Megan Wilson’s address to the Vandalia School Board on bullying

This is something that I have never dreamt of doing – standing up in a room to express how scared I am for our children. The word bullying is taken so lightly anymore in the state has tied the hands of our teachers in order to follow through with appropriate action.
I am a mother who has recently been introduced to this victimization, and can’t stand by and let it happen anymore. It’s not just happening to my child, but it’s clearly happening to all children in the area. I’ve had numerous parents, teachers and upstanding individuals let me know what has happened to them, from children with disabilities to staff that are fed up with it as well.
I want to change this. I want to help everyone find a way to successfully defuse the issues at hand. The community has stood silent long enough. I am standing up for my child, your child, your grandchild, your family in general.
There’s no reason that someone can’t change the way things are handled. It may take a trip to the state, and petitioning the lost to change, approaching the news or even rallying people together to be heard, but if it’s just for a chance that we change at least one life in the process isn’t that worth it?
I want us to find a solution to the issue. For example, give it to a child who’s caught up in a bully situation to give back to their wrongdoings or help that janitor change the trash and mop the floors. Give yourself back to the community for taking away something from another.
You can’t take back the things you say, but you can do something to make it better. Opening your ear to me is wonderful! But can you lend a hand? Can you direct me on where to go? We are all meant to succeed in life. How? We really don’t know sometimes.
Although I stand here in this defining moment, a mother of three, looking out at you, hoping I can have the support to carry on with my hopes and achieve what we all feel sometimes is the impossible!
I need you … I really do. I may have the voice right now, but all of you can help me do this. Don’t let your child be the next to feel like life isn’t worth it. My son did, he contemplated. He’s 11 years old.
How on earth do you even comprehend that? I didn’t even know where to start. I did what I felt was right by approaching leaders yet I was failed there. Don’t let it be your child, the one who hides it all from you in fear of being in trouble or judged.
We are molding these young individuals, (and) we need to show them the lighted path! Bullying is wrong, it is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated any longer. Standing up to this so we can eventually burn it out and let us all know that just by us working together, we can change so many lives.
Please, I’m asking for your time (and hope) this really moves you to join the volunteer groups at the school – use your voice! Someone will listen!
You saw what I did, right? I got the whole community aware of something everyone looks over. I caught your attention and deal with some of you who were too afraid or hesitant to do. I may be labeled as that crazy mom, but at least I tried, and that’s all a person can do in life is try.
So, thank you; thank you for letting me speak and (for) taking the time to listen.
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.