Before You Decide To Stand Up With Me, Let Me Introduce Myself....

April 20, 2013

My name is Veruka and I'm 8 years old.  

I've been bullied before and I know how it feels. 

When I'm bullied, it's usually about my name because it reminds kids of the character from Willy Wonka, Verucca Salt. 

It makes me feel sad and embarrassed when kids sing or shout "Verucca Salt" at me in a mean way, when they know she isn't a nice character.  And when I was in Kindergarten I hated people making fun of my name so much that I tried to change it - but it was too hard to stick with a new name.  So, I guess I'm stuck with my original name, but I'm OK with it now.

I've also seen my friends and strangers being bullied and when that happens, that also makes me sad.  I've stood up to bullies once or twice, but usually, I've been a Bystander - I don't know what to do when I see someone being bullied.  I mean, I know what to do, it's just that sometimes it's really hard to do it - but I'm hoping to change that.

I'm writing this blog to help support kids who are being bullied and also to help myself be less of a Bystander and more of a Protector.