It's recently been dominating news headlines, bullying in schools across the country
L'ANSE -- It's difficult to focus on schoolwork when you're being bullied. Just ask Gabrielle Ford, or Gabe, as she is called.
"A lot of kids think that, you know, making fun of somebody or saying something mean, you know, is just going to affect them for maybe that moment,” said Ford. “But it, most of the time, it lasts for a long time, and people remember that for maybe the rest of their life."
Gabe suffers from rare genetic neuromuscular disease, Friedreich's Ataxia, and was the victim of relentless bullying in school. Friday, she visited L’Anse Area Schools to share her message with close to 450 students. Gabe is hoping that by sharing her story, the students will understand the negative, long-term effects bullying can have on a student well after the incident. She's done the same thing on the Today Show, on Animal Planet, and to schools all over the country.
Gabe's mother, Rhonda Hillman, says she believes the cruelty Gabe endured was part of a bigger plan.
"I really believe this, this is what I believe, whether Gabe really recognizes it herself or not, that she has a calling in her life,” said Hillman. “I believe with everything that I have that she is the voice of the nation for the bullied."
And Friday it seems the audience took her message to heart.
"We're all equal to each other, and I think we should be treated the same way,” said seventh grade L’Anse Area School student, Shaylin Menard. “So it's just like the saying--treat people how you want to be treated and respect, and if you respect them, you'll get respect back."
And administrators want it to stick.
"Hopefully what they're doing is self reflecting,” said L’Anse Area School Principal Carrie Meyer. “A little bit thinking about their own behavior and how to improve their behavior for the welfare of our school district."
Gabe also stopped at Baraga Area Schools Friday afternoon.
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