His foot would then slap down hard, toes turning inward. With each step his body swayed left or right, pitched forward or slipped backwards. Only his mother’s firm grip on his outstretched arms kept him standing upright.
“There we go, lift those toesies, get them up and set them down,” she directed. “Very good Bri! You’re making walkies just like a big boy! Mama is so proud!”
As she praised him Brian felt an odd sense of accomplishment. Sure it was silly to be proud of something so basic, but given the problems with his body this was an achievement. He found himself beginning to smile, even to giggle with giddy pride. Mama led him all across the room and he didn’t fall down! That made him feel so big, walking just like mama! For a second it didn’t even to occur to him how ridiculous that thought was.
