neuro-what?!

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, a chance to discover more about neurodiversity and neurodivergent people. So I wrote a poem, based on the things that people in the church have said to me.

neuro-what?!

I don’t really believe in that!

As if it were a doctrine –

a folk tale –

Not a part of who I am.

But none of us enjoys admin!

And so my daily struggles

are dismissed;

I cannot be who I am.

No-one else gets help, why should you?

Needs assessments, adjustments

mean nothing,

Too much effort, who I am.

But if you were forced to choose one …?

Squeeze the neuro-quart into

a pint pot,

No spillage please, who I am.

If you mention it one more time …!

Threats demand conformity,

compliance,

Bullied out of who I am.

To find your place is a myst’ry.

So many gifts, but right now

none we need,

No room here for who I am.

You can do ‘most anything, but

It will cost you ev’rything!

I must choose:

Who you want or who I am.