An amazing article in today’s West. I was always pleased my children weren’t bullied but have never considered if they added to another child’s problem. I don’t think so, but this highlights that I haven;t thought enough about it.
I knew you a few years ago and you are one of the most beautiful men I have met. I often tell my husband about you when we walk through Mt Lawley, and I miss you when I decide what movie to watch. Was happy/sad to be reminded of you again when I read the paper this morning.
I wish we could pretend school never happened. I have only ever known you to be a kind amazing person… And from reading your blog a little bit I see I’m not the only one who loves you…
I saw the article you wrote in the newspaper today. I’m fourteen years old, and I just wanted to say that your article touched me. Many people at my highschool still act the way they did back then- “gay” and “faggot” are still some of the most commonly used words. I don’t know if you will read this, but I hope that you can turn your life around and be happy again. A big Internet hug to you. xx
I have just finished reading the article in The Weekend West. What an inspiration you are to everyone, it takes alot of courage to speak out about such painful memories.
I have tried so hard to instil the strength in my kids to not only stand up for themselves but for others around them. I will be reading your story to them tonight, it touched me and I know it will encourage them to stand up in the school yard and support their friends when they need it most. Both of my kids have been bullied in the past, both have responded differently, both have found ways to cope but the damage to self esteem is hard to undo. As you say all kids deserve acceptance, and the inner knowledge that they are perfect just the way they are with all their strengths and weaknesses.
Keep strong and thank you so much for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your story in the newspaper. Unfortunately I can relate, even though I wasn’t subjected to any physical abuse, though there was always the fear of it. Being bullied and ostracised had such a devastating affect on my personality and the course of my life. I had to change schools in year 11 but the bullies caught up with me and I ended up leaving school altogether. This led to a long succession of low paying and low skilled jobs, and a variety of courses most of which I never finished. I’ll be on anti-depressants forever and I accept that. I’m back in therapy after attempting suicide a few months ago & I now have a Psychiatrist to oversee my medication instead of my GP – this is very important! (Efexor has been tripled & Mirtazapine added to the mix). I seem to be functional at work but can’t handle very much stress or pressure, & I’m still as socially isolated as I was when I was ostracised by my peers 23 years ago. As for relationships, I’ve successfully avoided them for 13 years now, & for much of the time before that.
I’m trying to get better and hope to be happier. I wish that for you too. All the best Seb.
Thank you so much Seb Email me anytime ok? I’m going through it too. Agoraphobia, panic attacks, trust issues … I know them well. How have we survived? Fingers crossed for you & me both.
I’ve been reading through some of your blog posts – I left you a message regarding supermarkets – so glad it’s not just me!
Nice to meet you, Seb…just read your article in today’s newspaper and it’s good to see someone is speaking out about bullying in the schools…while I don”t recall being bullied in school (It’s been quite a number of years since I’ve been in school so there wasn’t a problem then…the kids just didn’t get away with it…and the parents were more involved in their children’s lives…AND not as much technology which I think isn’t a bad thing), I’ve suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts since my teens…so I can relate to the depression side of things…my prayers go out to you and others like you. God bless you richly!!!!
Hi Seb,
Last night I read your article in the Saturday West. Your previous name and the photo of you as a teenager in navy/white triggered a memory in my head, and I keep thinking that you were at the same high school as I was. I started at willetton SHS in 1986, finishing Year 12 in 1990, so if you are the person i am thinking of, you were little bit ahead of me at school.
I only have a vague memory of you, as I didn’t know you then, just as a face at school. I am so terribly appalled at the things that you described happened to you, and that it was happening in the school that I was attneding. I am so sorry for what you went through, and are still battling with. I hope that you do find some peace and are able to find a way to banish the demons from that time completely.
I’m an American man who spent seven years from primary to graduation protecting children who were picked on. My Irish father taught me to do nothing if not done rightly, so I lived my life to do right, and I stood up for those picked on. It’s just wrong.
Seb, I was afraid your story was going to end with a suicide, similarly to the fear i held of people I attended school with. But, you made it, and now you’re doing what you can to change it, thanks!
Life, picked on, harassed, beaten even is better than death.
An amazing article in today’s West. I was always pleased my children weren’t bullied but have never considered if they added to another child’s problem. I don’t think so, but this highlights that I haven;t thought enough about it.
Hi Seb,
I knew you a few years ago and you are one of the most beautiful men I have met. I often tell my husband about you when we walk through Mt Lawley, and I miss you when I decide what movie to watch. Was happy/sad to be reminded of you again when I read the paper this morning.
I wish we could pretend school never happened. I have only ever known you to be a kind amazing person… And from reading your blog a little bit I see I’m not the only one who loves you…
Much love to you…
x x
To Seb-
I saw the article you wrote in the newspaper today. I’m fourteen years old, and I just wanted to say that your article touched me. Many people at my highschool still act the way they did back then- “gay” and “faggot” are still some of the most commonly used words. I don’t know if you will read this, but I hope that you can turn your life around and be happy again. A big Internet hug to you. xx
I have just finished reading the article in The Weekend West. What an inspiration you are to everyone, it takes alot of courage to speak out about such painful memories.
I have tried so hard to instil the strength in my kids to not only stand up for themselves but for others around them. I will be reading your story to them tonight, it touched me and I know it will encourage them to stand up in the school yard and support their friends when they need it most. Both of my kids have been bullied in the past, both have responded differently, both have found ways to cope but the damage to self esteem is hard to undo. As you say all kids deserve acceptance, and the inner knowledge that they are perfect just the way they are with all their strengths and weaknesses.
Keep strong and thank you so much for sharing your story.
Hi Seb,
Thank you for sharing your story in the newspaper. Unfortunately I can relate, even though I wasn’t subjected to any physical abuse, though there was always the fear of it. Being bullied and ostracised had such a devastating affect on my personality and the course of my life. I had to change schools in year 11 but the bullies caught up with me and I ended up leaving school altogether. This led to a long succession of low paying and low skilled jobs, and a variety of courses most of which I never finished. I’ll be on anti-depressants forever and I accept that. I’m back in therapy after attempting suicide a few months ago & I now have a Psychiatrist to oversee my medication instead of my GP – this is very important! (Efexor has been tripled & Mirtazapine added to the mix). I seem to be functional at work but can’t handle very much stress or pressure, & I’m still as socially isolated as I was when I was ostracised by my peers 23 years ago. As for relationships, I’ve successfully avoided them for 13 years now, & for much of the time before that.
I’m trying to get better and hope to be happier. I wish that for you too. All the best Seb.
Thank you so much Seb
Email me anytime ok? I’m going through it too. Agoraphobia, panic attacks, trust issues … I know them well. How have we survived? Fingers crossed for you & me both.
I’ve been reading through some of your blog posts – I left you a message regarding supermarkets – so glad it’s not just me!
Take care, hope to hear from you one day
xx
Nice to meet you, Seb…just read your article in today’s newspaper and it’s good to see someone is speaking out about bullying in the schools…while I don”t recall being bullied in school (It’s been quite a number of years since I’ve been in school so there wasn’t a problem then…the kids just didn’t get away with it…and the parents were more involved in their children’s lives…AND not as much technology which I think isn’t a bad thing), I’ve suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts since my teens…so I can relate to the depression side of things…my prayers go out to you and others like you. God bless you richly!!!!
Thank you for your article today.
Hi Seb,
Last night I read your article in the Saturday West. Your previous name and the photo of you as a teenager in navy/white triggered a memory in my head, and I keep thinking that you were at the same high school as I was. I started at willetton SHS in 1986, finishing Year 12 in 1990, so if you are the person i am thinking of, you were little bit ahead of me at school.
I only have a vague memory of you, as I didn’t know you then, just as a face at school. I am so terribly appalled at the things that you described happened to you, and that it was happening in the school that I was attneding. I am so sorry for what you went through, and are still battling with. I hope that you do find some peace and are able to find a way to banish the demons from that time completely.
Good luck.
Seb,
I’m an American man who spent seven years from primary to graduation protecting children who were picked on. My Irish father taught me to do nothing if not done rightly, so I lived my life to do right, and I stood up for those picked on. It’s just wrong.
Seb, I was afraid your story was going to end with a suicide, similarly to the fear i held of people I attended school with. But, you made it, and now you’re doing what you can to change it, thanks!
Life, picked on, harassed, beaten even is better than death.
Dave