If I Could


If I could turn my head and look into your eyes,
Would you see me?
If I could stretch out my arm, and touch your hand,
Would you feel me?
If I could move my legs and walk with you,
Would you follow me?
If I could talk to you about the things you like,
Would you sit with me?
If I could cry tears of sadness when things go wrong,
Would you comfort me?
If I could be a shoulder for you to cry on,
Would you lean on me?
If I could hear the music, and feel it’s beat,
Would you dance with me?
If I could tell of adventures, of holidays spent,
Would you share yours with me?
If I could paint a picture, of how I felt,
Would you listen to me?
If I could do these things, would you be my friend, would you laugh with me?
If I could do these things, would you be my friend,
Would you want to be?


Pam Johnson

My dreams


I know that I’m disabled, but there are things that I’d like to do.
And maybe if you’d help a little, my dreams might just come true.
I don’t just want to sit here, and sleep my days away.
I want to live my own life. I want to have my say!

I’d like to be impulsive, and not be the one to be told,
I’d like to make my own decisions, I wish I could take some control.
I’d like to wake up early, and decide what I’ll do today.
I don’t want this to be up to you, I’d like to do it my way.

I’d like to do a parachute jump, and feel myself fly through the sky.
But you’d have to do a risk assessment, and the risk would be far too high.
I’d like to go on a holiday to some exotic and far away place,
But I know I’d need lots of equipment, and it wouldn’t all fit in my case.

I wish I could have a social life, with friends that I don’t have to pay for.
Friends that like me for who I am, when I need them they’d knock on my door.
I’d like to have someone, that I can love, and someone who loves me too,
But I don’t get chance to meet anyone, so the only person I know is you!

I’d love to go to the seaside, feel the sand between my toes,
I’d listen to the waves break, and in the sun I’d doze.
I’d like to dip my hand, into an ice cold, rippling stream,
Or visit Buckingham Palace, and the places I’ve never been!

I’d like to go to the local pub, for a lager and a meal.
But we always go to the café - don’t you realise how I feel?
And on Thursday night it’s jazz night, I’d love to go to that!
But you finish your shift at ten ‘o’ clock,
So there’d be no-one to bring me back!

I’d like to choose eggs for my breakfast and maybe an orange juice too.
I know it’s only a small thing, and it’s probably unimportant to you.
But I’d like to take control of my life, or at least a manageable part,
I just need a little support and help. So please don’t tell me I can’t.

I know that I’m disabled, but there are things that I’d like to do.
And maybe if you’d help a little, my dreams might just come true.
I don’t just want to sit here, and sleep my days away.
I want to live my own life. I want to have my say!


By Pam Johnson

Are you listening to me?

I wish I could have lay in bed, and dreamt the day away!
I had a splitting headache. But I didn’t have a say!
You just pulled back my covers, as I curled up in a ball,
‘Run the bath, I think she’s awake’ you shouted down the hall!

I tried to make a gesture, to make a little sound.
I pulled my knees up to my chest, and tightened my arms around!
I tried to say, in my own way, that I didn’t feel too well.
I pleaded with my eyes to you, but you couldn’t even tell!

You asked me what I’d like to wear; I didn’t have chance to reply!
You would have known that I don’t like wool, if you’d looked me in the eye!
Instead you just proceeded; you dressed me in that sweater.
You didn’t realise it made me itch, that a T-shirt would have been better!

You wheeled me down the corridor, and sat me in the lounge.
I couldn’t see out of the window, so I tried to turn around.
You played the music way too loud, it really hurt my ears!
I’m sure I told you I don’t like rock, I thought I’d made that clear!

You didn’t hear me say to you that I thought the food was bland.
I tried to shout it loud for you, to make you understand.
I’d rather have toast and jam today, but you didn’t give me a choice!
You were talking about your shopping trip, and you didn’t hear my voice!

And did you notice when I was eating, that I would have liked a drink.
A nice sweet coffee, or a cup of tea, but I guess you didn’t think!
You didn’t even look at me, so how could you possibly see?
What’s the point in trying to speak, if you’re not even listening to me?

I wish I could tell you how I feel, to make you understand.
I wish I could tell you I’m feeling down, and I just want to hold your hand!
I know I don’t communicate in the way that you think I should.
But if you took the time to listen to me, in a while I’m sure I could!



By Pam Johnson