A Poem about being disabled in a judgmental world…

don’t sit in your limits

don’t settle for the regrets

don’t sit in the stiffness and the bitterness

don’t roll for the punch when all you want is to get up

don’t settle for the frustration that’s eating you up

try and then try again

a little more today and a bit more tomorrow

for everything I couldn’t do I learnt another way

I didn’t stop I didn’t give up cause that’s not in my DNA

I thought I told you my arse is too good to be sitting in a chair

but wait don’t be the judge or the fucking jury

a blind man still feels, smells and hears you

a deaf man still speaks and he feels and sees you

why can’t a paralysed person walk and move their arms

just cause you haven’t been there doesn’t mean it’s not possible

don’t lack the imagination that you once had

to create you need to be creative

your dream can be the start of greatness

my dream is to walk like you- only better

my dream is to stand like you- for the better

my dream is to move like you and do the basic things you do

only I’m not basic it might take me a minute but I’ll get through it

watch me turn the no into whatever’s

be humble for your stumbles

be proud of your successes

be grateful for the gift and pay it forward

I give a new meaning to disabled

I may look young but I have years of challenges

I may look healthy that’s cause I am what’s your excuse for giving up

when you can’t, don’t say fuck it

try again

don’t wait for tomorrow to leave a mark

if it gets harder push through

don’t wait for the change

you need to become the change that’s needed right now

I have to fight for the basic principles of life

movement doesn’t come easy to me

I might be slow

some days I’m fast

some days you will see me

other days you will not

remember not all disabilities are visible

everyone has a story and a battle you know nothing about

I smile because I’m happy and I’m appreciative of life

you don’t have to look sick to be sick

there are many tough soldiers fighting each day

give them a chance to shine

don’t park in their spots

don’t look them up and down

we’re just people trying to do life

don’t make me isolate after your judgements have ruined my day

don’t make me uncomfortable and want to go back into hiding

spend more time smiling and being kind

we all deserve that little bit of respect

judgements in a judgemental world

no more