The Goal

     Once again, here I am. The initial enthusiasm has begun to wind down. Not many page views, no comments, no response. But I do not give up easy. And so I truck on. I want to quickly go over the reasons and objectives of this blog.
     First off, I started this because I saw a video on youtube (link below). After watching Amanda Todd's video, the final one she posted, this video was next in line. It caught my interest. Thirty seconds later I sat with tears in my eyes sniffling away like a baby. And I'm an eighteen year old guy! That just ain't the usual from a guy okay?? I was touched and to be honest, a little broken by what I saw. On the screen a pretty teenage girl showed an incredible and silent strength while telling the tragic story of her life. Her name is Kaelynn, that is all I know about her. But she broke my heart in four minutes and seven seconds. She told of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Who could do that to her? How could anybody be so naive and cruel?? Her humble courage inspired me. I don't want this to ever happen to anyone again, and so here we are.
     Second, the goal of this blog is to explore some steps we can all personally take to counter bullying, and its terrible effects. To many kids have suffered, and it is time to make a difference. Even if it is a small difference in the end, it will be worth it many times over. The following posts on this blog will hopefully reveal some answers to this problem. I encourage discussion, as I am obviously no expert. F'real, I'm no expert. I have never been bullied. I have always had a very warm and loving family, and a great group of friends too. I thank God for that. I have never been the bully either, at least not in a malicious and persistent way. I thank God for that too. But I havent been perfect to people, and the thought that my behavior could have hurt someone is painful. I will be the change I wish to see. Thank you Kaelynn.
     Thanks for reading, please leave some feedback.
-Kaelynn and my secrets link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uvFMGh4_Ag

R.I.P. Amanda Todd

     On October 10, 2012, Amanda Todd committed suicide in her Vancouver home. Bullied, harassed  and alone, Amanda saw one way out. She was 15 years old, and did not need to die. I did not know Amanda. She lived on the other side of a continent. On the day of her suicide I woke up, went to school, and enjoyed pizza for lunch. I wouldn't even know she existed for 18 more days. It was an article on a popular news website by which I came to hear of Amanda. Pure chance while surfing the web shocked me into silence. This article was followed by a youtube video in which Amanda made a plea for help. All she needed was a friend. Some compassion. Some comfort.
     But here I am, eighteen days late. All because I did not know she existed. I will do everything in my power not to let it happen again. If you are bullied. If you are even THINKING about suicide. I am right here! I want to talk to you just as much as you want to talk to someone who cares. And well, I care. Let's talk. yomojoey@gmail.com