cover
Indoors at a beanbag toss station, Fia stands tugging her left sleeve and frowning while Katie kneels beside her with an encouraging smile; Toby the black cat with white paws sits at their feet, tail curled.
Fia tugged her left sleeve and frowned. "I can’t do the beanbag toss," she whispered. "I wish I were normal." Katie smiled, "You’re you; that’s normal." Toby purred as Fia breathed deep.
Indoors at the beanbag toss station, Fia releases a beanbag with her left hand mid-throw and laughs; Katie watches proudly behind her, while Toby nudges another beanbag on the floor.
Fia steadied her feet; because of hemiplegia, her right hand rested tight. "Aim with your eyes," Katie said. Toby nudged a beanbag. Fia swung lefty, whoosh—thunk! "I did it!" she laughed.
Indoors at a paint-splattered craft table, Fia grips a chunky brush in her left hand, focusing on bright strokes; Katie points to the paper encouragingly, and Toby’s small pawprint dries beside vibrant colors.
Later, painting looked tricky. "My brush wiggles," Fia muttered. "Try the chunky one," Katie offered. Toby left a tiny pawprint. Giggling, Fia held the thick handle, guided her strokes, and bright colors bloomed.
Outside on the pavement, Fia crouches drawing a chalk sun and grinning widely; Katie kneels nearby with a supportive smile, while Toby boops her left hand with his nose.
Outside, chalk waited. "What if I mess up?" Fia asked. "You’re you, and that’s awesome," Katie said. Fia drew a sun, grinning. "I can do it too!" Toby booped her left hand.