Welcome to TTUT, I am so excited to tell you that in just 2 more days I will be enjoying the company of my co host IA live and in person! I'm sure you've heard me mention it a time or 12 before, I'm just a little excited to see her! And JK, Viv, Becca, Jen, and Connie too of course,w e're gonna tear up California! Go ahead and take just a second to hate me.
I was all prepared with a fun post about our upcoming trip and I was going to link up with Emmy for her 10 Things To Smile About until I attended an event at Honeys school tonight. As a result this will be a serious post...I will not apologize.
We had a guest speaker come to our high school today. He and his wife fly across the country on their own dime to share their story, to help make sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to anyone else.
Kirk and Laura Smalley buried their son 716 days ago after he took his own life on their bedroom floor. He was the victim of bullying. He had enough. He would be celebrating his 12th birthday in just 2 weeks. His name was Ty Smalley.
His Father Kirk gave an emotional talk to the freshman class at Honeys high school this morning and came back again tonight to speak to the public. He was admittedly an unpolished speaker but what he lacked in public speaking finesse he made up in real, raw, passion and heartache.
My girls had the honor of helping him on stage, they read the bio of 2 children who have also ended their pain from bullying by taking their own lives. Honey lead those willing to make a difference in a pledge and Peanut asked a few prepared questions about following through with that commitment.
The statistics that he shared were staggering. Suicide is the number 2 cause of death in children ages 10-24, second only to auto accidents. I had no clue! As this heartbroken father made eye contact with me with tears streaming down his face and asked that I, we, help make this stop I swore to him I would do my part.
Before he spoke he walked to the picture of his son on stage and talked to him, maybe he was praying, either way it was the most emotional thing I have ever witnessed. I sat through his 1 hour program with a painful lump in my throat, a rock in my chest, and tears rolling down my cheeks.
Kirk carries with him a list of 800 names, all children who have killed themselves as a result of bullying. The youngest name on his list...6.
I have to help. I will Stand For the Silent and I know 100% that after listening to this man pour his heart out so will my girls! No child should ever feel so helpless as to believe that their only was out is to end their life and no parent should have to bury their child as a result!
For more information on scheduling a time for the Samlley's to visit your town or to make a donation so they can continue to help others go here.
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15 comments:
This completely breaks my heart. What a wonderful thing your daughter's school did having him come speak. I would have been a pile of tears if I was there.
These stories always break my heart as well.
I think that just as important as teaching your children to be kind, is teaching them to stand up to others who are being unkind to someone.
I also think that as parents, one of the best ways we can teach our children to be kind, is showing them that example ourselves.
Thanks for sharing this.
This is so heartbreaking! I echo Xazmin's sentiments. Thanks for sharing this - I'll definitely Stand For the Silent.
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So sad and proof that you never really know what someone is going through unless you are observant and intervene when you see the need. Thanks for bringing an unpleasant topic to light.
You know what i keep wondering about this whole bullying situation? Is it any worse than it used to be? I mean, are kids meaner now? Or are we making a new generation unable to handle it? I mean,I am certainly against it, of course, - I have kids! - but we were have probably all been bullied in our lives and it just seems like the new hot topic. But when you hear stories like this, it almost sets aside the larger topic of bullying and reminds you just how much we have to watch out for our kids.
I wish I could have come to this; but I work til 5:00. Trey came home from school and was telling me about it. He said that it made him cry and so many other kids cry. It IS heartbreaking. And it is so important for parents to stand up for their children when it comes to bullying. I had to do it last year for Allie. I was not going to STOP until all those involved realized that I meant business and that they were to back off. It is a big deal; it is important. So many parents think "oh, they are just being kids". Being kids is one thing, being mean is another. Thank you for sharing this Shawn. I hope that people realize that bullying is not just about "fighting". It is about making fun of, putting someone down, saying mean things on FB, via text, via phone calls, etc.....Parents need to get a clue. Teachers and Administration need to get a clue. When Allie was bullied, the parent of one of the girls that was doing the bullying said that "Allie deserved it". She then had to face me! Keep spreading the word. I know that I do...... :)
That stats are awful! So sad that a post like this is needed but yes it very obviously is. What an event to attend- I hope it really gets the kids thinking.
So awesome that your girls were so involved.
Bullying shouldn't happen. Suicide I don't understand and it breaks my heart. Wow, I know that had to be a real tear jerker to sit through! God bless the families who have lost children like this. So many what ifs and had I done this. Only God can give these parents comfort. Thanks for sharing and hosting!
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I was bullied as a kid and because of that I try to talk with Turbo to see how things are going and to try to keep the communication going. I want him to feel he can talk to both Nick and I about anything.
The more people are aware of both the victims and the bullies the better. Both sides need help in these instances.
The statistics breaks my heart. I will Stand For The Silent also. No child should have to go through this.
Those stats are heartbreaking. I wish that there was an answer that would make it stop. Kids should never feel that the only way to fix this is to take their lives. What a sad, sad world when kids just can't be kids.
That's a wonderful thing for the Smalley's to do. How great that your girls' high school had them so they could spread the word. School is becoming a not so fun place for some kids and that is so sad. I hope they continue to touch many, many more people with their story. Thanks for sharing it for them.
Maybe this sounds bad on my part, but I honestly had no idea that bullying was as wide spread and rampant as it is. This just boggles my mind. How incredible would it have been to hear them. Not that they should have that reason to speak but the fact that they are is incredible.
this broke my heart so sad
I think it's really amazing that you are taking a stand to help spread this message. That is so sad, and my heart breaks for that family. But so thankful that they are turning such a tragic event into a learning lesson for what I hope to be many, many students.
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