stop and think

[darkmarkshark]

As the earth turns,
The sun brings pain,
So does the rain.

It wasn’t that long ago,
that she could stand,
It was that long ago,
that she could run.

Now everything seems to be an enemy,
Forcing her into that bed,
A cloud passing over, the click of a lamp,
and she’s tremoring for hours

Why?
What has happened here?
Just a few months ago, she was on top of the world,
Now she’s trapped down deep below,
Locked up in her room she shudders from intruding sound and light.

The few times she manages to go out,
all she hears is nasty comments about how she’s stealing taxpayer’s money
because she’s too lazy to work.

Stop and think,
She’d give anything to have the energy to complete her grocery shopping without resting,
Stop and think,
She’d give anything to focus on a book
Stop and think,
She’d give anything to be able to use her college degree

But other plans are in store for her,
All she can do is hope that brain surgery will return the self she knows
because medicine has failed her.
Medicine has failed her.
Medicine has failed her

It would be nice to look up at the sky,
To run a race,
To play a computer game,
Or climb the monkey bars,
But those things are out of reach to some little boys

Stop and think,
This shopping trip might mean a 3 day bed-rest for that teenager in line behind you
The disco light advertising the pizza parlor,
might mean an ER trip for that mother walking with her young children

Stop and think,
How would you feel if most everything was an enemy,
a light, a sound, the pattern on a passing strangers dress

And then you were criticized by strangers
For using the aid that’s keeping you alive
Stop and think
Stop and think
Stop and think

To some people most everything is an enemy they can’t escape.
There is a father that turns his back, every time the door is opened,
He’d love to watch his son play ball, take him camping, or go fishing,
A mother can’t chaperone the field trip,
because of the light on the school bus.
A brother can’t watch tv, a sister can’t eat a piece of her birthday cake,
Wrapping paper needs to be carefully selected for Uncle Joe’s present,
Otherwise he’ll miss out on the entire celebration
The captain of the swimming team isn’t allowed in the water any more.
It’s too dangerous for Mary to ride the bike she asked for every day last year


So the next time, before you speak,
Stop and think about who you are talking too
Not everyone as is lucky as you are,
Looking normal doesn’t mean you are healthy
Oh how I wish I did it,
It would be nice to toss away that government card,
Go to work and earn a promotion,
But that might never be more than a dream for me.

[BuckeyeFan]

Mark,

That was very good. It is those 'hidden' handicaps that are so easy to misunderstand, sometimes even for those of us who have our own 'hidden secrets'.

Thank you for sharing that.

[Meetz1064]

GREAT JOB, MARK!!!

[Belinda5000]

I've had people have to ask why don't u drive there's nothing wrong with you.
Or why aren't you working the elderly have said when I've been out during the day.
Your a healthy young woman.
I've kept myself losing my temper and telling them a thing or two.

I'm going to have to start back wearing my helmet.
If I don't want to end up busting my head open again.

Belinda

[stilldancing_98]

I have lived that life, every medication, surgeries that did not work. Not able to concentrate on a book. My son faces the same outlook. But is also mentally retarted. But when I fall I will get up. It is my time. I will teach and love . Be kind to those who don't understand so they will be willing to. I will not fail my son or myself. Teresa

[seizures4ever]

Mark,

That is beautifully written. And so true, parts of it made me want to cry. We all need to stop and think and respect others. For what is happening on the inside, is not always apparent from the outside. Blessings. -Julie

[alivenwell]

It's so easy for some people to turn their heads the other way. Rejection. Denial of opportunities. Feelings of despair and loneliness. The list is infinite.

We have to virtually walk above it all and we are better for doing so. It's a survival technique.

That is a very well written expressive piece of literature. Any others like that? Maybe a good publication of it will educate others.

[Nancy]

Thank you Mark

So many things I read here .... I print and pin on the bulletin board above my computer

[josieb]

Mark:
Thanks so much for sharing your writing with us. It really hits the nail on the head for so many of us and others that we know.
Josie