Lesson 17 Life Beyond Injury 走出伤痛的生活
Words:
atrophy n. 萎缩
attach vt. 系，缚
attachment n. 依恋，喜欢；连接物；附件
attain vt. 到达，获得
attend vt. 参加；入学；照顾
attendant n. 侍者，护理人员；adj. 伴随的
attire n. 穿着，装饰（正规服装总称)
attorney n. 代理人，辩护律师
attribute n. 属性，品质；vt. 把....归于，归因于
attrition n. （逐渐的）损耗，磨损；减员
audacious adj. 大胆的，鲁莽的
audacity n. 大胆，鲁莽
audible adj. 听得见的
audit vt. 查账；旁听
audition n. （对艺人的）面试（指试唱、试戏等）
auditorium n. 大礼堂
auger n. 螺丝钻，钻孔机
augment vt. 增加，增大
aura n. 气味，气氛；光轮，光环
aurora n. 极光（南北极的）
I still reacall the accident. I had an audacious attitude back then. I remember being very upset at my brother and telling him,"you have the audacity to call me a coward when you won't even try." Neither of us knew how unstable and heavy that auger bit was.
Then I felt the numbing pain of the auger bit crushing my back. I can still see the ambulance attendants, in their clean white attire, attending to my injury. I think my voice was barely audible. The doctors were able to attach supporting metal pins to my spine, but I've yet to walk. My whole body seems to be in a state of atrophy. But I've never given up to hope. One of my strongest attributes is patience. Someday, I'll attain the use of my legs again.
Fortunately, my attorney helped me to obtain compensation for my injuries. The extra money helps to augment my monthly income. I still work as an accountant, auditing the books of small companies. But I only work part-time, and later this year, I plan to retire. It looks like my company will reduce its staff through attrition.
I'd like to spend more time with my family now. I have a strong attachment to my wonderful and energeic daughter. Everyone loves her. It's as though she emits an aura. This afternoon, I'll be taking her to the school auditorium so that she can attend an audition for a part in the school play. Next winter, we'll be taking a trip to Alaska to see the aurora borealis!