Unlimited

When I was three years old I had a stroke

Luckily I didn't croak

It's not a joke

That's why today I don't drink, do drugs, or smoke... much

I'm still a human being

It's just a man you're seeing here

I still like to be with friends and pop open the odd cold can of beer

I just drink it from my right hand

Not my left hand

That's the one hand

That does not move on my command

I like to think of my left side as my strong side

It's my stubborn side

It has been affected but it still survived

So I like to wear it with some pride

Sure I could've died

But I'm still alive

So I walk through my life with a staggered stride

People still like to stare

Like to pretend they care

Tell me it's not fair and when they get home they'll say a prayer

But frankly it offends me

I don't want them to defend me

I want them to treat me like a real person and befriend me

Not because they feel bad

Or my limitations make them sad

Or glad that compared to me their lives aren't so bad

But because they like me for who I am

Limitations and all

They see me standing tall

Soaring through life instead of learning to crawl

I don't like to be carried on the backs of the sympathetic

Honestly it makes me feel pathetic

When others try to take my burden as their own

Instead of letting me deal with it alone

I don't mind asking for help when it's essential

But I just want the chance to live up to my potential

Sure there are some things I can't do by myself

Just like everyone else

And I don't always know when to ask for some help

But just 'cause it's me doesn't mean you should go out of your way

When no one's around I get by quite fine on my own everyday

I know when it's me it's hard not to see twelve shades of gray

But if you could please just try to meet me halfway

My independence is a matter of pride

I appreciate it when others stand by my side

But don't try to drag me along like some self-righteous guide

The only one who knows what's best for myself is me

The only path that I follow is the one that I lead

At my own speed

I'm my own steed

Someone please tell these people how I proceed

I succeed on my own or with a helping hand

But only from those who can understand that I'm my own man who can stand by myself and land on my own two strong feet and

My life goes according only to what I've planned

I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor

So please don't treat me like I'm an outsider

I have a mind and a heart just like everyone else

If you cut me I bleed just like yourself

So don't treat me like I'm some fragile thing

That could be so easily broken with the slightest ding

I've been through a lot and that makes me tough

So I know how to handle myself when things get rough

I do not seek approval or recognition

Or special attention just 'cause I have a condition

I don't need praise for just being me

For just trying to fit in with society

Sure, in their own special way everyone is unique

So then why am I singled out as some sort of freak

Just because my uniqueness you can see physically?

I'm just me

A human being

Can't we agree

And just let me be me?

Reviews

[Carolann Dowsett]

Wow well said, I love this, so strong and powerful and ready to take on the world.