How can it be that just one day
Could change my life forever
Steadily growing, burning fire
Within me, leaving never

A life so full of friends
A family who'd unite
I hope they'd always be there
To help me win this fight

What started out so positive
Slowly fell apart
School and friends just disappeared
My family broke my heart

My pain is real and constant
Although others aren't so sure
Why should I have to prove to them
This monster has no cure

I sometimes wish I had the power
To let others take my place
To become me for just one day
And see the frustration on their face

Frustration that they cannot share
In normal daily life
Why wind and rain and sunshine
Cut through them like a knife

I wish my life was just like theirs
Without the need for help
Independance regained, my life restored
Without the need for help

Chronic pain is "secret"
A condition hid away
From those who chose not to look
One I choose not to display

My pain is real, forever here
A reminder of the cost
Of fate and events conspiring
Of my independance lost

Just because I don't look ill
Because i've come this far
Remember that it hurts to not
Ask me how things are

A simple word can mean so much
More than you'll ever know
To know you care, you're always there
Though i've still so far to go.

added*
Poem
by ali12

Dear snowboarder,

What a beautiful poem.

Good job.

Thanks for sharing with us. Have you shared this with your English teacher or any other adults in your personal life yet?

You take care of yourself, try to stay warm.

XOXOX Sandy

What a beautiful poem, Jeremy...You are an incredible writer.

Sandy

So much, in fact, I could have written it myself. Am thankful someone out there took the time and effort to do it

Hi Snowboarder,
Thank you for the heartfelt poem that comes from the wisdom you already possess in your youth...
Poetry is a universal language that can reach so many..

Keep writing and maybe even set it to music...
Stay warm during these days of winter chill...

Hope4thebest

Good work
straight from the heart, and emotionaly true,RSD seems to run a course of destruction ,IT is so hard to stay focused and to keep ones composure, It is a disease not for the weak,or it is to make the weak strong. People do not understand the constant pain with wasting away of the flesh and emotions and zeal,,Some people and Dr;s think that we have psychological problems such as bipolar to M.S They do not know or realizethat it is the constant pain and stress on an everyday level without a day off. I sometimes compare it to haveing a pit bull hanging from my hip,or my hand caught in a slamed car door,with no one to come by and help.

Just to clarify.........M.S. is not a psychological illness.

Kitty I don't he meant that M.S..is psychological. He was just making a reference.

This is a beautiful poem- thank you for sharing it with us. I think I have shared my writings with maybe 2 people! Somehow that seems to be one of the most personal things.

I would just like to reiterate that a problem is a problem no matter what it is. And it doesn't make our problems any better when we compare them to something that someone else has. Bipolar disorder can cause intense suffering- it's just different from RSD. MS can cause intense suffering- it's just different from what we have. There is no better or worse. I remember one of my friends breaking an ankle and him saying "Oh man, I won't talk about this because what you have is so much worse." My response to something like this has always been, no- if something bothers you or causes you pain, then it is important.

I'd just like to put that out there. While this is a place for us to share our feelings about RSD, it doesn't make anything better to do that at the expense of others.

Lynn

Thank you so much for posting this poem. It was outragiously beautiful. It hit home with me as well. I do feel like you. Keep sharing if you can and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Tracy