Don't look away from me, let's work together, with
hopefulness and share our gifts and talents too…………I came across this
lovely poem just after posting my last piece It makes good sense to employ people with disabilities. It conveys so much so beautifully and I
wanted to share it with you.
Don't look away
By Mercy Iyamu
You look away because all you see in me is my label
The label that you have given me is preventing you from
seeing who I really am.
You look away, because I appear as an empty vessel. Although
I may look weak and hopeless, I possess valuable gifts within me,
But you will never know unless you look at me, and see me,
See me as I really am.
You look away from me, because the label that you see in me
has blinded you from seeing my special gifts.
Look beyond my label and see the beauty I posses within me.
I am a human being with special gifts to share just like
you.
You look away from me because all you see in me is
hopelessness and incapabilities.
Look at me closely and unmask the veil of despair,
You will discover my inner strength and special gifts, when
you look at me.
You look away from me because all you see is frailty,
You don't know what you are missing by not looking beyond my
disability to discover my abilities,
Oh what a discovery of my special talents you will find.
You look away, because all you see is my weakness.
It hurts me so deeply inside when you look away.
Action speaks louder than words.
I am a human being with feelings just like you.
You look away from me because all you see in me is misery.
I am a human being with special gifts and talents too,
Call me by my name, listen to my voice see me as I am,
I am a person with gifts to share, just like you.
Don't look away from me, look past my inability and discover
my abilities.
Although I may look weak and frail to you, I need you to
believe in me as I believe in you.
Together we will contribute our gifts to the well being of
our communities.
Together we will turn disabilities to abilities, and make our
dreams come true.
Don't look away from me, now look at me with a difference.
As you look at me truly and deeply, I feel a sense of
accomplishment.
The special gifts that I possess, you will discover and it
will astound you.
I am the voice on the radio, the reporter at the TV station,
The seamstress that sews your clothes, the baker that bakes
your cakes,
The carpenter that makes your chairs, the athlete at special
Olympic,
The advocate for your children, the DJ at the local night
club,
The guest speaker on special occasion,
The mail sorter at the post office, the secretary at the
Doctor's office
See me as I really am, I have my special talents and
gifts, because I am just like you.
Don't look away from me, let's work together, with
hopefulness
And share our gifts and talents too!
Together we will make our dreams a reality.
Given the right support and opportunities,
I will make a significant contribution to the betterment of
my community,
You will discover my special gifts and abilities
Because you believe in me and above all
Because you look past my disability
Thank you for not looking away, you have strengthened my
hopes and dreams. Because I'm just like you
Source: Family Service Toronto