Gwen followed her brothers and sisters everywhere like a small fawn follows its herd They roamed the woods and fields near Croswell their tiny town tucked into the thumb of Michigan Gwen played and picked wildflowers But her hands were weakened from an illness as a baby Her speech was slurred one small foot dragged and she fell down often She banged her elbows She bumped her shins Gwen doesn’t need your help Helen Mama called from the porch Mama knew Gwen could do whatever she put her mind to She bruised her knees I never knew I couldn’t do something Gwen Frostic
Gwen was born in 1906 and at that time a child with disabilities usually stayed home But Mama had been a teacher she sent Gwen to school and pushed her to learn In class Gwen hated the glances and giggles She hated the whispers And most of all she hated that the only things other students seemed to notice were the things that made her different It made her want to hide like a frightened chipmunk But instead Gwen gathered up knowledge like a bird builds a nest
