For the next year, Alex, that's me, continued his studies. In case you missed the first part, I had lost my parents in a car accident, and lost my left leg too and went to live with my Mom's best friend and their family. I guess I got over my leg, its not so difficult, and the physical part's easy, but I've never fully gotten over losing my parents and if I'm frank, there's some pain at losing my leg in there too. Not physical pain, my stump feels great, its mental pain. I've never thought of myself as an orphan, but I must be. A one legged orphan. I get around on crutches very well, don't have an artificial leg, don't want one, although it has been suggested sometimes. Maybe in the future.

Without wanting to brag, I was a good student and did well. I've never been the life of the party, hoped the interesting guy in the corner was more me.

Computers always attracted me, so when Mr O'Leary mentioned a friend of his with the best computer store in town wanted some help on Saturdays, I jumped at the chance, maybe I hopped at the chance. Every Saturday, I put on my dark pants and a white polo shirt and rode my bike into town to help families select a PC and peripherals - printers, scanners, wireless, helped them with setup problems. It broadened my knowledge, let me meet lots of people - and I didn't need two legs to do it. To be analytical for a moment, it marked a change in my attitude to losing my leg. I could see that anything I wanted I could do, and no one cared that the young sales guy in the store used crutches or had one leg; I had knowledge which would help them. So I stopped being sensitive about it, sort of forgot I was a one legged guy and just became a guy who used crutches.

That bike! Did I love that bike! When Mr O'Leary was getting a new one for Paul and Lucy he naturally bought me one too. I was apprehensive about riding the first time and thought I would fall off. Paul held the bike as I adjusted for my balance and rode a few yards, then he let go. I was free and I didn't fall off. My leg had to work harder, not just pushing down, but having to pull up too, with no left leg to push down for the other stroke. I had the pedal fitted with a toe clip which didn't catch my foot and removed the pedal for the left foot - I wasn't planning on using it any day soon. Paul and I joined the local bike club and went for group rides, we had races. While I usually didn't win, I was quite a mean rider though, the best of the one legged riders, all one of us. The gang of fit, athletic riders looked good in our figure hugging lycra bike gear. And I certainly noticed. It was very pleasant riding behind a slim hipped athletic guy dressed like that. I think I looked good too, my left leg was less filled than theirs, but more than well filled in the jock area nearby. Usually I left my crutches at home, they were a nuisance, so when we stopped for drinks or for a break I just hopped. That was me, they didn't take any notice. Passers by sometimes looked again. It was funny to see their faces when I hopped past all decked out in my bike gear.

I ended up getting myself some new crutches, the old ones hadn't worn out. It happened once when I was at the pool. I used to leave my crutches at the edge and collect them when I finished my laps. I remember my first time there with the school after losing my leg. I hated it, couldn't hide, couldn't hide my stump, couldn't hide that I was the only guy there with one leg. A thousand pairs of eyes were on me as I crutched along the pool to dive in. I wasn't worried about the swimming part, just really sensitive about my leg, or lack of it. After I dived in, I was right, just another swimmer. I guess everyone was watching me, one legged guys are not that common, and they were curious about what I looked like, my stump, how I managed in the water. At the pool I was most sensitive about losing my leg, I was more on display, couldn't hide me or my stump. So one day, I climbed from the pool and my crutches were gone. I looked and thought, maybe I left them at the other end. But I didn't and they weren't there. And the staff hadn't seen them. So I had to hop outside to my bike and rode home. They were my only crutches, so Mrs O'Leary immediately phoned her husband who came home from work fast. He was that type of guy. Imagine if he hadn't, and I had to hop everywhere all day. They were my legs. By this stage I had showered and changed, and hopped out to the car with him. Paul wanted to come too. I have to say, I don't mind hopping, at least it allows me to get around. We went to the local limb and appliance shop where they had a wide range of crutches. Instead of just getting me a pair like my old ones, Mr O'Leary asked the man behind the counter,

"Alex here needs some new crutches, what are your best model?"

"Do you like underarm or elbow crutches, sir?"

"My old ones were underarm, but I want to try elbow ones, see what they're like."

"A lot of our customers say Canadian Pattern are easier to walk with, especially stairs. But its personal, up to you."

"Decided. Elbow it is."

"Our best model here is made of titanium, super light and strong, with special shock absorbing tips to protect your wrists and shoulders. We have an adjustable one you can take now, or custom made. They are very sleek and streamlined and last much longer than the usual components, so save you money in the long run." I had never thought of boring crutches as being sleek and streamlined, they were just something to let me walk.

"Alex, try these out. They're your legs, you want good ones."

"But they're so expensive."

"Don't worry, you need them. Its important."

So I was measured up and fitted, and learned that crutches aren't just crutches, but lots of different types, and getting the adjustments right. We didn't get the custom made ones, I still had some growing to do. Common sense.

"Why don't we take a second pair? Some full length ones, axillary did you call them? That's what Alex is used to, so you have a choice." Mr O'Leary didn't ask me, he had decided. I was delighted, as I would have said no to save his wallet, even though I wanted them; he was spending a lot of money on me.

So I walked out on my brand new black lightweight hi tech crutches and Paul carried my other new ones to the car. It was going to be good having a choice which crutches I used, depending on my mood: the streamlined rocket powered elbow ones or the solid, reliable, shining axillary ones.

"Guys, I need to get back to the office. Now that Alex is mobile again, can you get yourselves home. There is an important meeting I can just make if I go now." Mr O'Leary had long since stopped feeling he had to drive me, knew I was as mobile as Paul.

"No trouble Dad," Paul said, "maybe we'll catch a movie. What do you think Alex?"

"Sounds good to me."

So we ambled past the shops. My new crutches were great, light, easy to walk with, good soft handgrips. A delight to walk with. I was pleased I had lost my old ones. I liked the way there was nothing to rub against my ribs just under my arms and the way I seemed to be able to walk more smoothly. While we waited at the door for the previous movie session to finish, I was surprised when Paul put his hand on my crutch and said,

"Can I try them out? This is cool, I could handle this, you can really swing your body along can't you." But he didn't decide to use them all the time. As a two legged guy he didn't have to.

School continued, last year flew, I worked hard, enjoyed it. Exams went well, I was usually near the top of my year, thanks to my parents I guess - having some brains I mean.

The weight lifting stayed on the agenda. I sensed that I was never going to make a top runner, or football star - I was lacking in that essential something! But in the gym, who needs so many legs? It helped keep me fit, and build up my physique too. Don Lane was still the trainer, and even though he is two legged, helped me with my technique for one leg. Concentrate on bench work, squats on the Smith machine to keep my balance. Except for squats, there weren't too many exercises I couldn't do - although I couldn't manage extensions and contractions for my left leg! To make up, I was excellent at the one leg exercises, and sat for some things. He continued the regular massage, I was the only one as far as I knew. I guess the school gave him a special approval, from what he said once. I stopped being embarrassed if I started going hard, just part of the excitement of youth, and ended up always stripping naked, the best way for a massage. I didn't discuss it with the others, they might have been jealous! On one occasion as he massaged my stump, starting with a soft kneading, then almost caressing it, "Alex, your stump is so beautiful. It has a smoothness, an even roundness that's quite perfect. When you lift it, it is like you're some higher developed being. Because you exercise, it is toned and muscular. I've never seen a stump so close before, or massaged one, and am surprised how good it looks and feels."

He'd never been this personal before, and never tried to come on to me, he was always professional. "Don, its just my stump, part of me, I didn't have any choice. I like it. It took me a while to think it looked good, let alone beautiful, but I find its OK. When I'm out, I notice people seem to be fixated on it sometimes, maybe they're admiring it. Having one leg is really not as bad as it looks." "Alex, you're a good looking guy, you look really good with one leg. I've heard my colleagues commenting. They think you are terrific. I know one of the women said she wished she were ten years younger. By the way, if you ever want a massage when you've left school, I can put you onto someone - me. You're a good subject." "Thanks Don, I find it has really helped me, my stump feels a lot better, less sensitive. I might take up your offer. I think I know who you mean, she's always so nice to me. I deliberately rest my stump on my crutch when I talk to her, I think it almost explodes her panties on the spot."

When a messenger, came to class one day, saying the Principal wanted to see me, I wondered why, what had I done? What did he want?

In the corridor, I tucked in my shirt, made sure my empty leg was pulled up against my stump, neatly folded up at the back, tried to tame my hair, adjusted my equipment, and crutched along the corridor with her.

The secretary knocked and opened the door to the cavernous office, filled with books on two walls, plain wooden desk and simple wooden chair, school photos on the walls, plain wooden floor. Simple but scholarly. She closed the door behind me. On crutches, I appreciated these little courtesies. The ogre was smiling broadly and greeted me with a warm handshake as he came forward.

"Alex, sit down, make yourself comfortable. I wanted to see you because I have some good news. You have been our star student. You went through that terrible time losing your family and your leg. We all feel you're very special in this school. We're really proud of you, you came through with flying colours. In fact," here I started to guess, but still wondered, " you've topped the final year, so that makes you Dux. It is well deserved, I am proud of you, young man."

"Thank you, Mr Richardson, I didn't expect this, I enjoy school, and always tried my hardest, and that's getting over my leg too. You were all so understanding and helpful, putting my classes on the ground floor. I really appreciated that. No one ever said anything, but I noticed."

"I'm glad you did my boy, it confirms what we think about you. Now we need to plan for our Presentation Night in a fortnight. You'll be given an award, and can say something too if you like. I just thought I would warn you."

"Thank you sir. I'm a little overwhelmed."

"Alex, on a personal note, you've shown that losing a leg doesn't end your life and aspirations. You've shown us that having one leg can be a positive experience, I think I'm right in saying that. I suspect some of the junior students, think you're a hero, but they'll get over it, your attitude is so positive, upbeat, that having one leg can be a good experience." he said brightly.

By this stage he had seen me to the door, "Being an amputee is not fun, but I make the best of it and still enjoy myself."

When I returned to my class, the teacher clearly knew, she was beaming, couldn't keep a straight face. Before I had time to sit, she looked at me and asked, "Have you any good news to share with your friends, Alex?"

'Not really, miss, lots of people have topped their year before me."

The class all stood up and came to pat me on the back. I hardly kept my balance and had to hop to stay upright before returning to my seat.

For Presentation night, they didn't call it Graduation, I wore my good suit, the empty leg tucked in at the back as usual, as I liked. I used my hi tech crutches. As well as liking their lightness I noted on another one legged man I saw, that axillary crutches when you wear a jacket, pull the back out of line, stretched between the crutches, and I liked to look my best. Everyone was there. They had me in the front row, which certainly made it easier. When my name was called, the hall erupted with full applause. As I climbed the stairs on my crutches, in my slow one legged way one at a time, I thought how easy it was when I had two legs and didn't think about bounding up. Now it was plant your foot, bring the crutches up, weight on them, foot to the next step, and repeat. Crutching across the stage I thought of my parents and how thrilled they would have been. But they were with me, I knew it that night.

The Principal said, "Alex Martelli, first in year 12, first in English, first in Math, first in Chemistry, first in German. An all round excellent performance." I was given a framed award and some books all bundled up, so when I fumbled carrying it with my crutches, everyone laughed when the head took it from me, it broke the ice, my nervousness. As I must have lifted my stump doing this, my tucked in pants leg came loose. So I walked to the podium with my empty leg hanging down, loose - which I hated, rested my crutches against the podium and held on, my leg shaking from nervousness. Now I needed two legs, for the first time. Before I started, I raised my stump and flipped my empty leg back into my waist. It really bugged me if my left leg wasn't pulled tight and in my waist, hated it flopping around empty. I felt better. Maybe I should have the empty legs cut off, no problem then. Somehow I was attached to them, made me more normal.

"Mr Richardson, teachers, parents and visitors, my friends in the school, I am overwhelmed. This is a great school, and without your help I could not be up here tonight. So thank you. Over the last few years I have changed a lot, I've grown, matured, and in case no one noticed, lost my leg." This drew a big chuckle from the students, I didn't want to be too serious. I didn't mention my parents, wanted to stay upbeat, I'm sure everyone thought it of though. "All of you helped me through my ordeal, and I think I am better and stronger for it, I appreciate being alive and healthy more than ever, it's a privilege we should not take for granted. I want to thank the O'Leary's for taking on a one legged waif, and letting me be myself, you helped me cry and grieve and learn new ways of doing things that you need when you've lost a leg, to get over it, discover my strengths without wrapping me in cotton wool. Anyone can do what I've done, so I want to say, learn from me, you don't have to lose a leg to be motivated and focused, do it with two legs. Its easier too."

To a thunderous applause, the head showed me to a seat on the stage. This was a big surprise.

When it came to more presentations, I was giving some. I, Alex Martelli, one legged schoolboy, was standing on stage with the town VIPs, presenting prizes to my fellows. So much for being a hopeless cripple. With my hands occupied I quickly decided the only solution was to free one of them, so when I was called up to give the best of year prizes, I rested my stump over the crutch handle, making it my leg, and managed perfectly. My real leg had stopped shaking by now. Boy, had I changed from the shy, nervous young guy coming back to school when he lost a leg. I would never have dreamed I would rest my stump on my crutch like that in front of the whole town.

It was now time to think about the future, what I should do.