For those of us who lead a ‘normal’ life, we can never know the pain and trauma of those who are trapped inside minds and bodies not under their control. Disabilities are sufferings in themselves and when there is no empathy, the agony is doubled. Writer Yashasvi Walia pens these lines from the perspective of a mentally challenged person, who wishes for more understanding and compassion.
HEAR MY WORDS
I see butterflies,
Flying around a toy called globe
Staring at them, I think of my birthday.
Where I’m sitting, dressed in a white robe.
I wish I could touch the stars
But you just cover my eyes and laugh.
I drew a masterpiece, last summer
But my teacher, to her it was naught.
I want to play with the kids downstairs
But my sister, she just wants
Me to stay right there!
I’m not allowed to go outside
I’m not allowed to see the world
For my mom is afraid
That I might make a fuss
All squeezed up in the corner
Where I eat, sleep and pee.
I’m thinking of my birthday
Where I’m opening a gift
The one that says, “H A P P P…. They say I’m just disabled-
Some say I’m a miracle;
Maybe they created these words
Just to hide the fact,
That I’m a bloody limitation to
This cruel world and these ugly minds
Ask yourself, are you really better than I am?
No! Right?
I’ve entered the most crucial stage
Of what society calls, the beautiful “teenage” years…
But you still mock me, for being just a child…
Is it really my fault?
Was it really my choice?
Then why do you call me, “half-a-mind”?
Yashasvi explains:
We want to show that how this society treats a person who is mentally challenged. They’re either just a burden or an embarrassment to their family. So we came up with this idea, to show the feelings of a girl, who is shouting to the society, seeking for love and compassion, who is fighting with the world to tell them, that she is also a human, just a little more innocent, pure and beautiful.
Picture courtesy : Yashasvi Walia
Caption courtesy : Abhishek (alien)
Human society may have evolved but we have failed miserably in our efforts in understanding the differently abled. They do not need our pity- but our love, patience and understanding. The Uncommon Box is doing its bit to bring into the spotlight issues of such sensitivity. Help us by sharing this awareness, to show you really care.
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