This is a poem created in the interdisciplinary course: “Exploring Ability and Disability Through Performance: Autism Spectrum Disorders” taught by Assistant Professor, Amber Chenoweth and Assistant Director of Strategic Academic Initiatives and Study Away Coordinator, Brittany Jackson ’04, M.A. ‘15. Students were asked to read a scientific article and then write a creative piece as a reflection of the article.
This poem was inspired by “Depression in mothers and fathers of children with intellectual disability” in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.
Parental Depression
By: Tierra Moore ‘16
I need to be a mother, but I have seemed to failMy child is not like me but no one knows what that entails.I love my son more than the stars in the skyBut I have lost my shineAnd I know I am no longer fine.I want nothing more than to hug himAnd for he to love me backBut that will never happen, for that I will always lack.My husband does not share this emotion that I have hadHe laughs with him and reads with himHe is such a perfect dadI want to be more like him and accept my sons for himThere are so many stigmasAnd all eyes end up on meMy son is more than an enigmaBut the thoughts of ignorant people, come flying back at meI need to get away, this pain is just too muchBut the thought of losing both of them would hurt I have a hunchI told my doctor my self worthHe prescribed me meds to smileHe told me not to stress so muchIf only I could be more versatileI could be the mother my son needsAnd not constantly want to flee