I can't believe how incredibly difficult it is to share my writing with you! Haven't we been doing this for more than 10 years now? This is a story that was written in 1998 and was intended to be a children's picture book. It was rejected by 6 publishers. This following is part of the letter I sent with each submission. It is also long before he received his diagnosis of Autism; long before Autism was well known.
My son is four years old. He is developmentally delayed. Because he looks like a regular four-year-old, sometimes people are quick to judge him for things he cannot control. He doesn't know his name. He can finally identify cows and dogs. All other animals are either cows or dogs. He doesn't know his colors or his numbers, typical things for other four-year-olds. He is often left out because he has difficulty understand rules. He is anti-social, even with family members.
His delay prompted me to write this story. Sometimes we are quick to judge. The thing we forget is that these children (and adults) have feelings. Someday my son may be completely normal. When that day comes, I hope that he can remember what it's like to have a disability. 2-23-1998
How would you feel
If you didn't know your name?
How would you feel
If animals all looked the same?
How would you feel
If other kids made fun of you?
How would you feel
If yellow looked like green and blue?
How would you feel
If you couldn't count to ten?
How would you feel
If someone left you out again?
How would you feel
If you were just trying to be good?
How would you feel
If you thought no one understood?
You would feel with your hands
When you reached out for a friend.
You would feel with your feet
When your road seemed to never end.
You would feel with your heart
The same as any other.
Thank goodness someone loves you
Father, mother, sister, brother.
