I am the child that 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 tearful, 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 much 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 wold around me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the worlds standards...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 character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunities 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 that cannot talk
I am the child that 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 to stand upright, to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent. I give you awareness. I am the child that cannot walk
I am the child that is mentally impaired
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the worlds 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 that is mentally impared.
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 you my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I will 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
Author: Unknown
This page is for Danny with all our love.
