Out of My Dreams

The I.D.E.A. symposium is held in an ancient-looking building with turrets, and the entryway is painted with handprints and footprints of every color. Melody even spots painted wheelchair tracks. As Melody checks in, she notices several other children using assistive devices. She talks to a boy who is using a state-of-the-art beach wheelchair, and he reveals that all the ideas for his chair came from previous symposiums. Melody marvels at the creative assistive devices on display and soon befriends a girl named Bethany, who also uses a wheelchair. Bethany explains that she was a dancer en route to an audition when she got into an accident and injured her spinal cord. Now Bethany does wheelchair ballet. Melody explains that she got invited to the conference for saving Miss Gertie’s life. Both Bethany and Melody feel intimidated by all the other genius attendees, and they aren’t sure why they were invited to participate.

Melody attends the informational session with Bethany. The emcee, Charlene Chilvers, welcomes all the delegates, who come from 17 different countries. Ms. Chilvers reminds them that they all have the ability to change the world. Melody signs up for an advocacy session and an innovation brainstorming session.