What we do not understand
Can be frightening.

What we see
We can only compare to what we know.

When explained,
It’s no longer a roadblock,
Though we may never really understand.

This poem is dedicated to Joel, Mattias and Mark,

three men who helped me grow up—to better

understand a strength I may never comprehend.

I Panicked. I Turned. I Ran. by Rich Clingman (June 12, 2001)

I saw a frail old man.
He was scary, but Mommy told me he was just a man like any other.
We talked. He became my friend.
I realized that he was really no different than my own Gramps.

And I grew up.
And I lived life.
And I enjoyed the company of my new friend.

I saw a boy in a wheelchair.
I was frightened and Mommy wasn't there to hold my hand.
I slipped to the side.
I walked away.

I couldn't see myself in that situation.
I couldn't believe that anyone could accept life in that way.

And then I grew up.
I saw we all have challenges.
I got brave and discovered he was not the self-pitying boy I had expected him to be.
I understood that somehow those with greater challenges are given greater strength

than my own—strength, it seemed, I could never comprehend.

And I lived life.
And I accepted those in wheelchairs as equals, as friends.

I saw a man in a wheelchair who could not even breathe on his own!
I panicked!
I turned!
I ran!

No way I could ever see myself in that situation!
It was impossible that anyone could accept life in that way!
I felt sorry for him.
It made me cry.

And I slipped him a few bucks.
And I felt better, so I lived life.

I saw a man in a wheelchair who had a ventilator that gave him breath.
I was curious.
I was rude.
I was turned away.

And I swore I'd never again try to understand.
I was hurt.
I was angry.
But I still lived life.

I saw a man in a wheelchair who had a tool to help him breathe.
I was cautious, apprehensive.
Not wanting to hurt.
Not willing to be hurt.

He helped me understand what it was for, how it worked.
I had to be patient, to wait for his sentences to finish.
He had humor. He had joy. He had life! That life was real!

And I grew up.
And I lived life, understanding more of what I thought I had understood
years before, seeing the strength—though I still could not comprehend it.

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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