Dis?-abled

You need to be really careful

Not to define yourself by your

Perceived disability (or whichever perceived shortcomings)

While it may constrain you in some regard,

The thinking of the thing is potentially the trap & limit to a full life.

There’s a fine line, as in some ways,

it inherently makes us different from others, and

the lessons struggling teaches us -

or not, if we don’t listen which

could then push us into fatalism

and extremes of self-loathing, or

“This is all I’m about.”

If it is holding us back,

from growing, achieving and living, perhaps

a slight cognitive reframe is required.

The truth is we are all about so much more than

any perceived limitation.

Sometimes the attributes are forgotten,

sometimes the apparent skills are realigned to,

“I’m not good enough - why try?”

Yet, I am friendly and empathetic

and we’re all growing and learning bit by bit, and

you’re wise and more powerful than you know.

Re-jiggle those brains, to jog our memories.

And in the words of John Merrick (played by John Hurt)

in Lynch’s immortal film,

“I am not an Elephant!

I AM… A HUMAN-BEING!”

*

Quick note: I wrote this more than a few months ago now as it was on my mind, but didn’t share it. Yet, it seems to fit into the recent ‘Say it Plainly challenge’, so out of drafts it came! Thanks for reading.