When MaryAnn Parisi of Connecticut, US, suspected that her son was the target of school bullies, she took decided to take an unusual approach to tackling the problem.
Instead of angrily ranting at parents and teachers, MaryAnn decided to share her 11-year-old son Michael’s story on Facebook, asking that bullies try to understand him and learn to respect him for the obstacles he has triumphs, and the ones he continues to work towards overcoming.
Michael is the adopted son on MaryAnn, and after being born severely premature, experienced developmental problem throughout his short life so far.
Yet, he is kind hearted and positive every step of the way.
MaryAnn explained this all in the following Facebook Message.
"This might be long winded. I apologize for that. We all have children in our lives in some way or another, I challenge you to show and teach your children (or the children in your lives) my son’s story.
"Maybe knowing his background is the difference. Even the best children have moments of insecurity and weakness. Teaching and showing them why he (or anybody else) is different might be the more positive way. Sometimes knowing is learning and growing. Sometimes we all need a reminder, because we all can have our moments.
"Michael was born at 26 weeks. Just over 3 months premature. I am not his bio mom. But in every other way, I am his mother.
"He spent the first 3 months of his life fighting to survive. Shunts, blood transfusions, etc. His mother left him 3 months later. He has survived failure to thrive and numerous other health issues to become the strong, healthy boy he is. 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.
"There is not one judgemental bone in his body. I strive to be more like him daily but fall very short. You called him brace face today, before you were picking on him because of his eating habits. Did you know he physically can not control the food staying in his mouth. Or how very bad his hand/eye coordination is.
"Those braces are just one of the many steps he will endure, to help align his lower jaw that never fully developed. So he doesn’t spill his food or chew weirdly anymore. So you won’t pick on him.
"Kicking his chair, calling him stupid, ugly, brace face, bucky beaver. Telling him to sit down and shut up is not the way.
"You don’t have to like him, but you do have to respect him.
"He’s a fighter, that’s a very small portion of his story. Share, teach, grow. Most importantly respect those around, you never know what they have been through."
Very well said, MaryAnn.
So far, the post has been shared thousands of times, and been picked up by news outlets around the world.
Speaking to Fox 61 News, the mother said:
"My post is definitely getting the reaction I had hoped and then some.
"It is overwhelming, but necessary. Any form of bullying is not ok, if this helps in some small or large way, then it has done so much more than allowing an angry and hurt mom vent.’
"He’s tough and it warms my heart that he is so resilient. Clearly in the post, you can see he has not had an easy life and it comes into who he is – the silly, the goofy, the confidence…he knows he’s different from other kids, but he accepts it. I’m proud of him."
Let's hope that school bullies everywhere learn to stop and think next time they pick on someone for being a little 'different.'