Not that you have anything against disabled people, but having met Laura a couple of times before, you know she's a girl with cerebral palsy. There isn't anything mentally wrong with her, but she does talk a bit funny and has to use a wheelchair. She doesn't attend mainstream school as she'd struggle to move around in a classroom, or even get to the toilets, never mind change for PE or anything like that. The school were prepared to make accommodations, but Laura's mother eventually decided she'd be better off provided for at home. Your only issue is that you're not sure you need the same kind of special provisions as Laura might, and it makes you a bit uncomfortable to put yourself in that same category, but you guess rationally speaking she's going to be doing the same kind of actual schoolwork as you, and at the same kind of level.
"Well, I know Laura's mother has been looking for some learning partners for her for some time," your mother nods appreciatively, "so I imagine they'd jump at the chance to have you along for some sessions."
"I guess," you murmur, trying to be open minded. "I don't really know Laura, so..."
"I think you'll find she's quite chatty and friendly, if you can get past her disability," your mother smiles. "I imagine the two of you will become friends quite quickly."
She's already picking up the phone to call Laura's mother, so it looks like you're committed now.
As expected, Laura's mother jumps at the chance to have a 'friend' over to learn with Laura, so the very next day finds you packed off to Laura's house. Even the front door is a little intimidating, with a custom wheelchair ramp and handrail, and an oversized front door to fit Laura's wheelchair. Laura herself is the one to open the door, however, backing up her wheelchair with expert skill and greeting you with an eager smile before you're even half way up the pathway.
"Hey," she drawls. "You're Daniel, aren't you? Nice to meet you."
Her speech is kind of slurred and a little slow, but quite easy to make out, and with a certain kind of distinctive charm and cheerfulness of its own, and by the time she's ushering you inside you're already feeling a little reassured. Clearly it's not just Laura's mum who's keen to have you here, as Laura seems to have dressed up to the occasion in a fancy blue dress. Well, you suppose her mother must have helped her put that on, but surely by Laura's own preference.
"Nice to meet you too," you murmur politely, slipping off your shoes in the doorway and stepping inside onto the wheelchair-friendly polished floors.
"Mum's in the living room," Laura leads the way with an electric whirr. "It's so great to have you here. We're going to have fun."
The overexhuberance might be irritating in someone else, but you do find yourself warming to Laura quickly. She's the kind of person who seems to make it quite easy to see the person and not the wheelchair, and so any prejudice you might have had is already being left behind before you've even exchanged a handful of words.
"I hope so," you acknowledge warmly, your nervousness fading quickly.
Laura's mother greets you with similar warmth, and the two of you get down to work almost straight away. The first lesson is English, and you work together on writing a funny play, which soon has both of you laughing as you take on opposing roles. This was definitely the right decision, you soon decide, as the rapport between the two of you builds rapidly. Laura's mother seems very pleased too. Time passes quickly, and before you know it, Laura's mother announces it's time for a break.
"I'll go and get some drinks together for you two champs," she heads out of the room, "and maybe some biscuits too, since you've done so well this morning."
For the first time, a silence descends for a few moments as you and Laura are left alone together, and suddenly you find you're not too sure what to say. Laura fidgets slightly in her chair before looking up to you and announcing unselfconsciously,
"Oh boy, I really gotta pee."
"Ah, okay," you look around, a little less comfortable with this level of disclosure than Laura apparently is, and reminded for the first time that you're facing someone sitting in a wheelchair. "So, uh... do you want me to fetch your mum, or something?"
Laura grins shamelessly,
"No need. The advantage of wearing a diaper: I can go right here."
"Oh, right," you blush. You wouldn't have realised she wore diapers alongside everything else, if she hadn't just plainly announced the fact.
"Mum can always tell from my face, though," Laura explains. "So I might as well say something, before..."
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