Jeremy Pratt
February 12, 2021

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM). Each Friday in February, MY Jewish Buffalo’s community spotlight will introduce you to an individual who embodies the values of JDAAIM. This is a project of the Center for Jewish Engagement and Learning’s Belonging Initiative. 

Jeremy Pratt grew up in Amherst and is a proud uncle of two nieces and a nephew.  He loves a variety of music and movies and considers himself to be an abstract/surreal artist. Jeremy has a developmental disability and believes that any challenge can be a great learning experience. He says his greatest accomplishments are living on his own, driving a car and obtaining his GED. Jeremy is a noted poet and shared two of his poems with us.

My Heart

I offer you my heart
Please be careful with it
What does it feel like?
What does it sound like?
Is it full of pain?
Or full of love?
Sorry, for all the questions
You’re one of the few people
With the complete answers
I want to hear your voice
May I ask a few more questions?
Which lucky lady will touch my heart?
What’s her name?
Are you the lucky lady?
What’s your name?
I want to hear your voice
Please tell me your name

Dark Angel

Sometimes you come in my dreams
A gentle mystery of intrigue
I don’t know who you are
Your pretty persuasion hypnotizes me
A sensational feeling
Why must I wait patiently to be kissed again?
She wants to surprise me
A fantasy that can become a reality eventually
When the love I feel for whomever she is
Is honest and true so they say
I bet I repeat the same feelings
Over a million times
But the opportunity still has much to learn
I invite you to dreams anytime
Goodnight my dark angel

CJEL’s Belonging vision is for all Jews, their friends and Life partners of other faiths, and people exploring Judaism to feel welcome to participate in Jewish living and learning experiences to the extent of their abilities and interest, and to find a space of belonging in Jewish Buffalo regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability.