September 29, 2008 6:02 AM
Wasilla reader: Special needs poem
Barbara -
My name is Tracey (Sandrock) Porreca. I live in Wasilla, Alaska and was originally drawn to your site just after Sarah Palin was nominated by John McCain. I have been hooked ever since. As the Alaskan mother of 2 children with special needs, I love reading your perspectives on all things Palin, Down Syndrome/special needs, and Christian conservatism. I appreciate your views and am so glad you have chosen a forum to share them with others. Thank you so much.
I was reading your blog and saw some of the recent posts on baby Trig and his loving family. One of my dearest friends, whom I met in an early intervention class with my youngest son, had adopted 2 children with Down Syndrome. I admire those who choose to bring these children into their lives, in whatever way, with that extra chrormosome.
One day when my son was very young, I had an experience that negatively rocked me to my core and lead me to write. My outlet was small, just one poem. The experience with a "professional" that guided me to write this was hard, but out of it has come something that many people with all types of special needs find very comforting. It has been quoted by others on the web. If you choose, I offer it to you to share with your readers. It was originally titled "Please Don't Be Afraid of Me" but has been retitled on the internet as "A Friend Like Me" Here is the poem:
A FRIEND LIKE ME
Please don't be afraid of me
I want to be your friend.
And if you get to know me
Your rigid thoughts might bendThoughts that I am different
From others that you know,
I really am no different
And this I'd like to showI live and breathe and laugh and cry
I love to play and learn,
I sometimes do things differently
Which can cause some concernYou see, some say I'm special
I guess this much is true,
But if you were to ask me
I'd say you're special tooWe're all a little different
No two are just the same,
It's really something wonderful
that way there is no blameWhen things don't go just perfectly
And others get confused,
And say things like "poor child"
and other terms they useIt's okay if you look at me
And might not understand,
It's okay if you touch me
And even hold my handMy life has many obstacles
Much more than you could know,
But that's not what I dwell on
I'm me, that's all, and so...Please don't be afraid of me
I want you just to see,
How truly great and wonderful
A friend like me can be
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~With Love, Tracey Porreca
Thanks, Tracey! Keep us posted on Wasilla.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Inclusion, Special education | Permalink
Comments
Thank you for posting this beautiful poem. It just made me cry! My son was diagnosed with autism last week and I am sure this poem sums up exactly what he would like 'normal' people to know about him. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Sue | September 29, 2008 8:09 AM
Tracey-
We recently moved from Wasilla because my husband is in the military, but plan to retire back there in 3 years. My children and I would be proud to have a friends like you in our adopted hometown!
Bless you,
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | September 29, 2008 1:24 PM
Thank you Tracey for your sweet and sensitive poem. You spoke volumes for those of us who have a special needs family member. The tears began with the first line! I "knew" right away where you were going with it. Thank you too Barbara for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Kim | September 29, 2008 4:20 PM
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POEM. MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN WITH AMNIOTIC BAND SYNDROME WHICH CAUSED HER TO HAVE SEVERE FACIAL ABNORMALITIES. SHE IS ALSO MISSING A PART OF HER BRAIN. WE GET SO MANY STARES FROM PEOPLE. IF ONLY THEY COULD GET TO KNOW HER FOR WHO SHE REALLY IS. SHE IS SUCH A SWEET BABY. SHE BRINGS SO MUCH JOY INTO MY LIFE AND TO THOSE WHO KNOW HER.
Posted by: CHRISTY | October 18, 2008 9:44 AM
