When my Parkinson's acts up
And people stare at me
Talk only to my helper
Cut conversation to two from three
I say, "Hi, my legs may not work
But I still have a brain you see"
For anyone's chronic illness
Book covers only are we
Don't judge us on that alone
We still have some ability.
So exchange mental places with us
Experience how illness can be
Isolating, negative, and insultive
From others who are illness free