Jessie and I are PASSIONATE about this cause, please share your story and help us to END THIS NOW!
My story is a long one. Not necessarily in the number of words that it takes to describe, but the length of time in which it lasted. My sister and I inherited a birth defect that runs in our family. It is nothing serious but it causes us to not have finger nails. We are missing a joint in each of our fingers and therefore have short fingers and little hands. Most people don't even notice, but many of those who do are cruel.
Growing up we were tormented by classmates. Some kids would not even touch us, fearing that they would "catch" whatever it was that we had. Others laughed at us, called us names, and threw things at us trying to get us to pick them up so they could see our hands. Thanks to our parents love and support we made it through our childhood mostly unscathed. Even so the torment we experienced caused us great anxiety and even to this day is the reason behind my self conscious tendencies. Even on my wedding day I asked the photographer not to photograph us holding hands to capture our rings, I simply could not stomach the thought of looking at a picture of something that had caused me such pain.
Looking back now I am disappointed in myself. I am always telling others to love and accept themselves and here I am unable to love the way God made me.
As I got older, people started to care less and less. High School however was still tough. I was a cheerleader, but not one of the popular ones. I didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't have sex with a bunch of different guys, didn't go to parties, and therefore did not fit in. I was excluded from team events and talked about often. Girls made fun of me and made me feel awkward, unworthy, ugly, and alone. One of my "friends" went so far as to punch me in the face on the bus ride home. I was so stunned I had no idea how to react.
I consider myself lucky. Bullying can be much worse. I had supportive friends and family and I feel like I can look back at my school days and call them pretty much enjoyable. Even so this goes to show that ANYONE can be bullied. ANYONE can be made to feel like less of a person.
It is time that each of stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. One of my favorite quotes is
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Link up and share your story. Together we can make a difference.
I love this campaign and adore you girls even more for what you're doing. I hope people read all of our link-ups, because they are powerful testaments to what strong women we became by overcoming this and taking a stand. Nobody should go through that and it breaks my heart to think of somebody doing that to you. Much love, my dear!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for promoting this cause, Jillian! I need to get my post up. I'm so sorry you had to go through what you did, and I think it's great that you had the courage to stay true to yourself even when being bullied by the other cheerleaders. I wanted to be a cheerleader so badly in high school, but didn't because I knew I wouldn't fit in. You had a lot more courage than I did.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT cause!
ReplyDeleteMy Heart breaks for you over this! So glad we are doing this Jillian. I plan to do it again and hopefully get more people to join!
ReplyDeleteI love the movement that you and Jessie have created. It is so powerful to stand up for bullying. Bullies are cowards and by standing up to it, you stare it in the face and will get it to back down. Thank you for sharing your story and for getting others (like me) to share mine.
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