righteous anger

my son had himself upset to the point of getting sick over the last week, on top of everything else that is going on with him. the truth came out tonight as to why he wants to drop out of school and be *home-schooled* and why he's been so depressed lately: he's being bullied at school.

what is almost laughable is the bullying is coming from one of his friends from our neighborhood who is in his tolerance class with him. tolerance class.

this kid has been taking a great deal of pride in hitting max about the face and when he was in his wheelchair, pushing him around the room, hitting desks, taking him out and leaving him in the hallway (or something to that effect) and max told us tonight that nobody has been coming to his defense, that they'd all been laughing (as an aside, jim and i so were not laughing at this). he told us he also throws things at his head, hits him with rolled up papers, et cetera. this has been humiliating and embarassing to say the least, and when he was wheelchair-bound, he was unable to fight back or defend himself. i wrote an e-mail to his teacher this evening and will be calling the vice-principal for a meeting tomorrow afternoon.

the only thing he did tell us that made us laugh (as in "incredulous" laughing) is this kid called him a "faggot" because he goes to church. just another "catholic faggot." sorry, but i laughed out loud - this kid is messing with one of God's chosen ones - one of the Most High's kids - and will not get away with that. i said "max, are you kidding me? does he even realize what he is doing when he says that?" i shudder to think, actually. of all things to mock someone about, having faith. LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME AND BLESS HIM.

i remembered a post by my friend rick at new life emerging regarding coming face to face with a bully. i printed a copy of it for max to read in the morning and am also printing out pertinent information on child bullying from the internal link he had within his thread - it is quite exhaustive and if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, there are tons of additional links. i had no idea this was so prevalent but man, talk about ruffling the mama's feathers? he messed with the wrong kid.

we reassured max, in some pretty salty language, i might add, that he is no longer shouldering this alone. now that mom & dad know, he has nothing else to worry about.

Lord, have mercy on me and bless this kid.