One evening in January 2021 I was working on finishing one of my first songs. I had had a conversation with my supervisor at work that day (I work as a movement therapist in an organisation providing creative day centre workshops for adults with learning disabilities) and part of the conversation was about how people with learning disabilities are so often underestimated and seen as having little to contribute. This conversation was still resounding in me while I was working on the other song, and instead of finishing it I wrote the lyrics for ‘Just Because I am Me’ in about 30 minutes. I finished the melody and harmony in the same session and since I played it at my first zoom concert a couple of weeks later it has been a favourite. I also played it at a few work events where it really resonated with colleagues who work in the same field as me.
It resonates with me personally as I have experienced being underestimated and dismissed on numerous occasions due to having had a stammer since I was a child. I know the feeling well…. But I didn’t write it about me, I wrote it in the voice of someone who has a learning disability – to someone who thinks they are normal. If you want to play the song you can download the song with chords here: Just Because I Am Me by Saraphir Camille – CHORDS
Just Because I am Me – Lyrics
Yes, I might look different, I might not walk quite straight, You might not understand me, or I might sometimes make you wait. You might think that I’m not worth much, but believe me that’s not true, For once you really meet me then I have much to give to you. Because I can still laugh, and I can still cry, And I am still there when you look into my eye. And I can still feel, and I can still touch, And just because I am me, I am good enough. I know you might not find it easy to know exactly what to say, But please take time to meet me, and don’t just look away. I might have a disability, but there’s still much I can do, So please do not dismiss me just because I’m not like you. Because I can still laugh, and I can still cry, And I am still there when you look into my eye. And I can still feel, and I can still touch, And just because I am me, I am good enough. For you know I can still see you even if you think I don’t; And I can still deeply know you even if you think I won’t, Because it shows in how you meet me, I can smell it from afar, For your mask won’t work with me, I know exactly who you are. Because I can still laugh, and I can still cry, And I am still there when you look into my eye. And I can still feel, and I can still touch, And just because I am me, I am good enough. © Saraphir Camille Legind