I am more than you think you see

I may not see as well as you do

And I may stumble a time or two

But I find delight in refrain

Feel sunshine, hear rain

As well, nay better, than you do.

I may not be formed in a way that you are used to

And my clumsiness may slow down our games too

But you should see what I do

With a paintbrush or two

I could teach you about beauty. And poetry too

 I may not be the brightest in my batch

And my speech may not be up to scratch

Though my thoughts are confined

I am loving and kind

My heart is open, generous and quite a catch.

Your words, I don’t hear them at all

And music can never hold me in thrall

But I can feel all you feel

And see all you reveal

I can’t hear; doesn’t mean I can’t sense it all.

By Dr Upreet Dhaliwal, Professor of Ophthalmology, Medical Humanities Group, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi.

The poem was written by her on occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) 2011 for my group 'Infinite Ability'.

Photo credit:

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2125