Simon didn’t realize how much he had missed inventing until he picked up one of his tools the next day. It was the satisfaction of being able to create whatever his heart desired that he loved about inventing, along with the thrilling journey of trial and error until he succeeded. Jeanette handed him the tools he needed, helped him brainstorm, fetched equipment he needed from the shelves or basement, and helped him test out his first invention: a special handle that would help him pick up objects from a distance so he wouldn’t have to keep asking someone to get them for him. It had a few kinks that needed worked out, but by the end of the second day, Simon was satisfied with it.
Simon also used his imagination
to help him in doing chores around the house.
He often sat on cushions in his wheelchair so he could reach the sink to
do dishes. A motor on the back of his
chair gave him enough propulsion to move with the vacuum cleaner. To help him carry things on the chair instead
of in his lap, Dave bought Simon a saddle bag with several pockets that Simon
attached to the side of his chair. He enjoyed creating all the inventions, and doing things around the
house was getting easier.
Once summer came along, the
Chipettes came over to visit more.
Jeanette urged him to join them outside, and instead of walking
longingly on the porch, she and Eleanor found a way to adapt their game of
catch so Simon could play too. He found
that he could golf soon when the six set up a mini golf set on their lawn after
Dave mowed it. On nights when his brothers
did things Simon didn’t care to participate in, such as going to a late night
party or a kids’ movie, Simon looked through Jeanette’s telescope or read with
her, just as he used to do.
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