Let our voices be heard.

We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and all those who love a child that is “different” by society’s standards.

I am the proud parent of a child who is wonderful and unique. I celebrate my child’s qualities that set him apart from the rest. Unfortunately, I am a minority. My once happy and loving child, has become someone I barely recognize, and fear for. This message is to help raise awareness about the negative impact our schools are having on these special children.

My son has been the target for bullies since the beginning, but things have escalated fast for my sweet and gentle boy. I have watched my son becoming more depressed and withdrawn this past school year. Things that used to bring him joy and give him a reason to smile, have been tainted by the poison that now plagues him. Feelings of worthlessness, depression and anger are his constant companions. A child who always had a ready smile, loved to laugh and was quick to hug, has been forever altered by the negative environment he is forced to endure every weekday. I just want my child back.

The rising fear that my son may one day become a statistic of suicide, as a direct result of school bullying, is what has prompted me to write this. Imagine my horror when my son told me that he is now being told to, “Do everyone a favor and just kill yourself!” My horror became true terror when my son said, with tears raining down his cheeks, “Maybe I should.” What would you do? How would you feel? This child is only thirteen years old and has a whole, wonderful life ahead of him! Not only am I fighting the school, I am now fighting my son. Where does it end, and how do I stop it?

The sad truth is; It never ends.

I won’t detail every step I have taken to help my son, or my several meetings with the school over the years, but I will say that things need to change – starting with my voice being heard.

If you love a child whose voice cannot be heard above the protocols, procedures, policies and rules, you become the voice for them. Let them hear our fears, anger, resentment, and frustration with a system that refuses to protect what we have put into their safe keeping – our children, our most precious possessions. Our children should feel safe and accepted in an environment where education is an equal opportunity for all who attend. Our children are the future, so shouldn’t it be a priority to protect our future? How is a child going to learn a proper education when they are shrouded in a veil of insecurity, self-doubt, and despair?

The answer is; They can’t.

Change needs to happen. My son deserves the freedom to learn. He is entitled to attend a school where he feels safe and happy. He should not be robbed of his joy and his smile. My heart is broken for the child I have lost.

He is just one of many children in a system, but he is MY child and I will not continue to sit in silence.

If you know and love a child who is being bullied, a child who is bravely unique, or a child who needs a voice, please help share and spread this message. Together, we can make our voices soar.