General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Have you ever been bullied? [View all]davsand
(13,421 posts)I was born with a cleft lip that left me scarred for life in spite of repeated plastic surgeries. I got called Harelip an awful lot during my early life. When I was younger, I'd just want to curl up and die whenever it happened. Finally, however, I hit a certain point where I finally snapped on a guy who called me harelip one time too many. After that, the abuse tailed off because I'd learned to make it painful for anybody to mess with me.
Maybe my attitude is not the most productive or even the most PC, but I came to it by living through some pretty dark times. We all tell our kids that it gets easier when you get older--that kids are mean to each other--but I'll tell you directly that the crap does continue even into adulthood. The big difference is that as an adult there IS nobody else to stand up for you. There are no teachers, bus drivers, or even parents to step in and defend you. You have GOT to learn how to deal with it on your own. You can curl up and die inside or you can stand up and refuse to play the victims role.
YMMV, but I will not willingly be a victim for anybody.
Laura