Bullying shouldn’t have to be a part of growing up

I, unfortunately like many others, was teased in middle school. My peers would ridicule me for being too shy and quiet. I remember staying up nights wondering if I was weird. I struggled with that insecurity so much that I felt like I might even deserve the bullying.

But that was a long time ago. Long enough for me to forget how bad it was, at least. But all of it came flooding back to me when I attended the premiere of The Secret Life of Girls at the Dallas Children’s Theater. The play, which is about the challenges middle school girls face every day, gave me déjà vu, making me relive my days as an awkward middle schooler.

I believe I can speak for most females in the audience when I say it was difficult to revisit that experience. And based on the play, it seems like the conditions for junior-high girls are worse today than they were when I was their age. The bullying does seem to stop once you leave school anymore. Technology like cell phones and social networks are now used for bullying 24/7.

While I was watching the play, I kept thinking to myself, “These poor girls. Why is nobody stepping up to stop this?” The choice to take action against bullying is one that teenagers face every day. Since most bullying seems to be done in front of an audience, it’s common for bystanders to watch and shake their heads but not to intervene.

After the premiere, a group of panelists including Children’s psychologist Dr. Andy McGarrahan all stressed the importance of being an “active bystander” during a Q & A session with the audience. They said that even though standing up for someone else isn’t easy, especially for a teenage girl, it makes a big difference

Even though parents can’t speak for their children, Dr. McGarrahan said he believes parents can help their children become active bystanders. He referenced tips from Dan Olweus, Ph.D., one of the leading researchers in bullying prevention, that can be found on Olweus.org:

• Encourage your child to verbally intervene if it is safe to do so, by saying such things as: “Cool it! This isn’t going to solve anything.”
• Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying. This only encourages a child who bullies – who wants to be the center of attention.
• Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying. Talking to an adult is not “tattling” – it is an act of courage and safety. Suggest going to an adult with a friend, if that will make it easier.
• Praise and reward “quiet acts of courage” – where your child tried to do the right thing to stop bullying, even if he or she was not successful.
• Work with your child to practice specific ways he or she can help stop bullying. For example, role-play with him or her what he or she could say or do to help someone who is being bullied.

One way to open the discussion on bullying is to take your child to a showing of The Secret Life of Girls. The final opportunity to see it is this weekend at the Dallas Children’s Theater. Just think – this could be the perfect opportunity to be an active bystander.

Jacyia gets her wish

Jacyia Whitfield is one of those patients whom our staff members want to hang out with. At any given time, you will likely find at least one of them sitting on the edge of her bed discussing celebrity gossip or watching Food Network with her. She just has a special charisma that attracts people - even on days when she can barely walk or talk.

Most of the staff members she interacts with have known her for years, because her condition has made her a regular visitor to Children's since birth. Sometimes, she just comes in for a clinic visit. Other times, she stays for weeks on end. Now is one of those “other times,” and it couldn’t have been more inconveniently timed.

Her sisters, Monet and Chantel, had planned a massive party at home for her 21st birthday. In fact, it was going to be her first birthday party ever. Being admitted to the hospital derailed those plans and devastated Jacyia.

But what she didn’t see was staring at her from the foot of her bed. All those nurses, all those physicians, all those social workers, all those child life specialists who had spent years with her. When they found out she was discouraged about her canceled birthday party, they decided to throw a party of their own.

On Tuesday, July 28, Jacyia celebrated her birthday in style. The staff turned the hospital auditorium into her dream party room. There were virgin daiquiris, catered food, streamers, balloons, pictures of Betty Boop (her favorite cartoon) and a DJ. And all of the family and friends who were going to attend her birthday party at home joined in the celebration at the hospital.

Happy birthday, Jacyia!