In a Mother's Words: 'It's Particularly Gut-Wrenching When It's a Child with a Disability'
Bullying is never okay. Yet, in this day and age, the art of bullying has become more prevalent, social media making it that much easier for bullying to happen behind the scenes.
Some still take the classic approach to bullying, though. Kids still get shoved in lockers and lunches continue to get stolen or dumped in an unsuspecting child’s lap.
I always try to remind my own children that kids who bully probably have a lot of hurt going on inside or at home.
Still, understanding and grace for these kids who choose to bully others doesn’t make it okay. One mom has made it her priority to speak out about bullying.
Hallie Levine is a mom and freelance writer. Her articles have been published on Yahoo, Refinery 29, and Parents.
Levine is a mom of children with disabilities. Her writing doesn’t only approach the topic of bullying, but also explores the subject from a new perspective.
“It’s always heartbreaking as a parent to hear that your child is being bullied,” Levine wrote in her most recent article for Yahoo. “But it’s particularly gut-wrenching when it’s a child with a disability.”
In the article, this passionate mama shared about her 7-year-old son, Geoffrey’s, experience at day camp. Geoffrey suffers from albinism, a condition that affects his vision.
Like other disabled children, this sweet boy has been an easy target for bullies. They’ve pushed him and called him names, failing to recognize him as another human who deserves the same respect and courtesy as any other.
Sadly, when Levine brought the bullying issues to the camp’s attention, she was met with cop-outs like the old “boys will be boys” adage.
Levine was appalled, as any mother would be. Here was her son, being harassed by other kids, and nothing was really being done to address the issue. Constant excuses were being made.
Even after Levine removed her son from the situation, she found out Geoffrey’s bullies had simply found a new target.
“By giving in to bullying,” she wrote. “By accepting it as just another reality of life, we don’t do enough as parents or camp counselors to help eradicate it.”
Levine’s words are spot on. We have to stop making excuses for bullies. It only prolongs the problem. Instead we need to stand together and say “no” to bullying. No excuses allowed.
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