Recently it came to my attention
That many mothers of single sons
In my city have been keeping
Away from me because
Of the illness

Who wants to set up their child
With a chronically ill person
Who was bedridden for 2 years

Though I understood it
It made me feel sad
Because ME
Doesn't define me

I'm not the illness
It's not me
It's something I have
I am a woman

Not damaged goods
It can strike anyone
At anytime
Regardless of age
Sex, race, and whatnot

I'm 30 months
Or 2.5 years into recovery
Yes, I've had setbacks
But I keep doing more
Better things

And it is really the loss
Of those people
Because I will make
A great wife
To a man
An amazing mother
To children

There's a lot more to me
Then just the illness
People who cannot see
Past the end of their own noses
Are missing out on amazing things

No one wants to care
For an invalid
But that's the thing about life
You just never know
You may become one just as easily

Remember to treat
People as who they are
Not what they have
We are
Not damaged goods

We're warriors
Heroes
You could learn a thing
Or two from us