I am a Child
I am the child who cannot talk.
You often pity me. I see it in your eyes. You wonder how much I am
aware of...I see that as well. I am aware of much...whether you are
happy or sad or fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and
desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I
cannot express myself nor my needs as you do. You cannot conceive my
isolation, so complete it is at times. I do not gift you with clever
conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well-being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world around
me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's stardards...
great strides in development that you can credit yourself.
I do not give
you understanding as you know it.What I give you is so much more
valuable... I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to
discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of your
love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to
explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible. I drive
you further than you ever go on your own,working harder, seeking answers to your many questions, creating questions with no answers
I am the child who cannot talk.
I am the child who cannot walk.
The world sometimes seems to pass me by. You see the longing in my
eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other
children. There is much you take for granted. I want the toys on the
top shelf. I need to go to the bathroom... oh...I've dropped my spoon
again. I am dependent on you in these ways...
My gift to you is to make you aware of your great fortune, your
healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself. Sometimes
people appear not to notice me; I always notice them. I feel not so
much envy as desire, desire to stand upright, to put one foot in
front of the other, to be independent. I give you awareness. I am
the child who cannot walk.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick.
What I do know is infinite joy in the simple things. I am not
burdened as you are with the strifes and conflicts of a more complicated
life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love.I give you the gift of simplicity. I am the child who is
mentally impaired.
I am the disabled child. I am your teacher. If
you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I give to you my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I
teach you of respect for others and their uniqueness. I teach you
about the sanctity of life.
I teach you about how very
precious this life is and about not taking things for granted. I
teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams. I
teach you giving.
Most of all, I teach you Hope and Faith. I Am The Disabled Child;
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