I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, wondering: were you ever bullied as a kid?
I can recall one day in elementary school, a bunch of older kids teasing a hard-of-hearing classmate behind his back. And then, when I was in junior high school, there was Benjamin Wallace, bless his heart – he wore thick glasses and had a speech impediment. I remember when Benjamin had to be called out of class to attend speech therapy; the kids in the back row would giggle and poke fun at him. And finally when I was in high school, there was David Liebergott, it seems that David received the brunt of jokes all the time. David was a smart kid and he made great grades, but he would stride quickly down the hallway, making sounds like he was a sports car revving up. I guess you could say David was the class joke, but you know, looking back I do believe David could probably have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum – in fact, thinking about it, his behavior and mannerisms (like repetitive flapping of his hands), all of it was very much like kids with autism today.
When it comes right down to it, teasing and intimidation are just plain old bullying. In fact, not long ago in the news two high school girls in Maryland bullied a boy with autism – their harassment was pretty severe, and sadly, these two girls videoed their abuse of this boy on their cell phones. Because these two had done similar acts to other kids with disabilities, they both received strong sentences in juvenile detention facilities. According to a study done in 2013, 38% of children with autism are bullied. Wow! And of those children, 69% end up traumatized and 8% were physically harmed.
I don’t know why, but when it comes to a disability, it provokes either the best in people or the worst responses. We’re either compassionate toward the weak, or we ignore, chide, or worse, scorn. This is why in Leviticus chapter 19, the Lord says outright, "Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord." This warning doesn’t just go for the way one treats those who are deaf or blind; no, it’s for how you treat anyone who may have any kind of disability: a facial disfigurement, some other physical limitation, a speech impediment, or odd behavior. When disparaging things are said against others, they may not know it, but God does. God is aware. He sees what’s going on; He knows what’s being said. And He is Lord.
This is National Bullying Prevention Month, and now more than ever, parents and caregivers need to be aware of the signs of bullying, especially if the one who has an invisible or visible disability is a child. This is why you really must, must go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and watch a remarkable little video that we’ve put together just for kids. It’s something every child with a disability should watch, but, hey, you’ll be inspired even if you’re an adult who has never bullied anyone. So go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and watch this short but powerful story about Heather and Sara and how they became friends despite all the bullying. It will touch your heart! Again, that’s my radio page at joniandfriends.org. Finally, do not forget that wonderful verse from Leviticus chapter 19. Do not be a stumbling block to those with disabilities; show them compassion and show them the Savior who loves them, too.
© Joni and Friends
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376