This poem was inspired by comments from two Moms in the DMD Forum…

Ø Has anyone ever noticed that people are always willing to hold the door for you when your babies are in the stroller and these same people look the other way if you are struggling with the door and a child in a wheelchair?

Ø I laughed out loud when I read about people saying to you, "I donated to Jerry last year." That is exactly the kind of comment that stumps me when people say it. I simply don't know what to say."

I Gave To Jerry by Rich Clingman and YOU (06/13/01)

The stroller was stuck,
Couldn’t get through the door.

I backed up again
And pushed hard some more.

A man came over,
He ran pretty far,

He opened the door,
Carried bags to the car.

Isn’t it great?
The gift people give

When their hands do some work
That touch how we live?

I don’t understand
How things change with time.

Is it just me?
Am I out of my mind?

I’m still pushing my son,
Though he’s grown quite a bit,

And the wheelchair he’s in
Never quite seems to fit.

But, my struggle’s not doors,
Though they’re still in the way,

It’s people! They stare!
Or look the other way!

God, why’s this happening?
Don’t they understand?

The ones they’re staring at
Could use a hand!

“I gave to Jerry,”
A man said with a smile.

His brow went up,
And he waited a while.

My mouth dropped open,
And now I had the stare.

The door was still shut
And he was just standing there!

Did he think our lives changed
When his gift went their way?

Sure, that may help “tomorrow”,
But, I’m living “today”.

The man’s eyes rolled ‘round.
When I said not a word,

He shrugged his shoulders and turned.

Two kids ran over,
A boy and a girl,

The boy held the door,
My son’s head twirled.

“He really is cute,
He’s got great hair.”

Now my son had a smile,
And he had the stare!

His face was still red,
Though no longer in rage,

He was blushing at her!
She was his age.

My son gave his thanks,
And he told her his name,

Those kids came over,
And we played some games.

Their gift, they may think,
Was less than the man’s,

But today what we needed
Were some helping hands.

If that man ever comes
Again my way,

This time I know
What I’m gonna say:

“How nice you spent
For those people in need,

Would you mind some action?
Just one deed?

“If you need to stare,
Please stare at the floor,

And since you’re here,
Could you open the door?

“I really am grateful
There are men just like you

For they do need the money
For all that they do.

“And the world needs action,
Beyond a blank stare.

See, Jerry’s not pushing
This wheelchair!”

On the more serious side…

I hope you understand that us “outsiders” are nervous—for many reasons. For most of us, our “I gave to Jerry” comments are simply our meager attempts to start a conversation. I am pretty sure I made the comment myself many years ago. And I know I have been guilty of the stares. For me, it was mostly trying to understand how someone could have the strength that is so obvious and yet so difficult to comprehend. And yet fear kept me from approaching.

This article is from Living For Today, Preparing For Tomorrow. From Parents. To Parents. A Parent's Guide to Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This book is dedicated to the parents and guardians who battle against their worries, who must prepare for tomorrow and yet grab hold of today, striving to make today the best day for their children and family.

"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." MATTHEW 6:34 NIV

This article may be freely copied and distributed by print or email provided it is copied and distributed in its entirety (including this Dedication & Copyright notice) and is distributed at no cost. Any other use (including publishing on the web) is prohibited without prior written authorization.

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