Humanity Platform

This post is in memory of Ann-Marie Smith; a woman with cerebral palsy who tragically and unnecessarily died recently. May she rest in peace. I Cry and Am Not Heard Groups of people go out with binoculars in search for that one rare bird Yet I cry and am not heard. Causing pain with a cane was outlawed years ago Yet I feel the bite day and night.  My soul is not dirty but I wait and wait to be clean; You're standing right there but I am not heard or seen. I do not ask for much even though I miss human touch. All I need is what's fair, just one person to care. I hear you call me Ann-Marie Smith, I am not heard. I listen to you whisper Tessa but I am not heard. You shout Tony but I am not heard. I am many people with disabilities, I am not heard. How many times have people with disabilities been told, 'It's different than it was back then, it will never happen again'. It's 2020; you have a vision of understanding and care

Due to surgery I literally have metal in my spine but each day I mentally replace it with bamboo so I can be more flexible if something goes wrong. Having a disability means that a lot of things are physically out of my control. This gives me a unique perspective in times of crisis. This is what I have learnt. When I need to stay calm, I visualise myself travelling a dirt road with Jesus, Seneca, and a Zen monk because they say modelling behaviour is what you become. The green reed which bends with the wind is stronger than the mighty oak that breaks in the storm. ~ Confucius For me, even the simplest task can be a cause of frustration but instead of breaking and giving up I will stop, become one with the moment, breathe, and try again. This method has led to a simple success like opening my front door and my greatest success of opening night of a play. I have learnt these methods through an amalgamation of Christian, Stoic, and Zen traditions. If you are interested in f