Characters
- Peg: Main character and narrator of the story, diagnosed with polio.
- Karen: Peg's best friend at school
- Tommy: Peg's hospital roommate at University Hospital, in an iron lung.
- Renee: Sheltering Arms roommate, goes home for Christmas.
- Shirley: Sheltering Arms roommate, who has the most trouble with polio.
- Alice: Sheltering Arms roommate, who has been there for ten years. Her parents didn't want to take care of her because she was so badly crippled, and she became a ward of the state.
- Dorothy: Sheltering Arms roommate, who strives to be in leg braces to go home. Is able to return home, because her family built her a ramp.
- Mrs. Crab: Peg's physical therapist at University Hospital, whom Peg doesn't like. Gives her Torture Time.
- Art: Peg's older, good looking brother, whom Dorothy adores.
- Dr. Bevis: Peg's doctor at University Hospital, to whom she has a crush on and she promises to walk for one day.
- Miss. Ballard: Peg's physical therapist at Sheltering Arms that she's very fond of.
- Beth and Bob: Peg's parents who bring treats for Peg and the girls every Sunday.
Read more about this topic: Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio
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