Different Like Me
Different Like Me
By Kathleen Freeman
My name is Thomas and I’m different you see,
But a whole lot of others are different like me.
There are kids different colors and kids different sizes,
Kids who win contests and kids who win prizes.
Kids good at math, science, spelling or reading,
Kids good with drawing, at games, or at beading.
There are kids who catch baseballs, and kids not so fast,
Kids scared of nighttime, or dreams from their past.
There are kids who feel squashed when their pants are too tight,
And kids who feel itchy when a tag isn’t right.
There are kids who will wiggle, both sons and daughters,
There are kids who are thinkers, designers and plotters.
There are kids who spin round, or jiggle their hands,
And kids who have crowded teeth in bands.
There are kids who dance, and kids who sing,
Kids who learn about most everything.
Some are in wheelchairs and some kids get sick,
That’s just how we are, and we don’t get to pick.
And some kids remember and some kids forget,
Some kids are glued to their TV set.
Some kids read maps, and some don’t, I bet.
That’s how we were made, and you get what you get.
Some kids pretend, and some like things real,
But really it isn’t that big of a deal.
My name is Thomas and I’m different they say,
My friends are all too, and I like it that way.
we were blessed to be able to adopt a different child, and I praise God everyday that He choose us to help guide and help this special little boy in his life adventure.
I have two wonderfully different little boys who definitely make life worthwhile! Although we have “moments of insanity” where it’s difficult to get through the day they have taught me that life is a gift and that normal is boring!!
We just lost our sister on June 2nd. She was 22 yrs old and had Rett Syndrome. One thing that my brothers and I agree on and spoke about at her service is how this little girl in her ‘different’ body that could not walk and could not talk taught us all more about life, love and acceptance better than any parent, teacher or pulitzer prize winner ever could. Her differences made us all special. We know she is dancing in heaven now, do a twirl for me sis!
Dear Jessica,
I am sorry for your loss but I an happy for the gift that your sister has bestowed upon you. Part of our own journey is to learn and pass it on. Thank you for sharing such a personal story.
To Karen, who wrote: “I wish teachers could appreciate their students differences, and
treat them like the special individuals they are,
rather than wanting them all to be the same, and
not appreciating those who speak out and share their differences with others. The teachers could learn from these kids!”
Please, don’t lump ALL teachers together in your assumption that we don’t treat our kids like individuals! We are teaching them to BE individuals and not follow the crowd as much as possible. Middle school students, particularly, are at an age where they are coming into their own, defining their own character, and more often than not, they choose to define their character by the examples of others. We, their teachers, try to be the examples they need, but oftentimes they choose to follow their peers’ examples and end up in a lot of trouble. The best we can do is teach them what we know about being individuals ourselves and hope they find their own way.
Everyone in the world IS different. Not one other individual in the entire world has your unique genetic make up. Finger prints?? No one else in the world has yours. They belong to you, and no other!! It does not matter if a person has disabilities, or not. Thank God we are all made completely different with our own special abilities, and talents. For God has given every soul something special to share with the world, and the people around them!! :)We can all learn from each other. Great poem.
Let’s all celebrate the difference! I know that’s how my family tries to live.
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