Neurodivergent in the Land of the “Free”

By Matthew Berge

Is America the land of the free?
If you are neurodiverse, toe the line.
Is it a crime to think differently?
Maintain the status quo, all will be fine.

Is there hope for those stuck at the bottom?
Struggling day after day to make ends meet,
Anxiety lingers, there is no calm,
Pull up your bootstraps, or sleep on the street.

Going bankrupt from a hospital bill,
Just another day in the USA,
Fall off the wagon, pop another pill,
Someone, somehow, just take this pain away.

I don’t know if I can keep on going,
As long as there is a line for toeing.

About the Author

Matthew is the father of a rambunctious eight-year-old son named Brayden. He fuels his drive to improve the world for future generations, especially in the healthcare sector. Currently, Matthew serves as the SUNY Empire SGA Vice President. He’s a SUNY Empire PRODiG scholar from the 2021–2022 cohort. Matthew will earn his Master of Arts in Social & Public Policy next Spring (2023). Next, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Sociomedical Sciences or Medical Sociology.

I don’t know if I can keep on going,

As long as there is a line for toeing.