I attended a public school for the physically disabled from 1963 to 1976. Every child who went to the school had a disability You'd have expected that the children would support each other. They would have compassion for one another because they understood what it was like to be disabled. I am sorry to tell you that was not true.
I startle very easily. Any loud noise can cause me to jump. Children intentionally drop books on the floor to see me jump and laugh hysterically. It was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Some adults took great pleasure in making me jump as well.
I was not boy crazy I was wrapped up in the celebrities I saw on T.V. I was made fun of. I was called names. I was laughed at by the other white girls in school. Had it not been for a compassionate bus driver who stood up for me when he witnessed me being made fun of. Had it not been for the friendship of several African American girls who accepted me for the person I was high school would have been a very lonely time for me.
I have a friend I have known all of my life. We share the same disability. We were very close when we were young. My friend was allowed to attend a regular school long before mainstreaming became the norm. During our teenage years, my friend began to distance herself from me, She chose her able-bodied friends over me. She was embarrassed by me. I was the one who was disabled I used a power chair. My friend walked with crutches. My friend did not attend a "special" school. In her mind, my friend did not have a disability.
I startle very easily. Any loud noise can cause me to jump. Children intentionally drop books on the floor to see me jump and laugh hysterically. It was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Some adults took great pleasure in making me jump as well.
I was not boy crazy I was wrapped up in the celebrities I saw on T.V. I was made fun of. I was called names. I was laughed at by the other white girls in school. Had it not been for a compassionate bus driver who stood up for me when he witnessed me being made fun of. Had it not been for the friendship of several African American girls who accepted me for the person I was high school would have been a very lonely time for me.
I have a friend I have known all of my life. We share the same disability. We were very close when we were young. My friend was allowed to attend a regular school long before mainstreaming became the norm. During our teenage years, my friend began to distance herself from me, She chose her able-bodied friends over me. She was embarrassed by me. I was the one who was disabled I used a power chair. My friend walked with crutches. My friend did not attend a "special" school. In her mind, my friend did not have a disability.
My advice to any young person who is being bullied is to find someone who accepts and supports you for the person you are. You are unique. Celebrate that. Be proud.
Take it from me uniqueness or dare I say weirdness, is cool. No one has the right to make another person feel inferior. You matter.
To a child who bullies someone because they are different here is something to consider. The way you treat people will come back to you positively or negatively. Treat everyone with respect and dignity Be a friend to the new kid. Be a friend to the kid everyone in your class thinks is weird. Don't be a bully. Don't be a follower Set a good example. Be a leader.
Be kind. Be accepting. Be respectful. You'll feel so much better.
No comments:
Post a Comment