Stand up against Bullying

It is anti-bullying week, so I have decided to share my story of what it feels like to be a victim of bullying. Having Asperger's Syndrome meant I was always different than a lot of other kids.By the time I hit my teens I was still more concerned with my passion for reading and knowledge rather than following the crowd and trying to be 'cool'. At the age of 13 I moved to Coventry and changed schools from a mixed school to an all boys school. Being an aspie means I fear change so I came across as anxious and awkward. Only a few months in the teasing and bullying started.

I was called names, made to feel unwelcome and physically hurt on a daily basis. People thought I was strange to prefer reading books over sport. Even though I always volunteered to take part in sports day, I never got thanked by people in my tutor group. As a coping mechanism during three years of bullying I isolated myself from others in hope of avoiding bullies when possible. By year 11 I hit breaking point as told both my mum and my teachers about the bullying. With a bit of will power I obtained the grades needed to do A levels.

The after effects though were damaging. I did well in my A levels but I was too scared to really get talking to people and so was unable to make close friends at sixth form. Then at uni I initially made friends but I did not tell them about my Aspergers and so they thought me to be rude and we drifted apart. Anxiety attacks were a daily occurrence for me in my first year in uni.

Completing the Prince's Trust Team Programme helped me to find my spark back. I made some good friends who continue to show kindness towards me. Moreover, I have come to believe that I was never in the wrong and that it was the bullies who were the problem, not me. It is perfectly fine to be different. Normal is a setting on a dryer machine and cannot be used to define a person. Today I read an article which said that bullying is on the decrease, but the figures only cover reported bullying. As a society we cannot continue to pretend that bullying is not a problem. Bullying needs to be stamped out.

The modern world faces many problems, but bullying is one that can be tackled now! We need to stop stereotyping people and start treating each other equally to show that true democracy can become a reality.

The beauty of knowledge

It is no secret, my mind retains knowledge really well. At the age of 10 I became obsessed with Harry Potter to the extent that I know the majority of the characters by heart. Learning has always been a huge interest of mine. The world is a big place and there is so much to learn.

I always like to read up about history and other cultures as well as reading fiction. I consider my mind well tuned and constantly pondering over facts and philosophy. For example. I read the Hobbit and I ponder its message about being humble and kind and how too much greed can bring evil with it. Despite the growth of science there is still a need to thinker deeper. Sherlock describes an obvious fact as deceiving because facts are human constructs which can be invented to suit human needs.

Plato's allegory of the cave and becoming enlightened refers to seeing what is really there. People seem to think that the government is encouraging people not to be intellectual when in reality the only people that stop us thinking clearly is ourselves.

So in future if you want to find something out or stretch your mind then read a book, or take a walk and watch nature itself. The world is an amazing place and if you want to learn more about it then no one will stop you.

As a uni student I met many students who went to uni with no desire to study which shocked me. I understand that uni provides social opportunities but it is also a place to learn. Improving educational standards is about encouraging people to love learning, they can make exams easier or harder but a good attitude will go a long way to encourage a love of learning.

November Update

I have finally got myself a jobs. The hours I put in to searching on job sites paid off. I am by far more motivated mostly in part by the Prince's Trust team programme. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and made great friends along the way.

My love of books is stronger the ever thanks to being in a better state of mind. My anxiety still exists but I try not to let it dictate my life. My focus is on improving my well being rather than allowing the negativity which exists in the modern world to swallow me up. 

I will try and post on this blog more often, though I am busy with work during the week. My next blog will cover music and how it can help improve my mood. 

Feeling Positive

Yesterday I found out I have got a job and I am over the moon. My persistence has paid off and I am going to reap the rewards. My confidence has been hit a few times in my life so far. I had 3 years of misery at school being bullied on a daily basis. I started to believe that things ere never going to get better. Then university did not help me socially as I have had hoped because of my anxiety issues.

I now plan to rise above the bullies and to do my best to enjoy life. My interests may be considered nerdy, but who cares, they make me who I am. Doctor Who will always be a favourite as long as the BBC continue to make it. Harry Potter will always have a special place in my heart as it has made me into the reader I am today.

With Halloween effectively over, one can now focus entirely on Christmas. May take part in a Christmas Read-a-thon, as I will have plenty of time on my bus journeys to work and back.

Keep an eye on my book blog as reviews and book discussions will be posted in the upcoming months.