A Christmas Poem--A Walk In My Shoes

[Guest guest]

A Walk in My Shoes by C. Waeltermann, 2007Twas the Night before ChristmasAnd all through the houseThe creatures were stirringYes, even the mouseWe tried melatonin And gave a hot bathBut the holiday jittersThey always distractThe children were finallyAll nestled in bedWhen nightmares of terrorRan through my OWN headDid I get the right giftThe right colorAnd styleWould there be a tantrumOr even, maybe, a smile?Our relatives comeBut they don't understandThe pleasure he getsJust from flapping his hands."He needs discipline," they say"Just a well-needed smack,You must learn to parent"And on goes the attackWe smile and nodBecause we know deep insideThe argument is mootLet them all take a sideWe know what it's likeTo live with the spectrumThe struggles and triumphsAchievements, regressions….But what they don't knowAnd what they don't seeIs the joy that we feelOver simplicityHe said "hello"He ate something green!He told his first lie!He did not cause a scene!He peed on the pottyWho cares if he's ten,He stopped saying the same thingAgain and again!Others don't realizeJust how we can copeHow we bravely hang onAt the end of our ropeBut what they don't seeIs the joy we can't hideWhen our children with autismMake the tiniest strideWe may look at othersWithout the problems we faceWith jealousy, hatredOr even distaste,But what they don't knowNor sometimes do weIs that children with autismBring simplicity.We don't get excitedOver expensive thingsWe jump for joyWith the progress work bringsChildren with autismTry hard every dayThat they make us proudMore than words can say.They work even harderThan you or ITo achieve something smallTo reach a star in the skySo to those who don't get itOr can't get a clueTake a walk in my shoesAnd I'll assure you…That even 10 minutesInto the walkYou'll look at meWith respect, even shock.You will realizeWhat it is I go throughAnd the next time you judgeI can assure youThat you won't say a thingYou'll be quiet and learn,Like the years that I didWhen the tables were turned.

[Guest guest]

>

> That's a great poem it says it all!!! I love it

>

>

>

> A Walk in My Shoes by C. Waeltermann, 2007

>

> Twas the Night before Christmas

> And all through the house

> The creatures were stirring

> Yes, even the mouse

>

> We tried melatonin

> And gave a hot bath

> But the holiday jitters

> They always distract

>

> The children were finally

> All nestled in bed

> When nightmares of terror

> Ran through my OWN head

>

> Did I get the right gift

> The right color

> And style

> Would there be a tantrum

> Or even, maybe, a smile?

>

> Our relatives come

> But they don't understand

> The pleasure he gets

> Just from flapping his hands.

>

> " He needs discipline, " they say

> " Just a well-needed smack,

> You must learn to parent "

> And on goes the attack

>

> We smile and nod

> Because we know deep inside

> The argument is moot

> Let them all take a side

>

> We know what it's like

> To live with the spectrum

> The struggles and triumphs

> Achievements, regressions….

>

> But what they don't know

> And what they don't see

> Is the joy that we feel

> Over simplicity

>

> He said " hello "

> He ate something green!

> He told his first lie!

> He did not cause a scene!

>

> He peed on the potty

> Who cares if he's ten,

> He stopped saying the same thing

> Again and again!

>

> Others don't realize

> Just how we can cope

> How we bravely hang on

> At the end of our rope

>

> But what they don't see

> Is the joy we can't hide

> When our children with autism

> Make the tiniest stride

>

> We may look at others

> Without the problems we face

> With jealousy, hatred

> Or even distaste,

>

> But what they don't know

> Nor sometimes do we

> Is that children with autism

> Bring simplicity.

>

> We don't get excited

> Over expensive things

> We jump for joy

> With the progress work brings

>

> Children with autism

> Try hard every day

> That they make us proud

> More than words can say.

>

> They work even harder

> Than you or I

> To achieve something small

> To reach a star in the sky

>

> So to those who don't get it

> Or can't get a clue

> Take a walk in my shoes

> And I'll assure you…

>

> That even 10 minutes

> Into the walk

> You'll look at me

> With respect, even shock.

>

> You will realize

> What it is I go through

> And the next time you judge

> I can assure you

>

> That you won't say a thing

> You'll be quiet and learn,

> Like the years that I did

> When the tables were turned.

>