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READING FOR CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKERS
 ISSUE 28 • MAY 2001

MISCELLANY

EndNotes

I am not my disability
For Bonnie and Devin

I wrote this poem after interviewing a mom who is raising a son who has a disability.  She and her son taught me much about the pain that can be associated with labels, invisibility, and the act of defining another.  This poem was my attempt to express to her and her son that they were truly seen, heard, and felt by another ... me.   

If you say that I am...  
Can I be anything else?   

If you say that I can't...  
Will you still help so I can?   

If you say that I won't...  
Will you still be there if I do?   

If you say that I will...  
Will you accept if I don't?   

If you are afraid I will fall...  
Will you allow me to fly?   

If you are scared I will hurt...  
Will you allow me to try?   

If I can't walk the stairs...  
Will you allow me my dance?   

If you believe there's no hope...  
Will I still have a chance?   

If you can't hear my words...  
Will you listen to me?   

If I can't do...  
We you allow me to be?   

Will you allow me to be more...  
And can you accept when I'm less?   

If you say that I am...  
Will I still be myself?     

— Colleen MacPherson
      submitted to CYC-ONLINE, 24 April 2001

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A boy and his grandparents came to visit the 150-year-old church, a national landmark, where I was working one summer. As they toured the church the grandfather was explaining some of the features, and the boy listened attentively. Then they reached the confessional at the back of the church. "I know what this is!" the boy said excitedly, turning to his grandfather. "This is time out, isn't it?"

— Janelle Baillie

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A Spring Time Analogy 
for Child and Youth Workers
Yesterday I just finished my second year practicum at a school. I found it really hard to leave as I have come to love the kids. My supervisor and two other friends took me out for lunch and presented me with some gifts.
One of the gifts was a handful of cards from the students that I had worked with. These cards are the best gift I could have received not only did they deeply touch me but the idea that my supervisor had taken the time to go around an collect them all for me was wonderful. Anyway the cards were amazing! The students that I least expected to have really benefited from my work with them are the ones that I received the most touching cards from.
They almost all put that they didn't want me to go. I was a constant in their life and even though I didn't always know it and there were some that didn't really show it but I was important to them.
So I guess what I am trying to say is we NEVER KNOW how we are impacting the children we work with. When we think we are just doing what we can, we may be impacting a child's life in a big way.
Sometimes I would think that maybe the kids just wanted to get out of work when they asked if they could come out of class with me. Now I see by the cards that this time was really important to them and they really enjoyed it. They also grew from the little bit of watering that I was able to do.
That of course is my springtime analogy. If you think for one minute that the little water you have to share is not going to greatly impact the growth of children, think again, I have the proof.
Happy Spring Time to All of You
Ruth Wood
 Submitted to CYC-ONLINE, 27 April 2001

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Kids’ Words of Advice to Each Other ...
Thanks to Paula Seele for passing these on. 

Never trust a dog to watch your food. — Patrick, age 10

When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him.— Michael, 14

Never tell your mom her diet's not working. — Michael, 14

Don't squat with your spurs on. — Noronha, 13

When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.— Taylia, 11

If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse. — Naomi, 15

Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick. — Lauren, 9

Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat — Joel, 10

When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone. — Alyesha, 13

Never try to baptize a cat. — Eileen, 8 

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 PEANUTS

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