October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
It's an important topic to my publisher--and to me. I was bullied. I wasn't abused by the the traditional, stereotypical bully, you see in movies. There was no big kid on the playground that intimidated me to give up my lunch ticket, or to do something stupid or crazy. There was no teasing or taunting on the school bus. Instead, I was left out, and ignored.
It happens all the time--on every playground, at every school, and even in the workplace. The victim is the kid, or adult, that just doesn't seem to fit in. The quiet one that gets overlooked and not invited to lunch, or to happy hour after work. It's the kid that sits home every night and watches Netflix, or plays video games, because they had no invitation to do anything else.
It's no surprise. We can all see it play out--like a Lifetime movie. But in reality, each of them has a story.
So do I. I was orphaned.
It's an important topic to my publisher--and to me. I was bullied. I wasn't abused by the the traditional, stereotypical bully, you see in movies. There was no big kid on the playground that intimidated me to give up my lunch ticket, or to do something stupid or crazy. There was no teasing or taunting on the school bus. Instead, I was left out, and ignored.
It happens all the time--on every playground, at every school, and even in the workplace. The victim is the kid, or adult, that just doesn't seem to fit in. The quiet one that gets overlooked and not invited to lunch, or to happy hour after work. It's the kid that sits home every night and watches Netflix, or plays video games, because they had no invitation to do anything else.
It's no surprise. We can all see it play out--like a Lifetime movie. But in reality, each of them has a story.
So do I. I was orphaned.
Kids my age didn't know how to react. Years later, I heard that a few kids in my class actually feared their parents would die, too. All because MINE did. How absurd! But, as an adult, I get it. To my first grade peers, it was real. I was treated like I had Ebola.
"Don't get too close to Sandy. You don't want that Orphan disease rubbing off on you, too."
No one actually said those words--but I definitely felt them. Today, I can laugh about it. But back then... well, things weren't as easy. To read about my bully experience, visit the Clean Teen Publishing website or click here.
If we all work together, we can put an end to the bully epidemic.
"Don't get too close to Sandy. You don't want that Orphan disease rubbing off on you, too."
No one actually said those words--but I definitely felt them. Today, I can laugh about it. But back then... well, things weren't as easy. To read about my bully experience, visit the Clean Teen Publishing website or click here.
If we all work together, we can put an end to the bully epidemic.
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