No parent wants to hear their child is being bullied, especially if that child has developmental delays or other conditions which make them different and special. For one West Haven, CT mom, not only did she want her son’s bullies to stop their negative behavior, but she insisted on teaching them a lifelong lesson too.
MaryAnn Parisi took her plight to Facebook when she learned from a teacher that her 11-year-old son, Michael was being bullied. In her post, she explained to the bullies and others who were reading that “you never know what someone has gone through.”
Michael was born prematurely, suffered from failure to thrive, and endured various developmental delays along the way. His lower jaw never formed normally and kids would tease and bully him relentlessly. Although Parisi says that although her son is quick to forgive and forget, he has spent days crying, and she wanted the bullies to realize how their words and actions can cause pain, and to think before they act.
She wrote, “He didn’t learn to talk till he was 3 years old. Walking was very delayed. He didn’t have teeth till after his first birthday. He was so very behind. But he loved. Oh how he loved. To this day, his smile is the best thing ever. There is not one person he doesn’t like/love, including those who tormented him today. He forgives and honestly, he forgets too.”
Parisi made a step in a positive direction not only for her own son, but for children (and adults) everywhere. Enlightening bullies about the consequences of their actions can make an impact.
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