On the Bright Side: Chapters 29-39

I’m really worked up recounting all of this.

How am I supposed to fit in this circle? I didn’t really think I was claustrophobic, but now I’m doubting myself.

“I’m not sure there’s anything you’d be eligible for at this time. Is there something in particular you’re interested in taking? Do you know what you’re planning to major in?”

“You may find yourself needing to make adjustments when it comes to heat management and fatigue.”
“All right.” But what exactly does that entail?

Earlier, I thought they’d gone on a tangent about “crackers” until I realized what Madison had actually said was “jackets.”

But the steroids do seem to be curtailing this flare-up, as I regain sensation in my limbs and the numbness fades.

But feeling the weight of the diagnosis, I don’t even see the point now.

In the living room, Shay unrolls a large Deaf pride poster with splashes of bright colors and ASL iconography, and hangs it above the fireplace.

Stepping inside a void with minimalist white-and-gold decor, I find the floors immaculate.

But I’m not ready to talk about feelings, so I quickly segue to “So, how about chili?”

I scrunch up my lips, trying to bring levity to what’s an unavoidably serious statement.

“I’m toward the end of a relapse now. Then hopefully I’ll be in remission and kind of, I don’t know, be normal-ish? But bad symptoms could happen again at any time, except there’s these treatments that can try to prevent that. Though the treatments have some scary potential side effects that I’m just choosing to ignore because that’s too much to wrap my head around.”

“Hey, I’m Jackson,” I say, a little shy, not wanting to botch this introduction.

It’s the opposite of last time, when I seized the opportunity and met her frantically, unsure of how fleeting the moment would be.

He’s facing pressures to push through things and “overcome” his disability. That can take a tremendous mental toll.