Being Handicapped Doesn't Make Any of  Us Different

Over the years I have seen some things that made me wonder why,
I came to this place of work when so often it made me cry.
But I remember the days of sadness are much less than the ones that are glad,
To come to a place that has helped me to grow can't really be all that bad.
We all try to look at our friends here with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Some times this is almost impossible when they get under our very last nerve.

I can look at them in a way that you cant, for I know some of what they must feel,
But I am  one of the lucky ones, mind intact, with my handicap I deal.
I always knew I wanted to be treated the same as all of the others,
I knew over protection and not expecting the most never does good but smothers.

The spark of life inside all of us is as different as day is from night,
But we have to allow them to hope, try and fail, until the task is almost right.
You have to allow that struggle to help a person be all they can be.
You must view their life through eyes with humor and love if you expect they'll ever fly free.

Through all of the struggles you have trying to mold what they do,
You can be proud of yourself, someone learned something only from you.
Alan acts goofy, Mike gives a pinch, and Bev is really a pest.
But Alan can read, Mike can sign, and Bev's improvement can hardly be stressed.
The key to their learning is simple enough it's held in our heart and our mind.
Think of the way you learn, feel and grow in your world and move on just don't leave them behind.

©1990
 

Next Poem

 

HOME

BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE

BACK TO MATILDA'S PAGE