No one has to tell a person born with one leg
They won't be able to run races like others.
No one has to point out to a person born blind
They shan't experience the sunset like others.
No one has to explain to a person born deaf
They can't appreciate a bird's song like others.
However ...
No one tells a person born with
(Undiagnosed) Asperger's Syndrome
That the world is a very hostile place for
One with the extreme sensory sensitivities
Characteristic of being in the autism spectrum,
Then when the condition is finally realized and
The awareness of the fact that the psyche-shattering
Sensory overloads suffered throughout the span of
A lifetime was not at all the norm as once believed,
It finally dawns that this life so bewildering
Has merely been spent in its entirety as,
Just another cripple.
-
Author:
Louis Gibbs (
Offline) - Published: July 21st, 2017 08:21
- Comment from author about the poem: I never understood that I wasn't "normal". I'm still processing the realization, and what it has cost me my entire life. It has had me a little down lately.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 32
Offline)
Comments7
So sorry to hear you've been a bit down of late but to cheer you up: you've so much going for you when you can produce great thought provoking work like this - keep writing Louis.
Your words mean a great deal to me, Michael. Thank you so much.
Thoughtful write L. I suppose it's because we cannot 'see' mental problems, illness, etc, so to some people it's sort of non-existent.
Sometimes we can't see it ourselves. They say you aren't crazy if you think you are ... what that says about me is worrisome! Thanks for this kind response,
Thank you Louis for sharing. While overall I think we have come a long way in accepting and providing for people who are different from the so-called 'norm', I believe we still have a long way to go. Especially as far as mental differences are concerned.
Both sad and true, Fred. Mental differences in particular.
Thank you for shedding light of this subject, as it is one I believe many tend to overlook. Always be yourself, especially if it brings works of wonder like these!
So very kind of you, poetboy, thanks!
I will have to research this condition because I know someone that could be suffering from something like this. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome, and I hope you can help them somehow.
Good strong write. It is such a shame that many people with unseen problems are sometimes not seen themselves. Things are slowly getting better and these illnesses are becoming more recognised and understood. When I was a Chaplain in the Sea Cadets it surprised my just how many of the youngsters had these type of problems, it really opened my eyes.
Thanks for your response, Andy. Chaplain in the Sea Cadets sounds like an interesting experience! So many youngsters are burdened with a challenge of one sort or another, and too often it goes unrecognized and untreated. Congratulations on your service to them.
Our son has adhd and other friends the same thing. Also one friend has the same condition as you. I can't begin to know how you are feeling. But I know when my son was growing up the struggles he went through and our friends too. The smartest people are the ones with these things. It is just so hard to focus.
I know that you are smart and a wonderful writer. It is always great to express ourselves through writing. I always feel better too. Keep on writing I enjoyed your poem very much. Hugs Micalina
I do have ADD as part of my Asperger's, without the Hyperactivity component your son has. It does make it difficult to maintain focus in general, but at the same time I am able to maintain laser-like focus on a project, task, or design I am working on, to the exclusion of ambient distractions. I don't know if this adds anything to the understanding of your son's challenge, but is offered in the hope that it might. And you are correct in saying that so many with such challenges are extremely smart ... 'the flip side' I suppose you could say ... the blessing with the curse. Best wishes, and thanks for your personal comment, Micalina.
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