Do you know this kid? No.... me neither but I read about him tonight in the newspaper. He is an 8th grader in Stillwater Ok. He killed himself recently. Can you guess why? Bullying. Killing himself was the only way out, so he thought. Kids are killing themselves due to being bullying at school. This is something that has plagued me for some time now. It really hits home with me because I have been there. I hope this does not step on toes but if that is what it takes to open eyes then I am willing to take that risk. Be mad at me, delete me from your friends whatever... It has got to stop.
I was in junior high. I started to develop earlier than the other kids in my grade. I am talking to acne, PMS, the pill, my body was starting to change and yes I started to get boobs. I was teased every day from guys and girls. People I thought were my friends. I was called all kinds of names- pizza face, weird girl, pimp girl ( because of the acne) and some I have totally pushed out of my head. Every day it was something new and what had I done..... nothing. At 12 or 13 that is hard to handle. They say words don't hurt... trust me they do! I tried everything to fit in and for them to like me. Nothing ever worked; it just seemed to make it worse. I got to that low point of wanting to give up wanting to run away and make it all stop. Suicide did cross my mind- but was it worth it. For me no, because I had a support system. My mom who taught me and continued to teach me that it didn't matter what others thought because they were not the ones to make me who I was. She taught me to be strong and to love myself for who I was. I also had 3 friends that stood by me no matter what was said or done to me. Even with the support of my mom, Katie, Sarah, and Hannah it was still hard to not listen to those voices telling me who they thought I was. Without those people in my life- I would have not made it.
In 8th grade after 2 years of dealing with the bullying, my family decided to move. Although leaving my 3 friends would be tough, it was a new start for me! No one knew me and this was my chance to be me. After 4 years of high school and 4 more years in college. I graduated with honors and my degree to do exactly what I set out to do since kindergarten. I was going to fulfill my dream of being a teacher and reaching kids. Those girls and guys who lived to make my life miserable- I have no idea where they are or what they are doing. Nor do I care. I am doing what I want with my life and doing quite well. Again I succeeded in life.
So here is my chance to reach out to everyone else. It has happened to me so please DO NOT think it does not happen.I teach first grade and it happens in my classroom. This is something we can change if we stop and take the time to talk about it! Please sit down with someone and talk to them it might save their life!
In 8th grade after 2 years of dealing with the bullying, my family decided to move. Although leaving my 3 friends would be tough, it was a new start for me! No one knew me and this was my chance to be me. After 4 years of high school and 4 more years in college. I graduated with honors and my degree to do exactly what I set out to do since kindergarten. I was going to fulfill my dream of being a teacher and reaching kids. Those girls and guys who lived to make my life miserable- I have no idea where they are or what they are doing. Nor do I care. I am doing what I want with my life and doing quite well. Again I succeeded in life.
So here is my chance to reach out to everyone else. It has happened to me so please DO NOT think it does not happen.I teach first grade and it happens in my classroom. This is something we can change if we stop and take the time to talk about it! Please sit down with someone and talk to them it might save their life!
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