5: Magical Wisdom

Karen stopped outside Mama’s bedroom door.

“Close your eyes,” she said. “When I tell you to open, it will be like magic.”

“But I have to be able to see where I’m going,” Kimberly objected.

“No, you don’t. Just hold onto me while I push Tammy into Mama’s room. I’ll tell you when to look.”

“Okay. I trust you, Karen.”

“Me too,” added Tammy.

Karen slowly opened the door and pushed Tammy’s wheelchair until it was right in front of the dresser. Kimberly held tight to her waist. She could feel Kimberly’s breath on her neck.

“Okay! Open your eyes!”

“Magical,” Tammy sighed while trying to catch her breath. “It’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Kimberly spontaneously hugged Karen. “Oh yes,” she said. “The most beautiful.” She let go and stepped back.

Tammy was spellbound. Kitten stood behind her wheelchair, and Kimberly stood beside it. Before them stood a nineteen-thirties, burl walnut, Art Deco dressing table. Rather than conventional drawers on the sides and a table in the middle, it had columns on the sides with three large semicircular drawers topped by large flat surfaces to hold makeup, hairbrushes, and other beauty tools. In the middle, there was an open space so that one could lean forward toward the mirror that rose, gigantically, massively, shining back at them, round and bigger than all three girls. They stared, unblinking, into each other’s eyes reflected in the mirror.

As Karen and Kimberly stood silently, Tammy mumbled, then repeated more clearly, and then enunciated in a clear voice, “I wonder what it would be like to not have disabilities, to be able-bodied.”

Kimberly looked at Karen without speaking, her eyebrows raised. Kitten recalled what Pegasus had taught her and replied, “Why would you want that? My disabilities are important parts of my totality of me. They are who I am in many ways. I know the feeling of wanting a whole, perfect body, but nobody is perfect. A wise friend taught me that when I try for perfection, then I undermine my capabilities. We need to look at what we have, not at what we don’t have. We can all grow and improve in our own ways, but we will never become perfect. Besides, disabilities have a proud history. Think of Helen Keller and Franklin Delano Roosevelt! You and I stand proudly with them.”

Tammy said, “I understand, but haven’t you ever wondered what if? Sometimes, needing so much help drives me crazy. I don’t ever have any privacy. My mother has to do everything for me. I hate it!”

After thinking for a moment, Karen said, “Your mom doesn’t need to do everything for you. Speak up and tell her you want to try more by yourself. It’s not easy, but maybe she will understand. Anyway, who you are does not depend on what you look like or who dresses you. You’re a smart girl, and nothing can change that. Most people don’t have any disabilities at all, but they accomplish very little. But day by day, just like me, you can become proud of your disability because it is a beautiful part of the whole of you. Plus, I am your friend and will always be there for you. Nothing can ever get in the way of our friendship.”

Kimberly looked back and forth between Karen and Tammy with a solemn expression, her powder blue eyes wide with emotion. Her forehead wrinkled, and she did not speak.

Karen continued, “Kimberly, you don’t need to say anything. Being disabled is very frustrating. Sometimes it helps just to talk about it and to have someone listen.”

All three sighed and let the moment sink in.

Kimberly stepped between Tammy and Karen and the mirror.

“Who wants to try my lipstick?” she asked.

The spell of their image in the mirror was broken. Tammy was immediately restored to her friends. She was no longer hypnotized by either the mirror or by her mindset.

Karen and Tammy said, “You have lipstick? Where is it?”

“It’s at home,” Kimberly responded. “I can run home and get it if you like!”

“Yes, please, Kimberly!” both girls shrieked.

“I’ll be back in a jiff. It’ll only take a minute!”

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 25, Scene 4: Up the Brick Path

photo of curved brick path
In this scene, Karen meets her friend Tammy’s sister, an unhappy teenager who resents her disabled little sister.

(Image courtesy of Ken Chan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scene 4: Up the Brick Path

Kimberly’s long brown hair was parted in the middle and hung down her back. A breeze blew it as she crossed the street. She stopped by the driver’s side of the big, black station wagon and talked with someone inside.

The door opened, and Mrs. Beaumont got out. She was petite but had broad, powerful shoulders. She wore her hair up, like the lady she was and looked good in tan capris and a white button-up shirt with its tails hanging out. They shook hands, and Kimberly helped her drag a folded wheelchair out of the back. Mrs. Beaumont opened another door of the station wagon and pushed the chair close to it, so she could lift Tammy into it.

A tall, very heavy teenage girl climbed out of the station wagon, her eyes narrow, and her lips pursed in anger. She, too, wore tan capris and a white shirt with the tails out, and her brown hair was in a flip. She helped Mrs. Beaumont lift Tammy and pivot her into the chair. Tammy wore a matching outfit and had her hair in a flip, too.

They walked slowly up the curved brick path to the front door. The teenage girl smiled, but only with her lips.

“Mama! They’re here!” Karen shouted as she patted her hair, opened the door, and rushed down the steps to help.

“Hi, Tammy! Hi, Mrs. Beaumont! Hi, Kimberly! And you must be Sandy, Tammy’s big sister. Nice to meet you! Why don’t you guys come in?”

She helped pull Tammy’s wheelchair up the single step onto the porch, as Mama proudly watched.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Mrs. Beaumont left to run errands in her station wagon, and Mama retreated to the kitchen so the girls could play by themselves. Sandy followed Mama to the kitchen. She would do her homework but be available to help Tammy.

Karen said, “Tammy, this is my friend Kimberly from across the street. Even though we are the same age, she doesn’t have any disabilities so she goes to the neighborhood school. So, now you are getting to meet another girl without disabilities besides your sister! And Kimberly, this is Tammy who has lots of disabilities. She goes to my school and is my best friend, there, just like you’re my best after-school friend. Now, let’s go to Mama’s room so Tammy can see the beautiful Art Deco dresser, and we can play.”

Kimberly hugged Tammy, and Tammy smiled as Karen pushed her wheelchair down the hallway straight to Mama’s bedroom.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 25, Scene 5: Waiting for Tammy and Kimberly

phot of black chrysler new yorker station wagon
In this short scene, Karen watches as her friends arrive and feels reassured by her mother’s presence.

(Image courtesy of Pinterest.)

Scene 5: Waiting for Tammy and Kimberly

The week seemed to take forever, but now Tammy and Kimberly would arrive any minute.

Karen paced the living room and told herself, “Calm down, Kitten. It’s exciting that Tammy and Kimberly are finally going to meet, but you need to take some deep breaths and stay cool.”

She took a deep breath and peeked through the sheer curtains on the dining room window. Kimberly was starting to cross the street from her house, just as a brand new, black Chrysler New Yorker station wagon pulled into their driveway. She knew this must be Tammy and her mother.

She heard Mama rattling pots and pans in the kitchen and smelled fresh coffee brewing.

“Mama,” she called. “They’re here!”

She felt Mama’s warm hands on her shoulders and glanced around to see her mother dressed in Capris and a loose shirt, just like her.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 25, Scene 2: Tammy Wants a Play Date

image of school bus icon

As Mama was hoping, Karen comes home from school and asks for a play date with Tammy.

(Image courtesy of DuckFiles, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scene 2: Tammy Wants a Play Date

A few minutes later, Karen hopped down from the school bus in front of her house. After stopping to pet Pegasus, she ran inside.

“Mama! Guess what Tammy and I were talking about on the ride home today!”

Mama hugged her and replied, “I don’t know, my Krana Layala. You’re going to have to tell me.”

“Tammy wants to visit me after school! And I can invite Kimberly from across the street. Tammy’s dying to meet kids that aren’t disabled. Her sister’s the only one she knows. And Kimberly’s not disabled, but she wants to meet more disabled kids than just me. Is that okay, Mama? Please?”

“Sure, honey!” Mama answered with a big smile. “When would you like them to come?”

“Maybe next week, if that’s all right with you?”

“That’s fine, Kitten. Just make sure Pegasus is at the ranch when your friends come to visit. I’m sure they would enjoy him, but maybe we can save that for another time. He’s still a little bit of a secret, especially his talking. Understand?”

“Yes, Mama, I sure do!”

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 25: Magical, Scene 1

image of apples in a basketThis scene opens Chapter 25: Magical, which explores the effects of friendship, art, and even makeup on young lives. Scene 1 sets the stage, as Tammy’s mom phones Karen’s to propose a play date for the girls.

(Image courtesy of Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scene 1: A Call from Patsy

The last day of January was warm and dry. When Mama arrived home from work, she left the windows of the car rolled down and thought she would relax outside. But then the phone rang inside the new house.

She hurried in and picked up the heavy, black receiver.

“Hello?” she said.

“Katie! It’s Patsy! Do you have a sec?”

It was Tammy’s mother. Patsy always talked fast and sounded excited. Mama sat down by the phone and kicked off her heels. Karen would not arrive home for thirty minutes, so this was a good time for some grown-up talk.

“How would you feel about Tammy coming over to play with Karen? It could work the other way, too, but I know the girls have been talking about your Art Deco dresser. You have one, right? It must be a beauty. My Tammy is crazy to see it, so I thought I should check with you and see what you thought. Great socialization. Build friendships. Even a little art appreciation. I don’t see how it could go wrong.”

“I think that would be splendid! Anything to encourage Karen to socialize more.”

“Well, she already is, isn’t she? Since the school got rid of that mean Mrs. Pinzetti and hired a qualified special ed teacher to help the kids with learning disabilities, Karen seems to have really perked up. At least she looks happier when I see her. Tammy, too!”

“Yes, you’re right, Karen’s really coming out of her shell. She’s been walking to the local grade school and playing tetherball with the children, there. They seem to accept her, and she’s made friends with several of them. And I know she and Tammy are close. She talks about Tammy all the time. I think it’d be wonderful if Tammy could come over for a visit.”

“That’s great! Tammy talks about Karen all the time too. I think Karen is the only real friend she has. Your daughter is so kind. She relates really well to people and understands everything Tammy says. It’s like she has wisdom beyond her years.”

“Thank you. She is wonderful, but of course, she’s my daughter, so what else would I say?”

The women laughed, and then Patsy said, “I need to go now. The bus is here with Tammy. Why don’t we see if the girls ask about visiting, and if they don’t then we bring it up? But I’d like them to take the initiative.”

Mama said, “You’re right. Let’s see if they will do it. Have a good evening, and talk to you soon.”

She hung up the phone. Outside the kitchen window, Pegasus was munching on the fresh apples Karen kept in a basket for him.

She swung open the window and said, “Six months. Six months since Karen walked to the pier and met you, Pegasus, and look at the changes in her life. This girl Tammy has become so important in my Kitten’s life, and her mother won’t reveal anything about her past. What happened to the father? Did he die, like my love, or did he abandon his family, when he realized that he was responsible for a child who would always need him? I wish Patsy would tell me, silly me who talks to horses.”

She closed the window and sat down to relax until Karen got home.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 24, Scene 11: Pegasus Predicts Karen’s Future

image of flowers with slogan be happy, be bright, be youIn the final scene of chapter 24, Karen gets a powerful insight into her purpose in life. After helping her Mama cook and clean up after dinner, thirteen-year-old Karen visits her spiritual mentor and begins to understand how far-reaching the consequences of her friendship with Tammy will be.

(Image courtesy of https://www.shutterstock.com/)

Scene 11: Pegasus Predicts Karen’s Future

The sun had long set when Karen turned on her flashlight and set out for the stables. She was sleepy, but she needed to hear what Pegasus would say about her conversation with Tammy. He was dozing in his stall when she arrived.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” she said, “but I need your advice. I ate lunch with Tammy, today, and she told me about what happened in her clinic. It was worse than what happened to me.”

She told him the details of how the experts tried to force Tammy to walk, of how her mother had cried before rescuing her from the eval, of how her father had abandoned the family because of her disabilities, of how her mother provided total care for her all by herself.

“Karen, you made a true friend in Tammy. She will be like a sister to you. You have had your Mama with you all your life because you were brave enough to live despite the shot and the coma. Last year, Joshua and I came into your life, when you found the courage to walk to the carousel and ride me. Now, you have been brave enough to share your problems with Tammy, and she has shared hers with you. She is your true friend. You now know that you are not alone in life. You are not a freak or a misfit. Other children have the same problems you do, but even worse. Life is difficult for you, but you and Tammy will change the world. You live in a world of people who think they are normal and don’t want to associate with anyone they label disabled, but you are going to change that. You are going to change their attitude and overthrow the rule of the evil experts. You are going to make this world a safe place for everyone with a disability.”

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 24, Scene 10: Karen Helps Mama

image of red valentine heartSometimes, when we learn to love and accept ourselves we can love others more than we knew we could. Love rises to a new level, and we find that acting from that place of love changes how we live. In this scene thirteen-year-old Karen takes a big step toward growing up into the kind, loving person she hopes to become by seeing her Mama’s love for her as something she can return.

(Image by Kurt Kaiser, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scene 10: Karen Helps Mama

When Karen got off the school bus, that afternoon, she did not hurry to visit Pegasus. She hurried into the house and found her Mama in the kitchen.

“Mama,” she asked, “can I help you fix dinner?”

“Yes, of course, my Krana Layala.”

“And can I help you clean up afterwards?”

“Sure, but why are you being so nice to me? Don’t you want to go for a ride on Pegasus?”

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll visit Pegasus after we clean up from dinner.”

“As long as you don’t stay out too late. But you still haven’t told me why you’re being so nice to me.”

“Because I know how much you do for me, Mama, and I want to be as kind to you as you are to me.”

Mama hugged her and they both cried for joy.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 24, Scene 9: Karen and Tammy Reflect on Their Human Value

image of alternative handicapped accessible sign

After the brutal clinic and eval, Karen turns to her friend, Tammy, for sympathy, but Tammy had an even worse experience at the hands of the experts. Nevertheless, they do not let this undermine their sense of self-worth.

(Image courtesy of The Accessible Icon Project, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scene 9: Karen and Tammy Reflect on Their Human Value

The next day, Kitten rolled Tammy’s wheelchair into the bustling lunchroom and took a seat beside her. She felt subdued after her ordeal the previous afternoon, and she wanted to talk about it with someone her own age.

“Tammy, you’ll never guess where I was yesterday.”

Tammy answered by giggling, “Disneyland!”

“No! I spent the day in clinic and eval!”

“Oh, no!” Tammy groaned. Then she asked, “Could you please help feed me?”

In between taking bites for herself, Kitten helped Tammy eat and tried to think of a way of telling her about what had happened the day before.

After a few minutes, Tammy said, “Karen, I can tell something’s really bothering you. Could you tell me what it is? Is it the clinic and eval?”

Karen told Tammy about her fear during the morning, about the horrors of the clinic, about Mama rescuing her, about what she overheard in the ladies’ room, and about the terrible evaluation in the afternoon. She even said a little about visiting Pegasus, but she kept his talking a secret.

Tammy then revealed what happened during her own clinic.

“Kitten, these experts have no idea what it’s like to be disabled. They’ve been able to use their limbs all their lives to do exactly what they want, and they don’t have any sympathy for us.

“When I was in clinic, the day before yesterday, they stripped me naked, except for my braces and underwear, and then they locked my leg braces at the knee and tried to make me walk. Dr. Lambert made Mrs. Pinzetti stand behind me. She held me around my torso brace and pushed my feet forward with her feet. On the one hand, they insist that brain damage is permanent, but then they say this is going to make my brain repair itself. They know my knees won’t straighten out, and my legs can’t bear weight. Besides, I don’t have any control over them. They flail about when I’m upright, just like when I’m in my chair. I was terrified that, with my legs and feet flying around, Mrs. Pinzetti would drop me. I almost cried, but then I looked over at Mommy, and she was already crying!

“I was so upset, I started screaming and told them all off. I told Mrs. Pinzetti that I thought she was a cruel woman who enjoyed hurting children, and that was why she had become a PT. And I told Dr. Lambert that I knew he just wanted to collect fees for unnecessary surgeries. I really let them have it. Finally, Mommy made them put me back into my chair and took me home.

“They’re like a pack of wolves! They surround you. The alpha wolf chews off the best piece of meat for himself, and then the others tear you apart. Dr. Lambert is the leader with his MD and PhD. He uses his surgeries to cut off parts for himself. That’s how he makes money. And then the others take whatever’s left and divide it among themselves.

“I see how tired my mother is every morning, when she wakes me up. She spends forty minutes just putting on my braces. Then she dresses me, feeds me, cleans my teeth, and brushes my hair—all before she has time for her own cup of coffee. Did you know that my daddy abandoned my mother to raise me and Sandy when he found out I was paralyzed? With my father gone, I wonder who will take care of me if Mommy can’t. That’s what really worries me. I don’t want to kill my mother taking care of me, and then end up in an institution, anyway.

Karen touched Tammy’s shoulder in sympathy, as her friend’s feet began beating on her footrests. Tammy’s words had taken Karen out of her trance of negativity. They had reached into Karen’s heart and enlightened her.

“Tammy, my daddy isn’t with us, either. He died in a car crash when I was a baby, so my mother has carried the burden of raising me all alone. I don’t know which would be worse, to be abandoned or to lose your husband to death. People don’t understand how hard it is to raise a child alone, much less to raise a handicapped child alone. It hurts me, when I see Mama doing everything she does to help me with my learning disability and my physical needs. I try to make it easier for her by being good. She works too hard. She never has a moment’s rest. I can see it in her eyes.

“Last night, she had to help me with my bath. I was exhausted from the clinic and eval. She looked furious, and I asked if she were angry with me. Of course, she denied it, but I knew that if I were not disabled, then life would be much easier for her. Every morning, no matter how tired she is, she puts my hair into a ponytail, ties my shoes, zips my zippers, buttons my cuffs and makes me a full breakfast, so I’ll have the strength to get through the day. But at night, I overhear her crying on the phone when she talks to her friends from the PTA. She’s so frustrated and upset that she can’t make me better. Mama would give her right arm to make me well, again. She can’t get over her feeling of guilt for giving me the DPT shot. During the day, she’s always smiling and never mentions it, but I know inside she feels as if she committed a crime and that my condition is her fault.”

“Tammy, who you are, and your worth, have absolutely nothing to do with what you need. The experts don’t see you as a person, but I do. You don’t have to earn the right to exist.”

Tammy sat up straight in her chair. For a moment, her limbs became absolutely still as she took a long, slow breath. This was a moment of enlightenment, a moment of illumination, as she glowed with an inner light.

For a moment, they were both silent. Karen knew that the idea she had just voiced was the most important idea she would ever have. She and Tammy were humans with disabilities. Their needs did not define them or reduce their worth.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.

 

Tips on How to Run a Successful Business, Even if You’re Disabled, by Jillian Day

[Editor’s note: Jillian Day created 508Assist.org to help people all across the web make their sites accessible to individuals with disabilities. She was inspired to start 508Assist.org when a close family member, who happens to have a visual impairment, had trouble finding a dinner recipe online that he could read easily. When she’s not chasing after her little ones, Jillian enjoys being outside, whether she’s fishing, hiking, or geocaching with her family.]

Tips on How to Run a Successful Business, Even if You’re Disabled, by Jillian Day

Starting a business can be one of the most challenging things you can take on in life. After all, you’re never guaranteed success, no matter how much effort you put into it. And if you’re disabled, you may face challenges that make getting your new business off the ground seem unlikely. However, that’s not to say it’s impossible. So here are some helpful tips to help you move forward on your entrepreneurial journey.

Get the right funding.

This is, perhaps, the most challenging step for business owners with limited capital. However, concerning as it may be, there are many avenues that you can explore to get the funding you need. You may even be eligible for business grants specifically for people with disabilities.

Find business opportunities that suit your needs.

If you are undecided about which industry you should go into, it’s better to start with the most straightforward ideas first. There are many businesses you can operate from the comfort of your home, instead of finding work where the environment may not suit your needs. For example, pet sitting, tutoring, freelancing, and virtual assistant work are just a few of the businesses you can do from home.

Create a business plan

Once you’ve decided on what you want to do, it’s always a good idea to start with a business plan, so you know where you’re headed. Of course, you’ll need to create a solid marketing plan to ensure your business gets the visibility it deserves. As part of your marketing strategy, your business needs a stellar-looking website. This job is best left to the professionals, such as the experienced web designers at Electric Silk. If you would like to try your hand at creating interesting infographics for your website, then by using free infographic templates you can choose from a range of templates and then add the colors, text, and background elements of your choice.

Take care of your own needs in the process.

If you’re living with a disability that requires you to get sufficient rest every day, you’ll also need to consider your personal needs. Again, it’s more about paying attention to what you need to function at your best, regardless of your situation in life. Then, when you’ve done what is necessary to feel better within yourself, you’re sure to become an even better business owner because you’ve taken the rest and space your body and mind require.

Lean on the advice and support of others

Many new owners rely on the advice and support of a trusted mentor to help guide them forward. Besides this, it’s a good idea to have someone you can confide in during times of discouragement, so you don’t end up quitting before you’ve even begun!

You may put off starting a business if you feel that you’re already at a disadvantage. However, it’s important to remember that the world needs your unique talents and ideas just as much as the next person’s. So, while your journey might look a bit different from the average Joe’s, you can still achieve your business dreams with the right resources and assistance to help you along in the difficult times.

Visit the Whispers of Hope website to get all the support, encouragement, and guidance to push on despite the obstacles you may be facing.

Image via Pexels

The Healing Horse, Ch. 24, Scenes 7 & 8: Two Brilliant Insights

image of blue sky at dawnI combined these two scenes because they are so short, and because they add up to an important message that every child with a disability needs to hear: find your own wisdom, and do not expect so-called experts to understand that you are growing up. Many of them will pigeonhole you as a helpless child, even though you are not. They cannot see past their ableism.

(Image courtesy of See page for author, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Scenes 7 & 8: Two Brilliant Insights

Mama parked in the driveway, and Karen followed her into the house.

“You should rest, now, my Krana Layala. You’ve been through a lot today.”

“I know, Mama, but I keep thinking about the experts and how they want to limit me. I need help understanding what happened.”

“You know as much or more as I do, my girl. Maybe you should take a walk and let your thoughts settle.”

They hugged, and Kitten headed for the stables. She needed to find her own wisdom, and she needed to talk with Pegasus.

 

At the stables, Pegasus asked, “Did you have that meeting?”

“Yes, and they looked at my whole being as if I were something of no value.”

“They don’t know what value is, do they? Nor do they have any insight into the repercussions this will have later in your life.”

“You’re right. They see me as a thing, not as a growing person. You would think that, with their education, they would have some compassion for people with disabilities. Instead, they have no respect at all for us and cannot imagine that someday we will grow up and need to care for ourselves.”

Pegasus replied, “Compassion is a trait that can be developed, but it isn’t something that a person learns from a book. It certainly isn’t part of what the experts learn. You don’t need experts who want to pigeonhole you. You need adults who can guide you.”

She felt her intuition light up. “You’re right, Pegasus. That’s exactly what the problem is. And it’s the same for every kid with a disability. The experts cannot imagine us growing into functioning adults. They think we’ll stay babies forever.”

They parted, and as she walked home, she looked up into the clear, blue sky, and said to herself, My potential is as unlimited as the sky, and I am on my way to fulfilling it. I will not let any phony experts stand in my way.

Original text ©2022 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.