Zina have you read this poem to that son? Have you read this to any of your family? Particularly the child with special needs? BTW congratulations on being able to do all you do and raise five kids. One of which has "Special Needs". As somebody who has "Special Needs" I Hate That Term.
My special needs are Spina Bifida. Hydrocephalus. Depression and Anxiety. As I have stated I dislike the term "Special Needs" with Some Intensity. But everyone is entitled to what ever phrase. I won't hold it against them. However my preferred phrase is "Disabled" or "Differently Abled".
No I have not read that to him. My family is not really into poetry, actually. It is a restricted interest of mine, though I have tried to get my kids into poetry in stages. I have “special needs” too. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Language within the community has been very difficult. There are many debates especially with people-first language and identity first language. I hope we can have more conversations about how we can all talk about this as we live in an age where we can silence ourselves, fearing that we will say the wrong thing. Language, the use of it, the choices we make with it—it is all so powerful. So powerful it can be hurtful. I think we have to talk and assume good intentions and also pose solutions. I am in a group in the archdiocese of Boston that talks about inclusion, and what I have learned is how much the needs of some conflict with the needs of others. These are not mere desires. These are points of accessibility. I am in a stream of consciousness mode so please forgive me but I have significant mental health issues and was on medications that changed my personality—I could hardly read for 19 years. I finally got off those meds and I wanted to write creatively again which I hadn’t wanted to do for a long time. It was a very sad time for me. I am not sure I could handle a poem like the one I posted but because I experienced what I did I appreciate it so much. I tried to take my life in more than one occasion. My husband has driven me to the psychiatric hospital. He was the first person to help me get help. So I think of myself as someone with special needs but I understand how hurtful it can be for others. Due to stigma. Due to whatever experiential context one may have. I apologize if it was somehow offensive to you. I did not intend that. And still thinking about how one shares this poem… I would not have my kids watch certain themes of movies before they are ready. I think I only have one child who could handle this poem at the moment. But as I said… poetry is more my thing than anyone else’s in this household.
Every time I hear this poem its power still impacts! A trap door ending as Mr. Nichols mentioned!
Zina have you read this poem to that son? Have you read this to any of your family? Particularly the child with special needs? BTW congratulations on being able to do all you do and raise five kids. One of which has "Special Needs". As somebody who has "Special Needs" I Hate That Term.
My special needs are Spina Bifida. Hydrocephalus. Depression and Anxiety. As I have stated I dislike the term "Special Needs" with Some Intensity. But everyone is entitled to what ever phrase. I won't hold it against them. However my preferred phrase is "Disabled" or "Differently Abled".
No I have not read that to him. My family is not really into poetry, actually. It is a restricted interest of mine, though I have tried to get my kids into poetry in stages. I have “special needs” too. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Language within the community has been very difficult. There are many debates especially with people-first language and identity first language. I hope we can have more conversations about how we can all talk about this as we live in an age where we can silence ourselves, fearing that we will say the wrong thing. Language, the use of it, the choices we make with it—it is all so powerful. So powerful it can be hurtful. I think we have to talk and assume good intentions and also pose solutions. I am in a group in the archdiocese of Boston that talks about inclusion, and what I have learned is how much the needs of some conflict with the needs of others. These are not mere desires. These are points of accessibility. I am in a stream of consciousness mode so please forgive me but I have significant mental health issues and was on medications that changed my personality—I could hardly read for 19 years. I finally got off those meds and I wanted to write creatively again which I hadn’t wanted to do for a long time. It was a very sad time for me. I am not sure I could handle a poem like the one I posted but because I experienced what I did I appreciate it so much. I tried to take my life in more than one occasion. My husband has driven me to the psychiatric hospital. He was the first person to help me get help. So I think of myself as someone with special needs but I understand how hurtful it can be for others. Due to stigma. Due to whatever experiential context one may have. I apologize if it was somehow offensive to you. I did not intend that. And still thinking about how one shares this poem… I would not have my kids watch certain themes of movies before they are ready. I think I only have one child who could handle this poem at the moment. But as I said… poetry is more my thing than anyone else’s in this household.
A mirror is just a window with a layer of lead on it's back.
It sure is. LOL @Howard This is something one if my sons would say 😂