Abby Palmer’s partial paralysis functions as a motif in the novel that highlights the experiences of many children with physical disabilities. Abby fell from a playground slide when she was two years old, and the fall resulted in partial paralysis. As a result, Abby uses a walker or crawls from place to place. The Palmers do not allow her to use a wheelchair because they want her to strengthen her leg muscles. Even so, with Abby’s partial paralysis, certain tasks are exhausting and time-consuming for her. Kehret underscores the difficulties that Abby faces by describing the step-by-step process of her progress through the woods with Jonathan Palmer after the earthquake. Because fallen trees and branches cover the trail, Abby must wait while Jonathan clears a path, and she relies on his help to climb over fallen trees. Without her walker, which is broken by the earthquake, Abby can only crawl or lean on Jonathan for support. During the emergency of the earthquake, her disability complicates the children’s circumstances and has a profound effect on their chances for survival.

By highlighting Abby’s disability, Kehret also shows the reactions of others to Abby’s partial paralysis. For example, Mr. and

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