Reposting this, on National Poetry Day, from something I wrote a while back, just because I watched A World Without Down’s Syndrome last night and it got me thinking about, amongst many other things, what family and diversity mean (scroll down for a summary of what I thought…). Most doctors (academic and otherwise) discuss learning disability in terms of medicine and a list of conditions, in contrast to personality and character, so:
The Fabulous Raana Salman
What does “puck off” mean, you asked,
When a playground jibe you misheard,
It’s an insult, we said, with a bittersweet laugh,
And “puck” is quite a rude word.
You’re older now, and more in the know,
And you’re still just brilliantly funny,
We love how you call my other half “bro”,
And our mother is always called “mummies!”
You constantly amaze us with all that you do,
You garden, you cook and you bake,
You’re a music fan who likes her tunes loud,
Full volume – bloody early – at dawn break.
You love Chinese food and movie nights in,
And sometimes the pub if it’s near,
Remember your fury when we ordered you juice,
And you indignantly cried: “I want beer!”
“You’re fried!” you shout, knowingly wrong,
After watching The Apprentice on telly,
You say it when angry or to make us smile,
And it shows you’ve fire in your belly.
You’re creative and busy and do stuff we can’t,
You’ve woven and painted and grown,
I love having you stay so you’re able to see
How your art brightens up my home.
You’re thoughtful with gifts, matching present to person,
(You know I like peppermint tea)
We joke how “mummies” foots the bill sometimes,
And you say of your gifts: “They’re for free!”
You love baggy sweatshirts, they comfort and cloak,
You categorically refuse a posh frock,
You know your own mind, you’re fabulous and kind,
And basically Raans, you rock.
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And, some (very) brief thoughts on Sally Phillips’ documentary here:
1/3 TY #worldwithoutdowns: @sallyephillips (+ @DownsSideUp + others) raise qs relevant to many #genetic conditions + #learningdisabilities
— Saba Salman (@Saba_Salman) October 6, 2016
2/3 #worldwithoutdowns not B&W issue (info, knowledge important) but my #sibling has #fragilexsyndrome; some attitudes appall me ('burden'?)
— Saba Salman (@Saba_Salman) October 6, 2016
3/3 obvious but true that 140 char tweets, 60m doc + column inches don't reflect a complicated debate – they start it #worldwithoutdowns
— Saba Salman (@Saba_Salman) October 6, 2016