Anti-Bullying Legislation Presented in Orlando-Should it Pass?

If you are the parent of a child that has ever been bullied, then you may be aware of this anti-bullying legislation that is being pushed to passed in Orlando, Florida. Not only should it be passed, but it should pass without the need to be pushed.

Tricia Norman, the mother of a young girl that committed suicide after being bullied is working hard for those kids that won't speak up for themselves or that can't speak up for themselves. It's heartbreaking but true. She is asking lawmakers to consider passing this new state and Federal anti-bullying legislation because the current laws just don't do enough.

Her daughter Rebecca was only 12 when she jumped to her death at a concrete plant last September. At the age of 12, what young woman thinks about doing such a thing? How could this possibly be what our youngsters have to think about these days?

Shouldn't she have been thinking about going to boy band concerts, studying and doing homework, and dreaming of her future? This is what most teenage girls do, but for Rebecca the struggles were very different. Hers were deeper, and something no young woman or young man should ever be thinking about.

Just a few months after her death, the Sheriff arrested two of her classmates for aggravated stalking that they believe led up to her death. It's a fear that not only could your child be bullied, but it's also sad to think that your child could be the one doing the bullying.

If you read our post a week ago about Demi Lovato and what she is doing to take a stand against bullying, and to reach out to those that have had this experience, then you will hear that she too is in support of this anti-bullying legislation.

Although the girls were taken into custody and questioned, the girls were let go with insufficient evidence. As a mother, I am sure that Tricia Norman gets no rest, and the fear is that the message being sent out is that this is acceptable behavior.

Would you vote for this anti-bullying legislation? I know I would, because there isn't enough being done. The parents want the school to raise their children, and the teachers don't want to deal with the changes in students because it's overwhelming.

We would love to hear from you! How do you feel about this issue? Where do you stand on bullying with teens? Would you vote for this "anti-bullying legislation"?

Anti-Bullying Campaign Encouraged by Teen with Tourette's

It isn't all that unusual now that anti-bullying efforts are made, however, oftentimes they are still unsuccessful. Recently, an article was published by CNN, in their Human Factor.

A young boy named Jaylen Arnold was the youngest to be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, but being bullied didn't injur his spirit. Instead, he decided to turn his experience into something inspiring for other teens like himself. He says, "Bullying, no way."

At the age of 13, Jaylen is leading a national foundation to put to an end to bullying. We wanted to share his story with you, so that you can be inspired to action, and maybe consider leading an anti-bullying campaign of your own. Check this out!

How the Vision for the Anti-Bullying Campaign Began 

Imagine that you have a physical condition that is beyond your control. How would you feel if you were being ridiculed by everyone around you, and it never stopped. That is what Jaylen Arnold has experienced, and he rose to the occasion to use this an experience to help those that befriended him to overcome their teasing too.

His condition was diagnosed when he was in second grade, and the bullying began. Not only that but those he was friends with were also being ridiculed. His mother wanted to pull him out of the school, but as a child, you can imagine the thought of leaving his friends behind. His main concern was not being there if they were being bullied by others.

Jaylen's big heart also created a large worldview, in that he considered that this must be happening all around the world. WOW. A young boy could have so much insight at such a young age, and that is amazing. CNN asked him how he encourages others to stop bullying, and his answers are so simple.

• Tell a parent! 
• Surround yourself with good friends! 
• Understand that what makes you different is okay and it's not bad! 

Can we ever come to appreciate those that aren't just like us? Jaylen's Challenge Foundation aims to not only educate others about what brings bullies out into the open, but how they treat other kids, and how to address it. However, the mission is so much more, and since that time, Jaylen has been on TV with Katie Couric, and with the help of others has launched a massive anti-bullying campaign.

You can learn more about you can contribute and how you can be a part of Jaylen's efforts when you go to www.jaylenschallenge.com. We encourage you to join our community here at Courageous Life, and learn more about how you can work with us to promote "anti-bullying" too!