You say you know

You say you know
And tell me that
I, who live with a disability,
Know less than
You who don’t
About living with a disability.

Educating me, are you?

I wonder if you know
That sharing what you suppose you know
Is a form of
Silencing those with disabilities
Especially when you render
Your supposition after we speak,
Tossing it out like a net to catch
Those of us who wander astray

Let me tell you what I know
As I extricate myself
From the net you’ve cast.

If you don’t want to hear
What I have to say
As a person who lives with a disability
Take responsibility for it.
Don’t hide behind
Superior suppositions
Based on theories and extrapolations.

If you know
Why did you ask
Me in the first place?

Copyright 2008 Ruth Harrigan