I have just been made aware of the tragic story of Amanda Todd, a gorgeous and talented young woman who took her own life after being bullied. My heart is broken for her and her loved ones, and for all of those who live at the mercy of cruel and pathetic cowards who attempt to gain a sense of self worth through the pleading of others.

Growing up, I was bullied by my father and by my peers.  In fact, I was taunted, pushed and made fun of in almost every school I attended (19 in total).  My Junior year, the “popular” boys “booed” me every time I walked into my biology class, threw fruit, food and drinks at me in the hallways and tormented me so frequently during lunchtime that I spent two years eating (and hiding) in the library.  There was a group of girls who chased me down with their car and pulled a knife on me in the bathroom after I “dared” to slap a kid back after the 4th time he flicked me in the back of the head.

My teachers did nothing.

This isn’t about me, but I wanted to put it out there that there is a better life waiting for all of you. I absolutely know what it feels like to be an outsider and told that you are less than and do not fit in, and it kills me that beautiful young men and women like Amanda Todd feel so desperate to get out of their horrible situations that they feel the only path to peace is by taking their own lives.

This bullying has to stop (in every age group).

If you are being bullied, please know that you are not alone, have resources and that this won’t last forever. You are precious and perfect and wonderful just as you are, and nothing those around you say or do can ever truly devalue the priceless and irreplaceable person you are.

Lots of love, understanding and support.

Brenda

Strollwithoutshoes@gmail.com

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