General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I’ve read much on the heroics of confronting bulliess recently, that too has a dark side… [View all]loose wheel
(112 posts)I was the asthmatic who suffered from encopresis. I was severely underweight, small, and smelled bad and just couldn't help it. My parents didn't know about encpresis and regularly physically and mentally abused me over that. When I tried to speak I was hesitant and had a bad stuttering problem.
I retreated into books and rarely ever spoke at all when at school. At home I would just hide in the woods until I had to come in.
Yeah, I got bullied. They came in threes and fours most of the time, and no teacher ever asked where I got that black eye or bloody lip from. They would attack me on the playground, and I wouldn't go on the playground. They would atack me in the bathroom, and I would either hold until I got home, which wasn't helpful, or go during class. Some of them found where I lived and followed me into the woods.
I know as much as anyone about trying not to be seen or noticed.
Then something happened. I outgrew the encopresis and started playing football, and gained confidence in myself. I learned how to defend myself, and that I could take somebodies best hit and stand up to it. I also found that I was now the same size as kids my age and didn't have breathing problems anymore. The bullies still came, until I made it plain that I wasn't an easy target anymore.
In all my experience bullies understand one thing. Talking doesn't help, and adults can't always be there.