I just returned from a visit home to Rochester, NY. Two days in a row, a story about middle school kids ruthlessly taunting elderly bus monitor Karen Klein made the front page there when a video of the incident went viral. Hundreds of thousands of people got a bad impression of Greece (the suburb where I lived the first five years of my life). It’s some consolation that over $700,000 has been raised for the woman by sickened viewers who thought she deserved a nice vacation. Thanks to social media, she can take a lifetime one! She’s also turning something awful into something amazing, seeding the Karen Klein Anti-Bullying Foundation at Giveback.org with $100,000 and becoming an advocate for change!
Being proud of my roots in Rochester—a good place to raise nice kids (like the ones at my high school reunion)—I wanted to share the last video I remember going viral from Greece. It featured cheers, not jeers, and is one of my all-time favorites.
This one is for the special moms of special needs kids out there. May your families’ futures hold many moments like this…
Unfortunately there will be more to come on bullying. I found out first-hand this spring that it’s not just teens who are doing it; it’s moms! Stay tuned.
