I’m an advocate for persons with disabilities and invite you to read my poem:

Why are you afraid?


I carry no contagion.

I do not bite or scratch.

I have no wounds in body.

My mind is quite intact.



I am alive.



By God's grace and healing.

You would know if only you spoke.

I will tell you about my God.

I will tell you about His yoke.



I am able.



To hear God's Word.

To worship Him–And pray.

To tell the old, old story.

That brought me to this day.



I sit in a wheelchair.



Do you see it?

Is it all you see?

I have a voice. Will you listen?

I am a person. Will you see me?



I step out in faith to tell you:



My heart cries every time you pass me by.

I long to share my glee.

You stare. You assume.

You don't see. Me.



I am a person with a disability.



I am not a disability.

                                                      © 2009 Berta Dickerson