And, as we reach part 3 of our Hideous tale as always , expectations shape everything. John is not walking as the AP finishes their series. But he is a little stronger than previously expected.

Is it that the therapy he got was so great, or was it the commonality of being around other families who upended their lives that helped the most? But Ms. Arrillaga was sent to write a medical miracle story, damn it, so she is keeping her sights squarely focused on the medical miracle workers at Project Walk, counting steps and cataloging minor milestones.

Might John's toughness have "resurfaced" in North Carolina if something had come along to reignite his sense of purpose there? Might a less medically-focused change of scenery have helped John put some distance between himself and his trauma? All questions I'm asking as someone who tends to believe real healing has passing little to do with John Pou's C-6 vertebra.

I'm concerned about the Pou marriage if John comes to accept life as a chair user and Marci remains devoted to the notion of cure.

No questions about that from our intrepid reporter...could John's medical setback in North Carolina have a psychological component? I'm guessing it does, although I'm not sure if being in their old house brings back bad memories or what, but writing about that messes up the Project Walk press release that The Associated Press has been so studiously compiling, so of course, John must need to go back to the expensive therapy emporium and get back on The Road To Wellville.

If you haven't read this book or seen the film, by the end the young married couple ends up virtually estranged, strung out from months of enforced abstinence, and essentially? Stopping "getting better" is the only thing that saves their relationship. Of course, that couple was not facing the same sort of challenges the Pous are, but I can't help seeing some parallels here.

Marci has serious ableism issues, also."The home in North Carolina is not a home, because there's no life for him there but to rot away in a chair."(bold font mine.)

Really? Disabled North Carolinians, enlighten me, here? Seriously...I'd love some "Disabled in Kakilaki" e-mail...how's the rotting coming, y'all?(Did I say that right? I was born in California.)

Maybe they could have made different Carolina friends...it can't be easy hanging out with people for whom you are always "poor John and Marci". Maybe they could have found some other couples touched directly by disability in NC, too.(Because, therapy aside, I believe the community, and the chance to strip away the denial is what really helped the most.)

Well, thank you for accompanying me in my journey through the worst of the disability media. I hope it'll be a long time till I go back, but experience teaches me otherwise, with telethon season just three months away.

Good luck, and be careful what you read!