If you need a heart-warming ending today, here is your story:

[bobbolink]

http://www.denverpost.com/popular/ci_8329880

I've been following this story, and this is what *should* happen if we are actually all humans.

Adrian Ulm is a 14-year-old who was bullied and taunted at school for being "different"... he is from Germany, and was called "Nazi", "Jew" "gay" and beaten until he had a broken collar bone.

Adrian is now being joyfully accepted in his work in the theater, and a Broadway actor emailed Adrian's lawyer, saying he's been where Adrian is, and giving him encouragement in the theater.

Please look at the picture of this article.... This is the face of a boy enjoying what he chooses to put his energy into! The story is sad, but has a heart-warming ending.

Those of us who've been austracized and constantly bullied, on DU and elsewhere, know what this child has been through, and can celebrate his accomplishment!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Very wonderful

thanks for posting. Theater folks are great!

[Ano Genitus]

2. I like theatre people!

[bobbolink]

3. Me, too!

For a group of people who deal in fantasy, they sure can be great with reality!

:hi:

[dajoki]

4. Wy to go Adrian...

What a wonderful story. Thanks for posting it Bobbie, heartwarming is good!!

K&R

[eleny]

5. A great and happy ending

Those kids all look so happy. Thanks, K&R!

[saracat]

6. As a theater person! (still) this makes me proud! Thanks Bobbie!

[bobbolink]

9. There are so many examples of really fine theater people..here's my fave --

http://www.rockymountainrep.com/YouthTheatre/tabid/57/Default.aspx

I stumbled upon a performance of this youth theater once, and after that made a habit of going every summer. The whole community turns out, and the kids learn so much about supporting each other, and respecting differences.

I wish I'd had this as a kid!

[NMMNG]

7. What do you know?

There are stories of bullied and targeted children that have a happy ending. Thank you for sharing this! :hi:

[bobbolink]

10. I wish this kid the best.... he's been through so much, and to have his life on display...

he's already been a huge success, as far as I'm concerned!

:applause: for Adrian!

[demgurl]

8. It is so nice to see something positive posted.

Thanks for the heartwarming story. How beautiful.

[blondeatlast]

11. Wonderful! the look of joy on ALL those chidren's faces just warms my heart!

Thanks for sharing it. :bounce:

[knitter4democracy]

12. At my college, our drama club was the only safe place.

We ended up having most of the cast-offs, the bullied, the different. We all knew what that was like, so we took everyone in who wanted to be safe, even if that just meant they helped sell tickets or paint flats.

I can understand why he turned to drama. It's a safe place.

[bobbolink]

16. If there was one thing I could do differently in high school, it would be drama club!

Believe it or else, I was quite shy in high school, and the thought of getting up in front of people like that would have terrified me. I could dance on stage, but ... I felt confident in my dance, and I didn't really pay attention to the audience. (Also, I just wet my pants before a performance! hehehe)

I was taught that I had no talent in other stuff, so.... I didn't even have an inclination.

NOW... I love theater, and hung around an amateur group for a while, and even got to set and gell the lights and cut gobos! Now THAT was fun!

I can really believe it can be a haven for people who feel left out.

Bless the theatah! :hi:

[knitter4democracy]

17. Our high school Forensics team helped a lot of kids in that situation.

Instead of performing for crowds, you just performed for your competitors and the judge. Much easier to get over stage fright that way. :) I did Storytelling all four years and loved it. Our college didn't have a Forensics team, so I had to go into drama. I wasn't used to blocking or even being on stage with other people, so it took me a bit to get used to the differences.

I competed in the individual events: http://www.themifa.org/html/index.html

[TahitiNut]

13. Courage.

All we have to do is look more closely and we can find enormous courage even in our own neighborhoods ... maybe even next door. It's something we need MORE of ... and must celebrate. (It's our duty.) Bravo, Adrian.

[Nutmegger]

14. Thank you so much bobbolink.

I enjoy your posts in the Edwards support group too. Thanks for this.

R&K!

[bobbolink]

21. Thanks so much for the kind words! It means a lot to me!

And :toast: to Adrian!

:hug: Nutmegger

[ShadesOfGrey]

15. k&r

[antigop]

18. Theater lover here! Family members who are actors and actresses.

Lots of liberals in the theater! Lots and lots.

Someone told me why....because, to be in the theater, you have to get inside someone else's head to play that character.

Empathy, my dear Watson, empathy.


Thanks, bobbolink.

[bobbolink]

19. Empathy! Yes, empathy! It's an endangered characteristic :(

Maybe drama can be a required course...??

OK, maybe I'm not actually kidding.

I read an article a while back which I can't find now.. something about the dangers of education, and how it trains out some of the best "feeling" aspects of people.

Having grown up in Los Alamos, the highest levels of Ph.D.s per capita in the nation, I can believe that. I had a neighbor who used to say, "You meet a physicist on the street and say 'Hello', and he's stuck for an answer."

:hi:

[antigop]

20. "It's all about trying to understand another person, ....."

That's a quote from the article.

So true.

Liberals make great actors and actresses.

[RuleOfNah]

22. Kick

:kick: