The latest chapter has been posted. It serves a couple of different purposes ... one, to explain the particulars of John's (and my, although "John" isn't my real name) amputation, and two, as a sort of tribute to the man who is the reason I am able to walk, let alone race.
As for the real-life "Emmett Wall" I changed a few identifying details - among them, he is still alive in the story but IRL passed away a few years ago - but it is otherwise a very brief, but true, depiction of the man. He is the standard against which I measure all doctors. As well, the conversation portrayed in this chapter is more or less the exact conversation he had with my mother to persuade her that amputation of my foot was the best choice.
Incidentally, limb-lengthening surgery is a real thing. You can Google several pages that will tell you more information. It also is not recommended for most people with dwarfism because of the particulars of their bone structure.
I am off to donate blood this afternoon. If you are eligible to donate, please do. There is a critical shortage of blood in America. You'll do a great thing. And you'll get to cheat on your diet for a day, plus (usually) get a gift card of some variety as a thank-you.