As part of cerebral palsy awareness month, Barry has written a poem titled “My Cerebral Palsy is a part of me”.
My Cerebral Palsy is a part of me.
Many people who don’t know me might see me in my power wheelchair and feel sorry for me.
Thinking I don’t understand what they are saying to me and what I don’t like because I can’t walk, and many people can’t understand what I am saying to them.
Yellow sky lights up when I got my high text communication aid, that has speech output on it after I type into it what I want to say.
Cats and Dogs like getting patted on the head but I can’t stand it.
Eyes might look but people may not want to ask what is wrong with you. It is the wrong thing to do in my eyes, that aren’t green like my cat.
Run away, I can’t physically do but in my mind, I can be who I want to be.
I want people to see past my physical disability and see me for the person I am.
I can hit a ball with my wheelchair, which feels good too.
A happy day is when people see me for the person I am.
Love shows from my heart because I am so happy when people see me for who I am.
Love shows in my eyes, people can see this which is so nice for everyone too.
People may walk by me and feel sorry for me. I don’t like that because I am a person who is just like you too.
A great person, I am. No need to look at my physical disability.
Love and understanding are what I need in my life, which is a gift of life.
Yellow sunlight helps me in my life and make me feel so happy.
I open my eyes each morning and try my hardest to do what I can in my life.
See me as a person, for who I am.
An apple might be hard to eat, but living with Cerebral Palsy is the same – but so good too.
Barry Smith