Dear Bethany Thompson,

It broke my heart to hear you ended your life because of bullying because of nerve damage in your mouth. I have a physical disorder, too, called cerebral palsy. Like your medical condition, my cerebral palsy has visible effects, such as my limp and bent right hand sticking out. When I was around your age in middle school, I was the victim of bullying too. Sometimes kids would pretend to shout my name in a friendly way only to laugh when I turned around. Sometimes I’d simply overhear kids talking about how my disability is weird. I did not have a lot of friends, and it felt lonely. I felt trapped in a body I couldn’t control. I felt like the other kids were judging me without giving me a chance. Most of all, I felt like the other kids were not taking the time to learn that despite my outside disability, I was just like them on the inside.

I wish that you could’ve seen that it gets better. I’ve learned in my own life that people grow up, and don’t bully you as often when you get older. They learn that it’s dumb to bully someone for the outward effects of a physical disability. I know it’s hard to see when you are young and your school and your classmates are all you know. But, you never know what your future could have been like or what dreams you could’ve accomplished had you stayed alive. As a senior in college, I still face ignorance about my disability from others, but now I’m confident enough to know that what others say about my me or my condition does not define me.

I read that at your last day at school you advocated against bullying and tried to make posters with your friends that said “Buddies, not bullies.” I think it is beautiful how you tried to stand up for yourself and others (in spite of the administration not letting you hang up the posters.) I will continue the fight against bullying for kids like you or my middle school self.

I don’t want to say a lot more, as I realize I’ve never met you, your family, or your classmates or school administrators, and I do not wish to speak to things I do not know. I would just like to conclude by saying my thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, and I hope you are resting in peace.

Sincerely,

A girl not too different from you

More of Bethany's story