I have stared death down and won.

I have accomplished things they said I couldn’t.

I have exceeded expectations of success.

I have proven that limits are nothing more than guidelines, that aren’t rigid and are ment to be tested.

I have done all of this inspite of a TBI- that is traumatic brain injury for those who are curious to know-

I have done all of this inspite of not always knowing what letters jumbled together in a space on paper mean.

I have done all of this inspite of a headache with migraine proportions on a daily and continual basis.

I have done my best to mask or hide my illness to make you comfortable.

I have pretended all was well, when it simply wasn’t, to participate in your world.

Those who know my story call me Wonder woman, a miracle- magic, even.

For those that don’t, I’d like to introduce you to someone, who is fast becoming my best friend-

And that is The Americans With Disabilities Act-

Because obviously,  you need to know that you can’t require me to push myself beyond the limits of my capabilities-

And telling me to memorize these lines in order to participate, is discrimination in fact.

And just so you know, I don’t have to explain what ails me so, just because your eyes are closed and you’re blind to what everyone else already knows.

I have already decided that I am great- and this is true whether you agree or not.

I don’t wear a Cape, can’t change water into wine and I will never levitate…

But I am magic just the same

And this time, I’m refusing to play this game.

I must take a stand for others like me, whose voice hasn’t been found.

Every disability isn’t seen and some come with no sound.

And while I’m on this warpath of advocacy, let me just take a moment to remind you of some poetry greatness, who never memorized a line and always had a stand handy-

Their poems neatly waiting to be read to crowds of thousands from near and far…

Maya Angelou, name, name, name never memorized a stanza, yet performed to sold out stadiums and intimate settings- would you demand of them what you are of me?

We are all great in our own right.

Don’t take away from the things I have done, because they don’t fit into the circle of norm you have imagined or created.

This time, I will not be abated.

I will not let your words of sugar and syrup force me to be great outside of what I am capable.

This time, I will read from my book and not be ashamed of what my brain simply cannot do.

This time, I will collect what is due.

I am Wonder Woman.

I will yield this magic lasso of truth

And you will soon see it too.