Poem: I Am Me by Cal Turner

I wrote this poem when my daughter was a little girl. She's 23 now and is a full time wheelchair user, but at the time she walked with the aid of callipers (leg braces) and a walker. It used to frustrate me so much when people used to stop and stare at her. I couldn't understand why they couldn't see the beautiful, determined little girl I could see. I was (and still am) so proud of my daughter.

I Am Me

Why do you stop to look and stare

When you see me standing there

Why can't you see that I am too

Just another child like you

My legs are weak, my will is strong

All I want is to belong

Callipers help me stand up tall

Without them I know I should fall

I laugh, I talk, I walk, I cry

My steps are slow but I get by

Life is as full as it can be

I am glad that I am me

So when you stop to look and stare

Don't pity me, just treat me fair

For I am just a child like you

A little girl who loves life too

By Cal Turner

(copyright Cal Turner 2015)