Part II: Straining to Progress, as Family Challenges Mount

And yet there were also clients like Patrick Ivison and Isa Takunori, who had started taking steps — with assistance, admittedly — much sooner. Patrick, a 12-year-old whom everyone called "Little P," had managed his first steps only about a year and a half into his therapy.

Both were participating for the first time in the fall Steps to Recovery fundraiser — the Super Bowl of Project Walk, where the successful ones make their public walking debuts before astonished family and friends.

Marci had hoped John would be one of them, that he would show their mothers, their kids — perhaps, even, some of the doubters — that the seemingly quixotic dream they were chasing could come true. But that, she now knew, would have to wait.

The day of the fundraiser, the first-timers lined up at the back of the workout room, wheelchairs abandoned for rolling walkers. Ted Dardzinski introduced the lineup and then, "Ready? ... Go!"

Isa and Patrick grasped the handlebars of their walkers and inched forward, sneakers scooting in a slow-motion miracle across the carpet. Little P's face contorted with the effort of each step.

In his wheelchair, John stared at his two friends — at their legs, really.

He evaluated every bend of the knee, the strength of their hips. Sure, they had help: Four Project Walk trainers surrounded Patrick. Another three assisted Isa. But still ...

"Way to go, Isa!" John cried. "Out the front door!"

The packed audience whooped and cheered. Some shook their heads in disbelief. Marci was in tears.

This was what fed John and Marci's faith: proof that the payoff can come.

Little P managed 30 steps before plopping down in his wheelchair, exhausted and elated. Then he rolled over to John. The spiky-haired kid had a challenge: "You're walking next year."

"You tell him, Patrick," Marci piped in.

John smiled. "I'd love to," he said.

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A few weeks later, not long before Christmas 2006, the Pous received John's six-month evaluation. He had strengthened his core, improved his balance and could finally hold himself in a kneeling position, with help.

And yet, on the 0-to-40 developmental activity scale, John had jumped just three points. He now scored a 7.

His trainers, nevertheless, believed he should continue at Project Walk. But John and Marci had more than scales and scores to consider.

The friend renting their house had lost her job and was behind on rent. The home's hot water heater broke. And most important, the kids were still struggling to adjust.

In prayers at dinner and bedtime, Chase and Kacie pleaded with God, "Please make Daddy happy and healed, and do good in Project Walk."

Then one day Chase came out of his room with his guitar to sing a song. He crooned:

"Oh where do I belong? Oh where do I belong? ...

"I look up at the sky and ask the Lord, oh Lord where do I belong?

"'Cause I just wanna go home ... I just wanna go home."

Marci knew: She and John would have to make some hard decisions about their family's future. And soon.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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