3.2 Need I remind you
It is wonderful to be in a world that accepts each and everyone for who they are,
Provided it is within certain contexts, settings specified. In reality, no room for the below par.
Being disabled makes us no less able than you, or you, or you, or even less able you,
A physical disability or a hidden disability makes us no less valid and no less true.
But it is time to see us, see our disabilities, and no longer will we allow your ignorance to scar.
“We are a disability confident employer.” So many businesses are super keen and eager to say,
“Of course, we accept and recognise your condition.” Homage to this line do they pay.
Lip service paid and boxes are all ticked. Now that is done, all filed away and now forgot,
But I am not filed away, I exist, I matter too. Please don’t forget me. I am not asking a lot.
With your box ticked, you no longer see me. My disability I need to remind you of every day.
You would not ask someone in a wheelchair to just run up those stairs, just because you forgot,
Their wheeled aid is a little reminder for you that they can’t jump to your bidding, move or trot.
But I have not a visual aid for you, nor do I hold a prompt card or carry around a flashing neon sign,
I am simply me, I work hard, give all I can be. Yet why do you see the need to always cross the line?
I remember details about you, I pay attention. Yet my disability seems always to fall into your blind spot.
Of course, I remember how you like to drink your tea and coffee, yet you can't remember I have autism,
Knowing that certain phrases upset you, so I avoid them. Hello? Remember I have a thing called autism.
Why can I recall so much about you? Even small details. Yet you are ignorant of me and my disability?
Is it ignorance or do you simply forget? Does my disability matter not to you? Abandoning sensibility.
You continue to ask me to do things and expect me to perform tasks as if I did not have autism.
I did not ask to be born like this, it just so happened to be luck of the dice that fate made me this way,
Whilst I do not choose to be who I am, you choose to ignore my disability, you choose what to say.
But you know who I am, you know what I have. No more will support your ignorance and remind you,
It is your choice to be ignorant. Do not be puzzled when I stop listening to you and things you ask me to do.
Need I remind you yet again that I have autism? Yes, I still have it. I live with it every day, it won't go away.
Need I always remind you of who I am and the difficulties I experience and so very much more?
Don’t be too shocked to learn it is a lifelong disability, for this, there is no magic and certainly no cure.
Legislation and acts of law protect me legally from exclusion in very defined contexts in life,
But it doesn’t protect me from your ignorance and the words you yield, just like a sharp knife.
Enough is enough, I will remind you no more. I am me. I have autism. Your ignorance I will now ignore.
***
Jamie Scott Watkinson-Harvey
Provided it is within certain contexts, settings specified. In reality, no room for the below par.
Being disabled makes us no less able than you, or you, or you, or even less able you,
A physical disability or a hidden disability makes us no less valid and no less true.
But it is time to see us, see our disabilities, and no longer will we allow your ignorance to scar.
“We are a disability confident employer.” So many businesses are super keen and eager to say,
“Of course, we accept and recognise your condition.” Homage to this line do they pay.
Lip service paid and boxes are all ticked. Now that is done, all filed away and now forgot,
But I am not filed away, I exist, I matter too. Please don’t forget me. I am not asking a lot.
With your box ticked, you no longer see me. My disability I need to remind you of every day.
You would not ask someone in a wheelchair to just run up those stairs, just because you forgot,
Their wheeled aid is a little reminder for you that they can’t jump to your bidding, move or trot.
But I have not a visual aid for you, nor do I hold a prompt card or carry around a flashing neon sign,
I am simply me, I work hard, give all I can be. Yet why do you see the need to always cross the line?
I remember details about you, I pay attention. Yet my disability seems always to fall into your blind spot.
Of course, I remember how you like to drink your tea and coffee, yet you can't remember I have autism,
Knowing that certain phrases upset you, so I avoid them. Hello? Remember I have a thing called autism.
Why can I recall so much about you? Even small details. Yet you are ignorant of me and my disability?
Is it ignorance or do you simply forget? Does my disability matter not to you? Abandoning sensibility.
You continue to ask me to do things and expect me to perform tasks as if I did not have autism.
I did not ask to be born like this, it just so happened to be luck of the dice that fate made me this way,
Whilst I do not choose to be who I am, you choose to ignore my disability, you choose what to say.
But you know who I am, you know what I have. No more will support your ignorance and remind you,
It is your choice to be ignorant. Do not be puzzled when I stop listening to you and things you ask me to do.
Need I remind you yet again that I have autism? Yes, I still have it. I live with it every day, it won't go away.
Need I always remind you of who I am and the difficulties I experience and so very much more?
Don’t be too shocked to learn it is a lifelong disability, for this, there is no magic and certainly no cure.
Legislation and acts of law protect me legally from exclusion in very defined contexts in life,
But it doesn’t protect me from your ignorance and the words you yield, just like a sharp knife.
Enough is enough, I will remind you no more. I am me. I have autism. Your ignorance I will now ignore.
***
Jamie Scott Watkinson-Harvey