A NARCOLEPTIC'S PRAYER
I question not Your reason for choosing me for this affliction, but ask that you help me bear this burden so that I may serve the purpose that You intended for me. Let me not be BITTER for what I cannot do, but fully appreciate the things in life that others take for granted. When I resent Cataplexi, let me not forget to be thankful that I have the ability to FEEL EMOTIONS, for that loss would be far greater. Forgive me when I complain and help me to forgive those who do not YET understand. But most of all, give me the ENERGY to use the abilities you have given me,, that when my days are ended, I may finally sleep in peace, knowing that I have fulfilled my destiny, ---Anonymous
glitter-graphics.com
YOU LIVE MY LIFE AND I'LL LIVE YOURS
by Lisa Hare
Before you judge me or criticise me to all,
Live my life for a week and then see if you have the gall!
It irritates me, so I'm aware it must others,
Narcoleptics struggle to be understood by their mothers!
Just stop and think, just for a minute,
How difficult this life would be if you were stuck in it.
Nobody wants to waste half their life asleep,
Being alert and active every day are only memories I keep.
I'd love to live your life, just for one week,
You live mine at the same time and then call me a freak!
Try it, go on, be brave, and have a go,
I'd love to be the first to say "I told you so".
I'm not boring or lazy or stupid by default,
A cure or a remedy for years I have sought.
I'd pay any price to have the energy that you do,
My house would be clean & polished, my car would too.
To take my children to the park, first requires a nap,
If we stay just two hours my energy will sap.
I'm tired of disappointing them, I'm tired of it all,
If I could just be normal for a day, I'd have a ball.
Falling asleep in conversation is just SO embarrassing,
Being home alone and isolated is much more my thing.
"Have I passed it on to my kids" is my biggest fear,
They are my everything and all that I hold dear.
It would kill me to think I had cursed them with this,
For them to have a full and happy life is all that I wish.
If you think I can change this, you are terribly wrong,
None of us can fight it, no human is that strong.
It's out of my control, I'm helpless to beat it,
While depression looms like a deep, open pit.
It won't pull me in because I'm not alone in my nation,
There are thousands like me, living a life of limitation.
We reach out to each other, offering love and support,
Feelings that more of this world should be taught.
Despite all we suffer, a sense of humour we keep,
I'm going to pause now because I must have a sleep!
We laugh at ourselves and at each other too,
Before we get laughed at by people like you.
Trying to be understood is our life-long struggle,
while family, friends, jobs and sleep we juggle.
We can't cause you any harm but falling asleep,
So your undeserved criticism you can keep.
If you don't like what you see then simply stop staring,
Instead use the time to learn to be more caring.
If you want to understand us and know what we are,
We are rare and more compassionate than many, by far.
Always taught not to laugh at those less fortunate than myself,
To appreciate how lucky I was to have good health.
To offer help to others and always have empathy,
are the tools that I use to live with narcolepsy
. I rise above it all to offer you some advice,
If you think it could never happen to you.......you'd better think twice!and altho i am straight i total agree with this....