Dan’s heartbreaking plea and the ordeal Jackson endured at the hands of other children serve as a stark reminder that no one should have to suffer through bullying.
Jackson Bezzant is a typical elementary school kid. He is a cheerful young man who enjoys fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Jackson differs from other children only in that he was born with a disease called Treacher-Collins syndrome. It affects the growth of facial tissue and bones.
In Jackson’s situation, that means he had surgery to reconstruct his eye socket and is almost completely deaf.
In addition, this caused him to experience constant bullying at school by children and even some adults.
A father in Idaho was “devastated” when he found out his son was called a “monster” at school.
Afterward, the distraught father finally decided enough was enough and set out on a mission to teach his boy’s abusers a lesson.
Dan, Jackson’s father, saw this bullying often.
He remembers hearing the woman exclaim, “Did you see that little boy’s face?” as she passed them as they walked down the street with his child.
Dan usually remained calm and focused all of his attention on keeping his child happy and grounded, something that any parent witnessing their child being tortured would struggle to do.
However, a recent event at school forced Dan to speak up as he was no longer able to remain silent.
Three older boys came up to Jackson Bezzant while he was eating breakfast in the school cafeteria.
They started making fun of the youngster, calling him “ugly” and a “monster”. Jackson endured the brutal taunts as he sat there, helpless, until a teacher’s aide saw it and intervened to stop it before it got worse.
Dan was moved to tears when he heard the story, but the situation was far from over.
Dan was going to send a clear message to all of his son’s abusers: enough is enough.
He rushed to Facebook to write an emotional message condemning the bullies because he was tired of constantly witnessing his young son being bullied, mocked, and humiliated.
Dan opened his essay by saying, “My heart is in pieces right now and my soul feels like it’s being ripped out of my chest,” according to People Magazine.
“This handsome young lad, my son Jackson, has to endure a never-ending bombardment of ignorant remarks and insults. His classmates regularly refer to him as a monster, weird and ugly. He mentions suicide when he was less than 8 years old. !
He claims that everyone hates him and he has no friends. The kids push him and throw pebbles at him while shouting these vile comments. Please take a moment to think about what you would do if it were your child. Take a moment to explain to your children about people with disabilities. Talk to them about empathy and mutual love.
Treacher Collins is the name of his disease. even research it. He has had many gruesome surgeries and will have more in the future,” Dan wrote.
Dan doesn’t blame them, and he doesn’t want others to either, although some may blame the school or the instructors for the bullying Jackson endured.
Instead, he wants to put the blame where it belongs – on parents who have failed to instill love, compassion, and acceptance in their children.
“I hope the parents who read my essay know my pain. Please let your kids know that bullying is not acceptable. Please share. No one should have to go through this,” Dan commented.
Jackson was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, so his appearance often drew criticism.
The unusual disorder disrupts the growth of facial tissues and bones, leading to inappropriate development and obvious deformities.
Tragically, she will require many more surgeries in her lifetime.
Jackson’s schoolchildren contacted Dan and his family after reading his message in an attempt to befriend and care for the cub.
Even Jackson was able to connect with two close children who share Treacher Collins Syndrome thanks to Dan’s poignant comments. Now they get together to have a date.
Dan set up a mailbox for people to send letters or cards to Jackson after he was overwhelmed with support, and the mailbox has been filling up fast ever since!
It broke my heart to read Dan’s impassioned plea on Facebook and learn about Jackson’s abuse at the hands of other children. NO ONE should tolerate bullying.
Many instances of bullying are certainly unintentional; children may occasionally comment on what they see without thinking about the consequences or how they might make others feel. But as Dan showed, a little knowledge can stop a lot of suffering.
Tell Jackson’s story if you agree.
Bullying is a pervasive problem that affects countless individuals and often leaves lasting emotional scars. It is crucial for society as a whole to recognize the impact of bullying and take proactive measures to address it. By sharing stories like Jackson’s, we shine a light on the consequences of bullying and the urgent need for compassion and acceptance. Each person can contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment by teaching children about empathy, kindness, and respect for others’ differences. Together we can stand up to bullying and ensure that no child or individual feels isolated, unworthy, or labeled a ‘monster’ just because they are different.