Maybe it’s just my town

Growing up I was used to being different and it never really bothered me, then school happened. I grew up in a time where bullying wasn’t dealt with properly no one knew what to do. Instead of my bullies being punished at times it felt like I had done something bad that it was all my fault for being different. I felt like I deserved to be talked down to and pushed around because I was just a waste of a person that people like me didn’t deserve a voice or opinion. Now as an adult it’s just not true it’s the bullies who were afraid of anything that was different and being mean was just their own insecurity because I owned and embraced being disabled. They tried to tear me down because I was ok with who I am and the challenge I was born with. I’m not going to lie for a while they had me where they wanted me and it hurt. It took so many phone calls and meetings with the school and the whole run around until my voice was heard. I’d like to say the harassment stopped but sadly it didn’t. So I just took it into my own hands and stood up for myself. I never let their words hurt me and I never let them see me cry when I was pushed and tripped.  I went to a low income school and the way the students acted toward me just fueled the stereotype of poor,ignorant,small town people. Anyone who tried to succeed in that school was made fun of or hated and it’s just so sad. A lot of the students couldn’t even read past the 1st grade reading level. It got to the point where I felt bad for my bullies because I would look at them and see that their future was bleak. They would have children young and live in poverty and raise their children to be small minded people. The cycle will continue and seeing some of them now as adults I was right. The school I had left is just as bad as it was when I attended. The teachers just sit at their desks and pretend to teach. The people working in the office still gossiping and not attending to the students or parents seeking information. I even caught the principal napping at his desk. I wanted to believe things would change as I got older that furniture students wouldn’t relive what I did but it’s just not the case. For some schools the policy has changed and those employed do seem to care which thank god for that cuz as a parent a of mine fear is for my children to be bullied. My oldest does go to a great school and I am always asking questions and being involved. Yes I am that mom.