The Disability Experience II by Debbie Johnson - HTML preview

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Searching for Self

By design

We have freedom

To seek the comfort of Happiness

With strength of Goodness

And power of Love

We travel the road seeking

Belief in something, anything

Trusting our instincts

Unleashing creative selves

We strive for

Comfort between Hope and Knowledge

Unfolding motives

Accepting ourselves

Understanding others

We release Yesterday

Have a vision of Tomorrow

Bask in the glow of Today

Having found our path to

Authenticity

I’ve Been Labeled

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Look at me, I’m disabled

Right away, I’ve been labeled

Why must you only see

That I have a disability?

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Remember I’m a person too

With hopes and dreams just like you

Please be kind in our dealings

Keep in mind, I have feelings

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Through the struggles I have known

Understanding and compassion have grown

My creativity’s been enhanced

Into writing I have danced

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I’ve been given opportunity

To view life differently

A part of my life, disability

Happens to be my reality

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The Brown Recliner

houses my body

way too many

hours a day.

Does it tire of the pressure

of me sitting on it?

Does it, like me

long for freedom

to come and go at will

for pleasure or purpose?

Having worn arms

covered by a blanket

in stale air.

Does it care that

existence is limited

to a small corner

of the world?

Unaware breeze blowing.

Lilac bushes

fragrantly sweet

seen only through panes.

Unable to touch, smell

the outdoors, to feel

sunshine or bitter cold.

To be exposed to variety,

spice, in this thyme of life.

Will it someday crumble

beneath my weight?

Too much togetherness

not good for either of us.

Will it wear out,

tired of conformity to

circumstances imposed?

Longing for

a different outlook

instead of the same walls.

Or is it satisfied

with the status quo

sitting hour after hour

with the same view?

Is it aware of its usefulness,

or does it ponder a life lost,

unexplored, while

brown and shabby.

Left indoors, forgotten

except by me?

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