This Is Why We Need Disney World......

[Lives4Disney]

I found out last week that my 9 yr old daughter (blondie in my signature pics) was the victim of some nasty bullying for the past month.

Last week I took her to the doctor because she woke up the previous week limping, her foot was so mysteriously sore she couldn't put weight on it. She is a tap dancer, so I thought maybe that - except she hadn't tapped in the prior 5 days ....Well....After we saw the dr. who recommended I take her for Xrays (which we did), that night she put her head on the table and cried and told me two kids - that she had been friends with at the beginning of the school year - had been STOMPING on her feet and KICKING her in the shins in the bus line for over a month. She felt too embarrassed and humiliated to tell.

The most heartbreaking thing is that she is visually impaired - has very limited peripheral vision and blind spots in her central vision - they were taking advantage of this so she couldn't see them doing it and couldn't move out of the way or defend herself. I wanted some heads to roll. The school handled it quickly and it is OVER.

Now, since her Xrays came back normal, we have to go see an orthopedic doctor for more tests.

I just am so happy that we have our spring break Disney World trip to look forward to. Hopefully that foot will be all better by then. Kids need that Disney magic in their lives. (parents, too! )

Just had to vent a little. Sorry.

Lives4Disney

 

[java]

Oh How horrible. I have an 8 year old daughter and this just breaks my heart. What is wrong with those girls? I am glad the school stepped in and that she was brave enough to tell you. Tell her she has a cyber buddy thinking about her and hoping that those girls leave her alone!(and my dd is a tae kwon do girl so if they need some kicking.......ok not really but.) I hope their parents have been notified and that they make them formally apologize to her. She has an older brother that had to defend her once when she was in 2nd grade. All it took was a threat and the boy backed down. Bullies are just big chickens. Your daughter is so cute. Please give her a hug from us.

 

[hearingaidmom]

Iam so sorry this happened to your precious daughter. Your post has brought tears to my eyes. My DS is hearing impaired. The thought that other kids would take advantage/abuse him because of it makes me ill. All the best to you and both of your beautiful daughters.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm so sorry to hear this. That's awful. I'm hoping she gets to feeling better soon and before your vacation. I worry about my daughter being bullied someday (she's very thin, clumsy and very sensitive - all traits that are like magnets to bullies), so I can certainly sympathize with your situation. I'm glad your school system straightened the problem out. Not all of them do much for those situations. I hope her self-esteem hasn't been shaken too much. Anyway, here's hoping for a bully-less future for your DD.

 

[Tink215]

Oh I read your post and Started to cry for you, Lots of Pixe Dust, I hate Bullies........I have two Girls, 5 and almost 2 I dread that because I was bullied at school and it was horrible.....My Hubby Is a Police Officer at two elementary schools and Bullying is not tolerated and he and the Staff are all real strict on that.....I hope this does not have any negative lasting effects on your DD........I hope you guys have an absolute wonderful time. I hope its extra special for her, she deserves it........

 

[momrek06]

OMG, that is horrible....I have seen shows i.e. Dr. Phil, Oprah on kids and bullying and it is something that is getting out of control today and the poor kids that are getting bullied all seemed to be too afraid to tell anyone as in the meantime (in the OP's case) her duaghter continues to get bullied....HORRIBLE, that is all I can say. I will say a prayer that THIS STOPS for her and sooner than later.

AND A GOOD DECISION TO GO TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM AND FORGET ALL YOUR WOOS FOR A WHILE ANYWAY!!!!! HAVE THE BEST TIME EVER!!! COUNTING THE DAYS I AM SURE!!! She is a PRINCESS !!!!

 

[grimley1968]

Iam so sorry this happened to your precious daughter. Your post has brought tears to my eyes. My DS is hearing impaired. The thought that other kids would take advantage/abuse him because of it makes me ill. All the best to you and both of your beautiful daughters.

I grew up with hearing problems, and certainly still have them, although 2 elective surgeries helped me out a bit. There certainly was a lot of nasty teasing growing up (you know - the sarcastic fake sign language or "Are you deaf?!?"), but you do sort of get thick-skinned about it over time. Finally, I learned when someone hatefully asked "Are you deaf?" in the middle of a crowd, to simply say "Yes, 95% in one ear and 45% in the other". 99% of the time the public shame shuts up the bully at that point. For the other 1% that wouldn't stop there and chose to make it physical, well, let's just say they learned I didn't need to hear very well to bloody their noses with a quicker than expected jab.

 

[Chad&Janet]

That is perhaps one of the most sick and infuriating things I have heard in a long time. As an eye doctor, I had a heartfelt reaction to your post. It really does not paint a very good picture of humanity.

Please enjoy your upcoming trip and let your daughter know it's ok to take up for herself! We support her!!

 

[sajetto]

OMG!! I am so sorry to hear this and I am sickend at how cruel her classmates are being. If I were her mother I'd want heads to roll too. Hang in there and have a wonderful disney trip

 

[ErinSLP]

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!! these stories upset me so much!!!! My daughter is only 1, and I get so upset at the thought of something like this happening to her. I get even more upset at the thought of her doing this to someone else!!!!! Enjoy your trip to Disney, hopefully it will be magical for all of you.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I am so sorry your dd had to endure this! My ds has a speech disorder and has been picked on by a bully now and then. It is horrible to see something like that happen to your child.

You keep focusing on that Disney trip, where every little girl feels like a princess.

 

[wilma-bride]

I don't normally post here but just wanted to add my heartfelt sympathies with you and your daughter. It is such a shame that she has had to endure this. Bullying is a real problem here in the UK as well. I hope that the girls who bullied your daughter get their comeuppance and that you have a wonderful spring break trip to Disney. Your daughter sounds like a wonderfully brave girl, to have kept all that to herself for such a long time. I hope she realises that not everyone in this world is so mean.

 

[babytrees]

I wanted to tell you that I can empathize with you!! My daughter(13 now) went through bullying when she was your daughter's age and I wanted to throttle the kids doing it but she wouldn't tell us who was doing it. . This school loving girl did not want to go to school anymore. .

Tell your lovely daughter that it will get better!!

Cassidy now has the best self esteem of any teen I know and even when her "friends" comment on her...she comes back with I like the way I look and I know what I like.

We will keep you in our prayers.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

So sorry you and your dd had to go through this. I think bullying is one of the most infuriating, disgusting and cruel things anyone can do. Hope your trip to Disney helps.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks so much for all your kind words. It picked me up.

My daughter is such an awesome, inspiring kid. She is gradually losing her sight due to a retinal disease (RP) and over the past 3 years has gone to now using a white cane, getting mobility training, and learning Braille (impressively fast), and learning how to do so many other things with reduced vision. Whenever I think of how she was made to feel, degraded and humiliated by these two kids I feel like I want to bawl!! She is the LAST person I would have thought to be picked on because she really has such a high self esteem, she knows she is just a God given blessing to us. Kids can just be so cruel, though.

to all the bullies out there and hugs and love to the victims.

She told me she didn't want to tell me because she knew it would upset me (well....YA!!) She said she thought all they could do was bruise her up a bit and she could handle that.

The school has been more than great. Many people there have a soft spot for her in their hearts and the situation was dealt with immediately once she told. They are even having her meet with the social worker weekly to discuss any problems she may be having and teach her how to assert herself a bit more and learn some strategies she is comfortable with for handling any of these nasty situations. I really love her school.

THANKS again, everyone for standing up for us!! Really really really looking forward to our Disney escape!

Lives4Disney

 

[princessjv]

I am in total shock... This behavior is not acceptable and especially cannot be tollerated in our schools! I hope the children who are bullying are tought an awakening lesson by the school and their parents that this sort of behavior is not tolerated, and is punishable! The next time they start in our your DD, make sure she is armed with some words of wisdom for them, that hopefully someday will impact the bullys lives ("Do onto others as you want done to yourself", "what comes around goes around", etc...)

Good Luck to her! May the magic of Disney help heal...

 

[hearingaidmom]

I grew up with hearing problems, and certainly still have them, although 2 elective surgeries helped me out a bit. There certainly was a lot of nasty teasing growing up (you know - the sarcastic fake sign language or "Are you deaf?!?"), but you do sort of get thick-skinned about it over time. Finally, I learned when someone hatefully asked "Are you deaf?" in the middle of a crowd, to simply say "Yes, 95% in one ear and 45% in the other". 99% of the time the public shame shuts up the bully at that point. For the other 1% that wouldn't stop there and chose to make it physical, well, let's just say they learned I didn't need to hear very well to bloody their noses with a quicker than expected jab.

Grimley, Thanks for your perspective. My DS is 6 years old and has the most wonderful outgoing personality. He wears bilateral hearing aids and is so positive about them. Anytime another kid makes any comments about his aids (positive or negative) he proceeds to explain what the aids are for and why he needs them. So far we haven't faced anything physical though. Maybe, my DH needs to teach him how to box! However, sometimes words can hurt as much or more as something physical.

 

[beckmrk04]

I don't have children yet, but I can only imagine your heartache. Rest assured that your daughter will learn to be a more tolerant wonderful human being because of this! I was also bullied in junior high when we moved to a new very small town, and looking back I realize that the bullies were picking on me to fulfill their own insecurities (now many of them are divorced, unhappy, and unsuccessful- so picking on me didn't help much). Let your daughter know that bullies pick on people often because they feel bad about themselves, and that DOES NOT mean that there is anything "wrong" with her! She is darling and I hope you all have a wonderful Disney trip!

 

[DVC Sadie]

No one has mentioned the possibility of calling the police for assault. If this had been my child we would not only have called the school but called the police. I am so sorry this happened to your precious child.

 

[cindermomma]

What is wrong with these kids? This is just so awful. Your daughter is a beautiful, strong little girl. I always believe what goes around comes around! Best wishes for a wonderful next Disney trip - the place where nothing matters except fun! Have a magical time!