I Am...

I could be your son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew or friend.  You might have seen me working in the grocery store or theater.  You might have asked yourself  "What is wrong with him?" You might not have understood why my mother or father wasn't reprimanding me as  you would your own child.  You might be tempted to stare or to move away from me. I might look different, funny or strange.  Or, I might look "normal."  I might talk a little louder than most or maybe I don't talk at all.  I might grunt.  I might yell.  I might not look you in the eye or maybe I'll look at you a little too long.   I might walk on my tip toes.  I might flap my arms.

I am different from you.

I have a heart.  I know more than you think I do.  I am receptive, even though I may be unable to express it.  I have feelings.  I work twice as hard as you do to accomplish the same things.  I'm bullied, made fun of and set up to fail.  But each day, I go back into the world smiling and ready to try again.  I might have a great day, if I'm lucky.  Or, it could be another bad day.  But I'll be back tomorrow, ready to try again.  My teacher may have hit me or stuck me in a corner.  I can't tell anyone.  I can cry.  I can feel pain.  But I'll be back.  I'll be hoping for a better day.  I'll be hoping someone is there that will care.  I will pray that someone will take the time.  The time to try to know me, to understand me, to hear what I'm trying to say even though I cannot speak the words.  I'll wait for someone to offer me a kind smile or hug. 

I am a person.

I feel things.

I hurt.

I feel joy.

I worry.

I feel hate.

I feel love.

I'm the same as you.

I am a person with Special Needs and to those who really know me, I AM SPECIAL.