As a mother, as a human being, the story of Mitchell Wilson is heartbreaking. A young boy fighting to stay ahead of his disability is mugged for a phone by a boy a year older than himself and then tormented for doing the right thing by telling an adult and police. Mitchell took his own life earlier this month fearful of having to testify against the boy that decided it was o.k. to jump a boy with a disability and in doing so changed Mitchell’s life forever.
This is one of those stories where out of heartbreak you can only strive to find hope and determination. I hope Mitchell’s story is never forgotten. I hope the boy accused in this matter is interested in taking his life down a different path rather than crime. I hope Mitchell’s parents and grandparents continue with their determination to see bullying come to an end. I hope the Crown Prosecutor, the defense attorney and the judge can see the role they could play in sending a message about bullying. I hope the courts see the opportunity to make a statement and while courts deal in fact, there are times we turn to them for a dose of reality on social issues and this is one of those times.
The end to bullying comes when no one is afraid to stand up for themselves and when those who think its fun to pick on others realize their actions can have life altering consequences. There’s nothing weak about showing respect for other human beings.
To me it's elementary ... I'm Sandra Watson.
