July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Children are all deserving of love

Letters to the Editor

To the editor:
Let’s talk about kids and bullies.
We all know some. Some of us have been one. It’s a fact of life.
I think that children are some of the meanest people in the world. It is what it is.
However, when your child is targeted, what do you do?
Anger comes first. Do you react to that anger? Probably not a good idea.
Do you talk to parents, teacher? You could, but it usually does no good.
So what are parents left to do?
Zero tolerance at school is a joke. Too many kids, too few teachers. Teachers are grossly outnumbered.
Any of you that know me at all know that I have a special needs child. She was born 4 months premature and has lifelong disabilities. Not her fault. She is sweet; she is bright in her own ways.
Is she odd? Absolutely. She is made just the way God intended her to be made, quirks and all.
Does that mean she is less of a human with feelings and rights of her own? I certainly don’t believe so. I have zero respect for any human being that can belittle another simply because of a birth defect.
Would you love your child if your perfect little cherub went out and got into an accident and suddenly became disabled? Would you be upset if others made fun of and out right harassed them? I think so.
We all have a place in this life. It changes as we grow. We sometimes backslide, but we all have a purpose. My daughter, Erin, has a purpose.
Teach your children well. Teach them to love others for who and what they are. Regardless of their disabilities.
All people have disabilities in some way. We all fall short somewhere.
So please, teach your children to love and accept. They don’t have to be everyone’s best friend, but a little basic human respect would be nice.
When this particular trial comes to an end, there will surely be another one up ahead. It seems to be Erin’s burden to bear. And for us to continue to remind her that not everyone that smiles at you is your friend, something that she simply doesn’t understand.
She is a very loving, open kid. She sees something good in everyone she meets. Even when they are being mean to her.
Hug your kids tonight, be thankful for everything they are. And, please, teach them to be good to one another.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day when my girl comes home without tears in her eyes.
Dawn Dressel
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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