I am a man
I am a man
I am a man born of a woman who was fit and healthy
I am a man born of a woman who had an unseen virus
I am a man whose father worked in a shop
I am a man whose father worked in a factory
I am a man whose birth brought pleasure to my parents
I am a man whose birth brought pleasure to my parents, but also pain
I am a man who grew as most men grow
I am a man whose growth took a different path
When I was five, I went to the local school
When I was five, I travelled 10 miles to school
I walked to school
I went in a van
I played football
I cannot walk, I use a wheelchair
I am ordinary
Apparently, I am special
My parents made me feel special
My experiences made me feel anything but special
I went to University and gained my degree
I went to a ‘Centre’.
I go to the local pub
I can’t get into the local pub
I am a teacher
I cannot talk
I have trouble finding a parking spot
That’s no problem for the driver of my van
I am thirty, married with children
I am thirty and still live with my parents
I look after my children
My parents look after me.
I will live long and see my children married
I may live long and see my parents die
My children will see I’m alright as I grow old
What will I do when my parent’s die?
Malcolm Henshall
December 2018