According to stopbullying.gov, 70.6 percent of kids say they have been bullied. That number is way too high. Children are hurting and killing themselves and it has to stop. We have to help children understand that they are perfect just the way they are. Whether they look different, sound different, or whatever the case may be.

Stopbullying.gov also says that only 20-30% of kids who are bullied actually tell an adult. We need to make that number 100%. Every child needs to feel that they can talk to an adult in their life when something bad happens to them. We need to make sure they know we will be there and help in whatever way we can.

We also need to talk with our children about bullying others. Make them understand that it is unacceptable to treat people unkindly for any reason. Change really does start with us.

I’m hoping to make this a photo series showcasing people who were bullied as children but overcame it and pushed ahead. People who know firsthand what bullying feels like but also who know that life does get better. I hope, in this small way, that I can help someone.

My first model in the series is Jenny Rose. She suffers from arthrogryposis, which is a condition that causes joints to become permanently fixed and impacts range of motion. She wants to let people know that there is nothing wrong with looking or being different. I’ll let her tell you in her own words.

“Growing up with a disability isn't easy… it's still not easy. I struggle every day with the simplest things. From brushing my hair, to buckling my bra, but despite having a physical disability it hasn't stopped me from being a mostly independent adult. I'm more confident in myself, and despite looking physically different, I'm not anymore different than you. Life can be hard as a kid, but it gets so much better.”

I hope any child reading this takes her last sentence to heart. It does get better!

I want to thank Jenny again for doing the photo session with me.

** https://www.stopbullying.gov/media/facts/index.html#stats