from Ken Amaro from First Coast News:
This summer the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral and now the ugly side of an ice bucket challenge is spreading on social media.
"I can't even look at it," said Leslie Weed, the parent of an autistic child and founder of The HEAL Foundation, which stands for Healing Every Autistic Life.
"There is an explosion of bullying among disabled children," she said.
It happened in Bay Village, Ohio. A 15-year-old autistic boy who was lured into taking the ice bucket challenge got a bucket full of urine, feces and spit dumped on him.
" (It is) very disturbing," said Weed. "This young man didn't even tell his mother she discovered it on his cellphone."
Weed said what parents and advocates for the disabled have come to realize is, traumatic events like this have long-term effects.
"Their sleep patterns are disturbed, their anxiety levels really rise, their behavior tend to get worse and worse," she said.
The outrage on social media is loud and clear.
Showing posts with label bullying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bullying. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
'Glee' actress tells FHSU crowd about life
by Elizabeth Golden from the Hays Daily News:
Lauren Potter, activist and "Glee" star, has worked her entire life to overcome challenges. Born with Down's syndrome, she always dreamed of being an actress.
"There were some who said I could never do it," she said Wednesday, addressing a group of approximately 150 students at Fort Hays State University. "I was dancing before I could even walk. I always loved music."
When Potter was 18, she received a phone call from a friend in Hollywood.
"She knew about my dream," Potter said. "I would tell anyone and everyone who would listen."
The casting director was looking for a girl "who wasn't afraid to reach for the stars," Potter said. She must have Down's syndrome, but also be cute, witty and spunky.
They were looking for someone to play Becky Jackson, a cheerleader who overcomes her struggle with the disability, on the new television show "Glee."
"I had always wanted to be a cheerleader," Potter said. "And even though I tried out at my high school, I wasn't allowed to cheer. I knew I wanted this job. I also knew I had to work really hard and do a really good job."
Potter said she still loves playing the part of Becky, but it has been a hard season for the cast after losing Cory Monteith to drugs.
"This has been a sad and rough time for our 'Glee' family," she said. "We lost our dear friend. I loved Cory. He was always so sweet and had so much talent."
She now is adding drug-use to her list of causes.
Lauren Potter, activist and "Glee" star, has worked her entire life to overcome challenges. Born with Down's syndrome, she always dreamed of being an actress.
"There were some who said I could never do it," she said Wednesday, addressing a group of approximately 150 students at Fort Hays State University. "I was dancing before I could even walk. I always loved music."
When Potter was 18, she received a phone call from a friend in Hollywood.
"She knew about my dream," Potter said. "I would tell anyone and everyone who would listen."
The casting director was looking for a girl "who wasn't afraid to reach for the stars," Potter said. She must have Down's syndrome, but also be cute, witty and spunky.
They were looking for someone to play Becky Jackson, a cheerleader who overcomes her struggle with the disability, on the new television show "Glee."
"I had always wanted to be a cheerleader," Potter said. "And even though I tried out at my high school, I wasn't allowed to cheer. I knew I wanted this job. I also knew I had to work really hard and do a really good job."
Potter said she still loves playing the part of Becky, but it has been a hard season for the cast after losing Cory Monteith to drugs.
"This has been a sad and rough time for our 'Glee' family," she said. "We lost our dear friend. I loved Cory. He was always so sweet and had so much talent."
She now is adding drug-use to her list of causes.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Let’s End the R-Word Once and For All
John Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics Virginia athlete and global messenger, first spoke out in a 2008 essay called “Using the Word 'Retard' to Describe Me Hurts.” Last October, he wrote an open letter to conservative commentator Ann Coulter, calling her out for her use of the R word as a slur in a tweet. The letter has been viewed more than 3 million times. Frank, as he’s known to friends, has gone on to speak about discrimination all over the country. In honor of Spread the Word to End the Word’s annual day of awareness, we asked Frank to reflect on the Ann Coulter aftermath, the reason he now thanks her, and why he’s so much more than just a label. Frank will also be a guest on HuffPo Live on March 6 at 6pm EST.
It has been a little more than four months since I wrote an open letter to a political commentator asking her to reconsider the use of the term “retard” as a synonym for “loser.” I have received no indication that I have had any luck changing her mind.
I am pleased to say, however, that a lot of people have been exposed to our little debate. The overwhelming majority of comments have been responsive to my argument that the term is one of those unthinking slurs that we could best do without. We should think before we casually perpetuate ugly stereotypes.
People still ask me about what is so wrong with using the R-word. I can only say what it means to people like me when we hear it. It means that the rest of you are excluding us from the group we want to be part of. That’s the hardest thing--the loneliness. We process information slower than you do, so even keeping up in a normal conversation is a constant battle for us. We are aware when you stop and just look at us while we are trying to catch up. We are aware when you just say “uh-huh,” and then move on, talking to each other.
You mean no harm, but you have no idea how alone we can feel, even when we are with you.
During one of the television appearances immediately after my letter went viral, I joked that I wanted to “thank [Ms. Coulter] for introducing me to 3.2 million new friends on the internet.”
I confess: I really have loved all the attention. I loved being on television. I am proud that my story will be included in a book about young people who advocate for themselves and that something else I wrote is being published as part of a writing curriculum for middle-school students. I love being asked to speak to students about how hurtful bullying can be.
But none of this is how I dream of my life. Because I am so much more than that one word.
What I would really love to be known as is just another actor/screenwriter hoping to be discovered. You see, I have a role in a movie due out this spring called The Senior Prank, and I have written a screenplay for a short film called Common Dreams that I hope to get produced this year.
That’s how I see myself and what I am most proud of. That’s my dream: that one day you will look at me and see the person (and maybe the actor/screenwriter?) first, and not the disability. When that happens, we won’t any of us worry so much about labels.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Friday, April 13, 2012
Facebook takes down internet trolling abuse of girl with Down Syndrome
A mum whose Down's Syndrome daughter was subjected to vile abuse by internet trolls has won her battle to have the photos removed from Facebook, thanks to Parentdish.co.uk.
We stepped in after Liz Crowter was alerted to online pages that mocked her 16-year-old daughter Heidi.
Images of the teenager were taken from a Down's support group site posted by her mum and then shared amongst fellow trollers who made 'jokes' about the girl's looks.
Some of the things they wrote about Heidi are too offensive to be repeated here, but several were of a sexual nature.
The mildest was: "I'd do her," according to Liz, from Coventry.
The mum-of-four said she was 'horrified' when she discovered the photos were in circulation and were being used to attack her child.
She told Parentdish.co.uk: "I felt so angry and upset. It was very distressing."
And she said that Heidi – who is internet-savvy – had also seen the abuse and was "very hurt" by the things that had been written about her. Heidi's two older brothers, Dan and Tim, and younger sister Suzy, were also distressed by what trollers were saying about their sister.
We stepped in after Liz Crowter was alerted to online pages that mocked her 16-year-old daughter Heidi.
Images of the teenager were taken from a Down's support group site posted by her mum and then shared amongst fellow trollers who made 'jokes' about the girl's looks.
Some of the things they wrote about Heidi are too offensive to be repeated here, but several were of a sexual nature.
The mildest was: "I'd do her," according to Liz, from Coventry.
The mum-of-four said she was 'horrified' when she discovered the photos were in circulation and were being used to attack her child.
She told Parentdish.co.uk: "I felt so angry and upset. It was very distressing."
And she said that Heidi – who is internet-savvy – had also seen the abuse and was "very hurt" by the things that had been written about her. Heidi's two older brothers, Dan and Tim, and younger sister Suzy, were also distressed by what trollers were saying about their sister.
"But they know how the internet works and just feel sad that there was nothing they could do about it," said Liz.
Heidi's pictures were taken from a local support group website, which Mrs Crowter ran for about five years.
On the group's site, Liz had shared her experiences of being the mother of a child with Down's Syndrome and also went on trips and holidays with the group's members.
In October, she found her daughter's picture on a Facebook page which insulted people with Down's Syndrome and other learning difficulties.
She contacted Facebook and also West Midlands Police, who she said informed her it was not a matter for officers.
Over the weekend Mrs Crowter was told by friends that Heidi's picture had been put on a new page which insulted people with Down's Syndrome.
Liz said: "I felt violated and violated on Heidi's behalf. I'm disgusted that people can be so sick.
"It's not just Heidi, it's photos of other people's children as well."
The photos were originally hijacked to form the background of a "Meme", which was then posted on forums for other users to write a new "joke" over the top.
A Facebook spokesman told Parentdish.co.uk: "These images can and will be removed by Facebook; Liz Crowter would need to use this link to report unauthorised photos.
"Once the images are reported, they will be reviewed by our User Operations team – who are responsible for reviewing incoming reports and taking the necessary action.
"Across much of the wider web there are few controls on behaviour and the content that individuals can post. That isn't the case on Facebook. Facebook has a real identity policy, which makes people accountable for their actions and behaviour.
"When people on Facebook do find themselves in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, we encourage them to use our reporting tools so the content or activity can be investigated.
"We also have a set of rules that set out how people are expected to behave – the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. These rules are intended to create a balance between enabling free speech and preventing harassment and abuse."
Liz said of Heidi: "She is a very independent young lady who is studying for her GCSEs at a mainstream school and doing a hairdressing course.
"She's funny, stubborn and very kind. "We're all very upset about what has happened."
"Once the images are reported, they will be reviewed by our User Operations team – who are responsible for reviewing incoming reports and taking the necessary action.
"Across much of the wider web there are few controls on behaviour and the content that individuals can post. That isn't the case on Facebook. Facebook has a real identity policy, which makes people accountable for their actions and behaviour.
"When people on Facebook do find themselves in a situation where they feel uncomfortable, we encourage them to use our reporting tools so the content or activity can be investigated.
"We also have a set of rules that set out how people are expected to behave – the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. These rules are intended to create a balance between enabling free speech and preventing harassment and abuse."
Liz said of Heidi: "She is a very independent young lady who is studying for her GCSEs at a mainstream school and doing a hairdressing course.
"She's funny, stubborn and very kind. "We're all very upset about what has happened."
Monday, October 10, 2011
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
from pacer.org:
Join the movement!
Communities nationwide are urged to plan for October’s National Bullying Prevention Month and take an active role in the movement against bullying by using PACER resources. PACER has sponsored this event since 2006, when it was a one week event in October and in 2010 evolved to the entire month of October.
During the event—and throughout the year—you are encouraged to use the creative resources here to engage, educate, and inspire others to join the movement.
The major events are:
Oct. 1, Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying
PACER will host the second annual Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying on Oct. 1 in Minnesota. Outside Minnesota, individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations can host a Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying event in their communities using PACER’s free toolkit, available at PACER.org/bullying. The toolkit shows how to plan a Run, Walk, Roll in five easy steps and includes tips, ideas, and resources. The Oregon Parent Center, which initiated the idea, and groups in Kentucky, Nebraska, and other states are also hosting this event.Oct 12, Unity Day: “Make it Orange and Make it End”
Join the movement to “Make it orange and make it end!” and unite against bullying. Make your color orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, Oct. 12. That’s the day everyone can link together—in schools, communities and online—and send a message of support to students who have experienced bullying. Students can unite against bullying on Unity Day by wearing the color orange, using the resources on PACER.org/bullying, handing out orange “UNITY” ribbons at school, or writing the word “UNITY” on their hands or binders. Facebook is partnering with PACER by posting information about PACER activities on its safety, educator, and privacy pages during October.Oct. 26, Unity Dance Day
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, people everywhere can come together in song and dance to raise awareness for bullying prevention by organizing a Unity Dance Day. Schools and community organizations can find everything they need to plan a Unity Dance Day in PACER’s online toolkit. The toolkit includes the designated song for the dance, the choreographed dance moves, and additional materials and resources. The toolkit will be made availible in early September
Whether you are an educator, student, family, or individual you can take an active role during the month, other exciting opportunities include:
- Sign up as a National Partner (national organizations) or Champion Against Bullying(schools, local organizations)
- Add your name to the digital “The End of Bullying Begins With Me” petition
- Talk with your local media about bullying prevention and the activities happening in your own community
- Order bullying prevention bookmarks
- Share your story, poem, artwork or video
- Hold a community event
- Tell why “you care about bullying prevention”
- Spread the word on social media
- Use PACER’s creative classroom toolkits to raise awareness
- Visit the ACT section of TeensAgainstBullying
“The culture of bullying won’t end until people across the country take action and show children and teens that they care,” says Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which sponsors the month.
“This is a very real and painful issue that kids are facing,” Hertzog says. “But they don’t have to face it alone, and bullying can be prevented if we all work together to change the culture.”
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center provides creative and interactive resources that are designed to benefit all students, including students with disabilities. Middle and high school students can visit PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org and elementary school students PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org for additional ideas on how they can take action against bullying.v
Monday, August 8, 2011
"True Confessions of a Bully" from the 2011 NDSC Conference
from ejnolan77:
Dionysus Theatre performance at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention in San Antonio 2011, featuring Michael Iovine as Jack, a Self Advocate, in the play True Confessions of a Bully, a Bully play for schools by Deborah Nowinski
Dionysus Theatre performance at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention in San Antonio 2011, featuring Michael Iovine as Jack, a Self Advocate, in the play True Confessions of a Bully, a Bully play for schools by Deborah Nowinski
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Managing offensive comments on Facebook
From PBS.org:
When it comes to Facebook, what goes up may not come down, at least not without a fight. In many cases, the social networking giant has been slow to act when it comes to offensive content and fake profiles.
Robin Sinkhorn, mother of actress Lauren Potter, who plays Becky in the popular TV series "Glee," learned this last year. Potter has Down's Syndrome. When an onslaught of offensive messages suddenly appeared on her authorized fan page, it took her mother hours -- then days -- to delete them and block the offenders.
"When it was time to protect my daughter, it wasn't easy to do," Sinkhorn recalls. "I ended up having to delete everything -- even the pictures we wanted. [Facebook] needs to be more user-friendly for parents."
The incident had a happy ending when fans from around the world posted updates supporting Potter. The mother and daughter still use Facebook, in part to spread the word about a campaign to raise awareness that using "the R-word" (retard) in any situation -- online or off -- is not okay.
When it comes to Facebook, what goes up may not come down, at least not without a fight. In many cases, the social networking giant has been slow to act when it comes to offensive content and fake profiles.
Robin Sinkhorn, mother of actress Lauren Potter, who plays Becky in the popular TV series "Glee," learned this last year. Potter has Down's Syndrome. When an onslaught of offensive messages suddenly appeared on her authorized fan page, it took her mother hours -- then days -- to delete them and block the offenders.
"When it was time to protect my daughter, it wasn't easy to do," Sinkhorn recalls. "I ended up having to delete everything -- even the pictures we wanted. [Facebook] needs to be more user-friendly for parents."
The incident had a happy ending when fans from around the world posted updates supporting Potter. The mother and daughter still use Facebook, in part to spread the word about a campaign to raise awareness that using "the R-word" (retard) in any situation -- online or off -- is not okay.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Lauren Potter and Glee Recognized at AAPD Gala
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) held its 2011 Awards Gala Tuesday evening, which brought together leaders from government, business and the disability and civil rights communities.
AAPD honored Glee's cast and creative team for leading the way in how young people with disabilities are perceived in popular culture.
Actress Lauren Potter, who plays the role of Becky Jackson on "Glee," accepted the award on behalf of "Glee."
Potter has Down Syndrome and said she will use her fame to help change negative perceptions about people with disabilities and will work to stop bullying by teaming up in an anti-bullying campaign with abilitypath.org.
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