Step Inside My World

An invitation to Maria Miller (Cons)

Minister for Disabled People

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will see

A world of differing greys is there

No colours no, definitely not for me

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will see

My huband, myself and my children

Children One and Two, but thankfully not Three

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will see

Many differing flashes of light

Representing the physical pain hidden well inside of me

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will see

An individual with a (promising) career in banking

That is no longer there for me

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will see

A person who has worked all her life

But is no longer able, so it's DLA for me

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will find

Someone fighting for her dignity

And the sanity of her mind

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder where you will be

When I tuck my children in at night

Knowing I can never ever hug them tight

Step inside my world, Maria

And I wonder what you will find

A bewildering array of drugs for me

That will keep me going (I hope) until I leave

If you step inside my world, Maria

My life is not as it would seem

An independent woman now stuck at home

Relying on others for help, poor little me

Inside what has come to live with me, Maria

Is a monster much much bigger than you would believe

Its name is Mr Parkinson's

An old mans disease I thought (stupid stupid me)

So if you come into my world, Maria

You may find life is not at all as it seems

Each day is a struggle to move at will

Even to an ordinary person such as me

What would life be like for you, Maria

Were you such an unfortunate as me?

You cannot imagine it can you, my dear

Until it happens to one such as you (maybe) and not unlucky me

But I am one of the lucky ones, Maria

I have a pension so you see

My mortgage – it is history

Oh so so lucky me

Others are not so fortunate, Maria

If only you could see

Their homes they wont afford to keep

It'll be a struggle for them, but not for lucky me

So don't step inside my world, Maria

Don't imagine what life is like for me

Even though some days it's filled with laughter

It's laughter mixed definitely with that of fear

So don't step inside my world, Maria

To witness the world of horrors awaiting me

Some days I can move and dance through life

But it is not always there, believe me, believe me

I don't want you in my world, Maria

I don't want to be there either - no not me

It is definitely not a bed of roses

Poor poor little old me

Dedicated to the passing of the Disability Living Allowance

and to all those who will suffer financially as a result

Jo Collinge

Person with Parkinson's

Diagnosed July 2010

Retired from Lloyds TSB January 2011