Bullying victim just needs a friend

I had lunch with a granny yesterday. She is one of my best friends and is fighting cancer. She has a lot on her plate.

She is distraught about her handicapped grandson. He is in the 5th grade. After school, he goes to her house and almost every day cries about how he hates school and begs her not to send him back. His grades have slipped and he refuses to do homework.

What's wrong? Well, you see, there's a bully. And the bully and his friends make it impossible for the handicapped kid to make friends or build self-esteem. His parents have had numerous conversations with the school about the bullying but it's still going on. The school says they're doing every possible and I choose to believe that. I'm not writing this to cast aspersions on the school because I don't think there is too much they can do. I believe once a bully, always a bully.

I'm writing this to appeal to the parents of grade schoolers. This handicapped kid desperately needs a friend, a good friend. He needs a friend whose parents have taught them right from wrong and stand up for others who can't stand up for themselves. Does this sound like your kid? If yes, have him/her find the kid who's different in the lunchroom. He usually sits alone. Grade school should be the best time in a kid's life not a pressure cooked emotional ride caused by a bully. How do you survive a bully? Friends!

Lynn Dempsey

Bolingbrook