My parents refused when I asked for $5,000 to save my leg. Dad said, “We just bought a boat.” Mom said, “A limp will teach you responsibility.” My sister laughed, “You’ll manage.” Then my brother arrived: “I sold all my tools. Here’s $800.” He didn’t know what was coming. – Story
**The Inheritance of Dignity** I was still in uniform when my father told me my leg wasn’t worth five thousand dollars. The doctor had used the word *permanent* if surgery didn’t happen within the week. My knee was swollen tight against my fatigues, my boot unlaced, my future suddenly fragile. “We just bought a boat,”…