1. Surviving A Bullys Impact-Part 4

2. Another source in this journey is the support my family has received from Teens of America, a non- profit organization out of Missouri that educates students and provides the tools to overcome various social issues. Teens of America has supported my familys desire to speak out and has sponsored many opportunities to tell our story (and begin the healing process). 3. I never understood until now what Teens of Americas Founder, Sean Mulroney meant when he first referred to me as a mother bulldog when it comes to protecting her child. It has become a very true statement as my involvement in the anti-bulling movement grows.. 4. My involvement with Teens of America began back in April, 2011, when I had first begun my task of reaching out by e-mail to tell Daxs story on the various blogs and websites that promote anti-bullying. During this time, I received an immediate and touching response from Sean Mulroney, Founder of Teens of Americataking time out of his schedule to make a personal call, to reach out and help us through this difficult time. 5. As Sean likes to say his motto is Reaching out to help those who I do not expect a return from and that his wife keeps him true to that message. 6. Sean has been through those hard times in his life a broken family, addiction to alcohol and drugs, and near death experiences, to come out on the other end through the prayers of his mother and the grace of God. Sean has faced many of the same issues our teenagers face today and uses his personal experiences to reach out and educate those who will listen to his counsel through his non-profit, Teens of America. 7. Teens of America gathers students at school assemblies to take the S.T.A.N.D. (i.e. Students Turning Against Negative Decisions) pledge to better themselves and change tragic statistics into triumphant success stories. The mission of Teens of America is to encourage, train, and equip teens with the necessary tools to break the chains of negative choice. (Mulroney, 2011). 8. Teens of America is not afraid to take on challenges and reach out to those willing to tell the raw truth about the consequences of these issues. Teens of America (TOA) is a multifaceted, non- profit organization that impacts the lives of youth, families, and communities across the country. (Mulroney, 2011) 9. Teens of America works in cooperation with schools, police departments, and other community- based organizations throughout the country to instill a passion for success in the hearts of teens. Teens of America works to inspire a commitment to achievement through personal efforts by encouraging teens to stand up for what is right no matter what everyone else is doing. (Mulroney, 2011) 10. Jason Gibbons a/k/a White Shadow 55 is Teens of Americas Director for the State of Maine. Jason works tirelessly to educate young people across Maine and beyond through events such as the Bouncing Out Bullying Event in Bath, Maine. As the Maine Red Claws Emcee and Member of the Harlem Superstars Showtime Basketball, Jason brings the Superstar to Teens of America and this shows both in his talents on and off the court to inspire and entertain with his trick basketball moves and his compassionate heart. 11. Jason has devoted his time to embrace my family and provide us with the hands on training and support as we go forward in promoting the positive messages by Teens of America across Maine and beyond. 12. We all have stories to share but very little time to listen, to not be afraid to speak up, to help a stranger in need, to forgive, and just be there as life tends to slip from your grasp at a moments notice. 13. With the recent addition of Facebook and social media to the internet, we have changed how we keep in touch with friends and family, how news is spread around the globe in a matter of minutes, and how criminals prey on the unsuspecting. Facebook has been linked to a number of crimes, from stalking to identity theft, bullying, assaults, kidnappings, and murders. It is only now we are realizing that the dark side of the internet is infiltrating our everyday lives and needs to be stopped. 14. Taking up Teens of Americas cause to S.T.A.N.D. (i.e. Students Turning Against Negative Decisions) (Mulroney, 2007) is one way you can set an example today that education in the community supports positive role models and decisions; so that victims know where to turn before making the decision to end their lives. By promoting consequences of both tragedies and triumphs over bullying to become a voice and help bring awareness that these rampant crimes will not be allowed to continue. 15. Another way to make a difference is by supporting new laws and voting for the politicians who are strong enough to pass them in the face of opposition, like Rep. Terry Morrison, tell our legal system that First Amendment rights cannot protect hate speech. These laws show those legislators and public officials that this is not just an issue that affects a certain social group; they can no longer bury their heads in the sand, think bullying does not happen on their watch; bullying is not an agenda only for specific groups of age, race, creed, color, and sexual orientation. 16. And finally by giving those who hands are tied, our local police and the legal justice system, the power to be able to do something instead of waiting for a child to be physically touched for what could end up being the first and last time. Bullies need to be held accountable now for their words and actions; counseled on the consequences so that they can get the help they need before costing the taxpayers money by being passed off into the prison system with the sentence of Assailant or Murderer. 17. Bullying is an issue that affects all of us and can have long term consequences. With the assistance of Teens of America and Rep. Terry Morrison, my family has stepped up to that challenge, but cannot combat this alone without your assistance. Only through your efforts today and tomorrow by helping to tell Daxs story and others like it, can awareness spread across the nation on this uncontrolled social issue to help prevent the tragedies many victims and their families live with after being assaulted (physically and/or mentally) by a bully. 18. References Bullying, Cambridgeshire County Council, Children who are bullying or being bullied, Retrieved on August 13, 2012 from http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/parenting/childsbehaviour/bullying.htm Barry, D., (1997) Dave Barry is from Mars and Venus, Ballantine Books. Catalano, D. (April 2012). Witness Impact Statement presented at State of Maine v. Estes Criminal Trial. Catalano, M. (April 2012). Witness Impact Statement presented at State of Maine v. Estes Criminal Trial. Catalano, Jr., R. (April 2012). Witness Impact Statement presented at State of Maine v. Estes Criminal Trial. Estes, J. (January 2011) Facebook Message. The Bully. Maine Family Policy Council Citizen Action Center, Action Alert, (July, 2011) Retrieved September 5, 2012 from http://www.mainefamilypolicycouncil.com/citizenaction/pgac_mainothers.php?id=91 Manor, D., Can Social Media Be Held Accountable for Cyberbullying? Social Times, (April 7, 2010) Retrieved on September 4, 2012 from http://socialtimes.com/social-media-cyberbullying_b9615. Morrison, T. (August 10, 2012) LD 1237 Speech presented at the Bouncing Out Bullying Event, Bath, Maine. Mulroney, S. (2007). Student Handbook. Arnold, MO: Teens of America Publications. Retrieved from http://teensofamerica.net/s-t- a-n-d-.html. 19. References Mulroney, S. (2011). Teens of America. Our Mission. Retrieved August 13, 2012 from http://teensofamerica.net/our- mission.html. Prosecuting Cyberbullies. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, (December 6, 2010). Retrieved on August 13, 2012 from http://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1500650&bts=1 U.S. Const. amend. I (ratified 1791) MUSIC Part-1: TI Featuring Justin Timberlake, Dead And Gone, Paper Trail Album, (2010) Part-2: Shinedown, Bully, Amaryllis Album, (2012) Part-3: Simple Plan, Welcome to My Life, Still Not GettinAny Album, (2004) Part-4: Kellie Coffey, Promises, Walt Disney World, Millennium Celebration Album (Illuminations, Epcot), (1999)