Letters to a Bullied Girl
By: Olivia Gardner
In May 2007, Olivia Gardner, a northern California teenager was bullied, taunted, and cyberbullied for over two years. She was not like all the other kids though; she was an epileptic who had suffered seizures in front of classmates. The news had got around about how Olivia had been bullied for so long. When two sisters Emily and Sarah Buder had heard about this they wanted to send Olivia their support. So they sent her a letter telling their stories and support. Soon Olivia had been getting many letters supporting her it was like a chain reaction. The readers had felt her pain and took action. The two sisters had encouraged classmates to write letters to the bullied girl with encouragement to let her know she is not alone. "Though addressed to Olivia, the letters speak to all young people who have been bullied, offer advice and hope to those who suffer, and provide a wake-up call to all who have ever been involved in bullying." If you have ever been a Bystander or been bullied tell an adult who you trust bullying has become a very common problem all over schools.
" You have to believe in yourself or there is no hope."
Vocabulary
Bullied- A person weaker or smaller intimidated by a bigger and stronger person
Taunted- Provoke or challenge (someone) with insulting remarks
Cyber-bullying is harassing, humiliating, threatening or embarrassing another person through electronic methods, such as instant messaging, email or text messaging.
Epileptic- Having uncontrollable seizures (A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain)
Bystander- A person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part