I am Strong!

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself. ~ Harvey S. Firestone

Yesterday we held our Networking Day at work. Deaf and hard of hearing children from all over the province come together three times a year, along with their parents and staff, to learn and socialize. The theme of the day was the social-emotional needs of Deaf and hard of hearing children. I organized a panel of students who spoke about what school was like for them, answering questions such as was school a happy place, who supported them, had they been bullied, and what did they want to do after they graduated. Fascinating!!! Almost all of them had been bullied—even the pretty girls and jock boys.

What was more incredible was watching the students come together and find a solace or shelter in each other. Some were attending the day for the first time and they loved it. You could almost see their self-esteem grow as the day went on.

These days are always exhausting to some of us organizers. We wear numerous hats and run around all day (sometimes like Charlie the Chicken without a head….oh, wait, buk-aaawk!!!, that is a character from my brother’s blog), carrying out the various tasks. We scarf down lunch and drop into our desk chairs after the last guest has exited, depleted of reserve energy but tremendously happy about how the day goes.

One of the greatest things in life that we can do is build someone’s self-esteem, especially a child’s. I saw some really cool things happen that day, including one of the school bullies stand up and thank the young panelists for being honest and brave and then admit he was not the nicest person but that he had been trying to change his ways as he got ready to graduate, hoping it was not too late. One of the middle school girls was in awe of the Deaf linguist with a Ph.D. who was one of the morning speakers, and another senior years boy told her that she was living proof that Deaf people could succeed.

I hope that these children will find themselves and create an identity that is not based on limitations but rather possibilities. I remember being bullied a bit in elementary school myself and one day, when one of the boys stood in front of me, with a pile of snow in his hand, sneering, “who is gonna get their face washed today?” I found a side of myself that I did not know existed. “You are!” I retorted, slapping the bottom of his hand, sending the snow into his face. I had to run like crazy to avoid a beating but I laughed gleefully at my courage that day. Don’t be a victim! Define yourself in a loving, strong way.

Peace,

Suzanne