Yesterday, before we planned the future,
I watched you scan the room
and discretely re-arrange it
to make his wheelchair entry as smooth as your own.
As the room talked,
you led the listening to him
and planted your thoughts on the borders
of his lifetime garden.
At some signal I did not see,
the two of you left and returned as one,
either having been to the toilet
or to visit the Queen.
At lunch, you invited me to sit with you
and share his jokes
and learn that food can be thereabouts
and still sustain.
That night, I recited my mantra,
‘To plan is to cease to be a victim’,
but as I lay there sleepless in the dark
I heard myself whistling.
In the morning, I arrived before everyone else,
so I could clear his pathway
and laughed as he rolled in, without you,
waving his plan like a flag of independence.
Six Crooked Highways 
What was your inspiration for this pleasant bit of verse?
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Many years ago (perhaps even before electricity was invented) I worked as a consultant to the disability sector, specialising in the development of strategic plans. A key outcome was to directly involve people with a disability in planning for their organisation’s future. Through that work I met inspiring young man called Trevor, whose body was twisted like a question mark and who had great difficulty speaking but had a mind like a steel trap. He had a very respectful woman CEO who was determined that his thoughts would be considered seriously and he became one of the most delightfully challenging participants I have been privileged to work with.
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Reblogged this on Autism Candles Blog.
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An interesting take. Reminds us to take the disabled person’s wishes into consideration. Thanks!
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Thanks, Hobbo.
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