Erin Field: Two years of being a Quadriplegic

A poem that I wrote. Lyrics below:

It’s obvious
That becoming a quadriplegic would change your life
Your independence, your relationships, stabbing you like a knife

But yet
Isn’t it crazy— how it changes your mind set?

I used to admire Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, Rihanna
I used to care about the silly drama
But compared to the ones who have made me feel alone
Today I am inspired by Steph Aiello, Laura Beck, and Jordan Bone

Having the best clothes, the best car, the best house
—But today, am I able to get my fork to my mouth?

Having hand function would be nice, walking would be even better
But I choose to disregard societies “acceptance” letter and become my own trendsetter

When you wake up and pull your blanket over you at night
For me, pulling my blanket up is a never ending fight

You sit up out of bed in the morning, ready to start your day
Stretching your arms and putting your two feet on the floor
But, do people understand that I can’t even use my core?

Having dysreflexia, sweating uncontrollably
You wouldn’t think something as simple as that would take such a toll on me

Losing control of your body temperature is painful
When I’m so cold that I can’t move, that’s when I really feel disabled

Did you have a bad day because you didn’t wake up to your alarm?
Try only being able to get around by pushing a wheelchair with one good arm

For me, nerve pain is the absolute worst
I wake up with my hands burning and just pray this injury was reversed

Some people say: Grab this, pick this up, why can’t you do it YOURSELF?
It’s not so easy when you’re in pain—you begin to doubt yourself.

My mom has never left my side, all the way until year two
I know for a fact I couldn’t have done this without you.

I told my boyfriend he didn’t have to stay, thinking he would be horrified
I thank God I was so lucky that he never left my side.

This injury has left me with more than one scar
But it has truly showed me who my true friends are.

I am not trying to get sympathy, I am showing you a perspective
Be grateful for what you have and just live and let live

But if this ever changing world in which we live in makes you give in and cry
Just remember, everyone has bad days, it WILL get better— keep your head held high

You do not get to choose the events that interrupt your life
But it’s the way you handle them that counteracts your strife

Pain will change you more profoundly than good fortune or success
And suffering changes your perception of life nonetheless

In all honesty, having a spinal cord injury is extremely scary
But the scars on our backs tell stories that no books have the spine to carry

Pain is temporary but the victory lasts forever
No matter who you are, we are all humans, we are all in this together.

Видео Erin Field: Two years of being a Quadriplegic канала Erin Field