OUR KID

Cherry

By Linda Wigzell Cress

Fri, 18 Oct 2013
  • 6332 reads
19 comments
 

His life defines true bravery

Our kid.

He lives with demons in his head

Well hid;

Fights daily to defeat his fears

His way;

He takes his meds and goes to school

Each day.

 

Self-taught to read at four years old -

So bright.

He's just ten now; what can be done?

Not right.

Autistic, epileptic child

What can we do?

They help him - then the funding stops!

What's new?

Inner struggles daily fought.

So unfair.

He tries;  but when support's required

It isn't there.

 

Certificate 15
Poem
POETRY
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Linda.

He sounds wonderful and it's so frustrating when you find you have a special bright star and then the support needed is all but withdrawn. I really understand this and found your poem very moving in its honest simplicity.

Bee

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thanks Bee.  He is simply  the light of my life and I admire him more each day as I watch his inner struggles. Life in this country becomes more and more unfair.. 

Linda

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Linda, The simplicity of your verse makes what you have to say even more moving.

Our youngest son suffered from Aspergers' syndromw and was very musical, perfect pitch, composing, innovating at a young age. The complexity of trying to understand, and understanding that others didn't — especially as at that time there was less general appreciation, means I have can empathise somewhat though aware that each situation is probably far different from others.
Sometimes help came in unusual,  unexpected ways – and  God's support was there though sometimes we were not so aware of it! Keeping trying to share with him and helping him to think through some of his behaviours helped. As he's now in his 20s, he's been able to share some of the things we'd not understood, and he would testify that himself sorting out his own faith-walk and prayer life has certainly helped. Quite a while ago I did do a verse about that
http://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/looking-back-%E2%80%A6-supportin...

with love and prayer for your whole family situation. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thank you Rhiannon, you are very kind.  Aspergers is a difficult one, the supersize talent mixed with the social drawbacks of autism, and for our kid, epilepsy too. I marvel at his corage and determination and efforts to conform every day.  I'll pop over and read your link.

Linda

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Not easy for 'our kid', not with support and harder for all concerned when the support rug is pulled from under your feet. 'Not right' as you say. A deeply felt and hard- hitting poem.       Elsie

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Elsie.  The so-called caring agencies think nothing of changing things for these kids at a moments notice.  They have no idea what this does to them.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

Linda

Submitted by catherine poarch on

He's lucky to have you for his Mum. We have to battle hard.  Keep battling. smiley

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thanks for reading, Catherine.  He is my Grandson, and lives very nearby so I have a lot to do with his upbringing.  As a school governor and nursery teacher for many years, don't worry Catherine, I sure will battle on for all of the families with a special child to love.

Linda

Submitted by catherine poarch on

He's a lucky grandson then! I had to fight to get a statement for my daughter, because of severe dyslexia and dyscalculia, also difficulties which I'm sure you know are undervalued and underrated. It took years and I knew other people who gave up because of lack of confidence when faced with the council administrators. It's so unfair. I teach students with learning difficulties and they are always suffering cut-backs. All the best of luck to your lovely grandson. 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thanks Catherine.  I'm not advertising here - but you might be interested to know that my 'Puddle Pixies' series of stories (on here) were originaslly inspired by Jack several years ago.  I had always been a storyteller and each Christmas now I do a Christmas Pixies story for my grandkids.  In the intervening years Jack invented a whole Puddle Pixies Civilisation for me; history, geography, currency and so on!  Such is the power of Aspergers.  Good luck to you and yours too.               

Linda

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thanks so much for the Cherries, Editors.  This subject is so close to my heart.

Linda

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

My grandson learns to live with his, albeit, mild autism, and so I take my hat off to yours.  

It hasn't been easy for him and he too has fought, and is fighting many battles, most of them on a daily basis.  Never more so than now because he has just started at Warwick University reading Philosophy, which just shows you how self-belief and determination can and do win through.

I wish your grandson all the luck in the world, and echo, of course, all that has been said re local authorities,etc.

More than well done on the cherries.  Poems written from the heart can't be beaten.

Tina

 

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Sorry for his struggles... his attitude clearly counters so much... your love clearly enhances the value of his achievements... all the best to both of you... take care... Rob... btw congrats on this piece, a worthy recipient of bright cherries.

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thanks Tina, it seems we have more in common than the Opium!  (which I have to wear always now as it is one of Jack's security things).  Thanks so much for the comment, you must be very proud of your special grandson.  These kids are our future.

Linda

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Thank you so much for commenting Rob. These kids need all the help - prayers - poems they can get!

Linda

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Abbasoulootly Linda.. yes

Submitted by The royster on

 

Powerful stuff Linda. No wonder your so proud of him.  MOre well deserved Cherries.

So right about support though.  We are able to spend Trillions on foreign aid but help our own? No chance.

He'll go far with your love nd support.  Roy 


 

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Wow, Linda,

This is an exceptionally fine poem in my book.  I love the simplicity of language and structure that if read by those in authority might just stir someone's conscience.  Your message is all the more powerful by being simply stated.  Love the poem hate the reality of the situation.

Thinking  of you

Moya

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Aw thanks Moya that's a great comment.  Jack yesterday overcame his nerves (he's had a bad time lately fits and all)  and yesterday performed at school as narrator in a short Misummer Nights Dream.  He was fantastic, strutted his stuff, kept it all together.  Soooo proud.

Linda