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I Am The Child
I AM THE CHILD WHO CANNOT TALK.
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, 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 with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over. 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 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 much more valuable... I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of you 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 would ever go on you own, working harder, seeking answers to your questions, creating questions with no answers.
I AM THE CHILD WHO CANNOT WALK.I am the child who cannot walk. The world sometimes seem 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 shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork 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; 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 IS MENTALLY IMPAIRED.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 strife's 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 means, to give you love. I give the gift of simplicity.
I AM THE DISABLED CHILD.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 gift you with 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 of Hope and Faith.
~Author Unknown~