A Shared Mesage

In this blog post, I wanted to take a moment to share a message that has been circulating around Facebook. Many of my readers do not have Facebook so I wanted to share this for their benefit. This message really speaks a great deal about what it means to be autistic.  A note, I did not write this poem and strongly admire the person that did.  It is my hope that you find this as insightful as I do:

"I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy - can learn if I try ...
But I don't seem to know where to start.
I am the child that won't wear the clothes
which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells, and tastes - there are few foods I'll eat.
I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.
I am the child with whom no one will play ..
The one that gets bullied and teased
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason I'm made this way --
Some message I'm sent to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you."