At some point in our lives, we’ve all probably had someone do something mean to us. Whether receiving a rude remark or a cold shoulder… such experiences are simply a part of life.
But when you are stuck around someone or people manifesting this kind of behavior towards you day in and day out, it gradually becomes unbearable.
As adults, we are better equipped and learn to brush off rude or mean comments, but for children, this is a lot more difficult.
Children are supposed to enjoy life and focus on learning as they develop as young adults — and should never be in an environment where harassment and bullying exist.
Whether it is a result of a lack of self-esteem, not being raised right at home, absent parents or bad teachers: Bullying in schools is real — and a tremendous problem.
Tens of thousands of children and teens are reported to experience bullying every year. This number is simply way, way too high.
As we know, bullying has devastating consequences for victims: it could lead to depression, various forms of self-destructive behavior and, in worst cases, suicide.
Devon, UK mom Carrie Golledge’s 6-year-old daughter Sophia was, unfortunately, experiencing bullying at school. And Sophia quickly began to develop severe anxiety as a result.
Every day, when Sophia returned home from school, she just wanted to cry. At night, she couldn’t sleep as she processed the traumatic events of the day and worried about having to show up at school the next.
“Things were so bad by the end of the summer term that Sophia was out of school for a couple of weeks because her sickness was so severe — she would be up all night and vomiting 20 times an hour,” the mother told The Mirror.
Ultimately, Sophia’s entire body gave up — all because of her classmates’ constant bullying and harassment.
“She’d be in so much pain and because her upset stomach was so violent, it would lead to a water infection and her body struggled,” the mom added. “We’ve had her in hospital with high fevers which they’ve struggled to control.”
According to the mother, the culprit was one classmate in particular. The girl, who Sophia called her ‘best friend’ aggressively told Sophia what to do, dictated what she could and could not eat and chased away anyone who tried to play with her.
The poor 6-year-old was so stressed by the situation that her body and brain nearly became paralyzed. Anxiety and stress made Sophia apathetic.
Carrie later took to Facebook to tell her story, publishing a picture of her hospitalized daughter, where the 6-year-old is seen laying in bed frail and exhausted.
To the heartbreaking image, she wrote the following words.
“This is what bullying does…
This is my 6 year old daughter, hospitalised, due to bullying…
This is my child with such a caring heart that despite being so ill “doesn’t want anyone to get in trouble”…
This is my child who has stopped eating, has cried herself to sleep, had anxiety so severe she’s up sick over 20 times in an hour through the night…
This is my child whose ‘best friend’ has emotionally abused her for so long she thought it was normal…
This is my child who has been in and out of hospital for countless trips due to being so sick with anxiety…
This is my child who was told off for ‘telling tales at school’…
This is my child who has been mocked on social media by the bullies parents for just having such a pure heart…
This is my child who when addressing the issues with her school we were told “Its just 6 year olds being 6 year olds”…
This is my child who was told by the school she should be the one feeling ashamed and be snuck in a side door of a morning…
This is my child who her school failed her so badly that we had to move her schools…
This is my child who is one of too many that are going through this…
This is my child whose story is being twisted and manipulated by the very people that were meant to protect her at her school when she was in their care…
This is my child who doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else. So this is my child’s story we are sharing but she is one of many….too many!
Please help us share her story. Lets show her the support her school couldn’t afford her.”
Fortunately, Sophia’s parents put her in another school at which point improvement was almost immediate. She has since blossomed and is today a much healthier, happier little girl.
Fortunately, Sophia had parents who never gave up and fought till the end, but others might not have the same luck.
Help Sophia and her parents share her story to stand AGAINST ALL FORMS OF BULLYING!
