leading

knowing this beautiful child with cerebral palsy for seven years, i was naive enough to think I could advocate for him in some way that would give him a voice. but finally, i've realized that he speaks for himself without words.

so, to the doctors that made him breathe when he came out blue,
to the priests that prayed over him when he was near death,
to the therapists that have tried to make his body function,
to the educators caught in the middle of political struggle,
to the attorneys that argue on his behalf or against him,
to the judges that set legal precedent for henry and others like him,
to the accountants that allocate funds to educational programs,
to the administrators that might consider cutting corners to cut costs,
to the idealistic professors, convinced a modern society
is evolving into a post-modern paradise,
to the citizens that make up henry's surroundings and culture,
to his inquisitive peers that may not yet know him,
to the marketing firms that create campaigns such as: "BE A LEADER"

would you know a leader if you saw one?

i've walked through henry's schools.
i've seen works and images of leaders of men:
the paintings of kandinsky,
the inspiring images of martin luther king jr.
and looking at this picture of henry,
you may soon need room for another leader on those walls.
there's simply no quit in this kid.
i see a leader who's mastered only one word: yes.
no need to acknowledge this,
some people seek respect, while others demand it innately.
henry deserves better than this.
he is you. he is mainstream. he is on his way.
don't bother sayin' no.
he'll get up and march past you,
oblivious to your rules and documentation.

henry's taken a hell of a lot of pain.
so why don't you take another look at henry,
and make way?

— anonymous