Adolescence Won’t Last Forever | Teen Ink

Adolescence Won’t Last Forever MAG

September 5, 2012
By Anthony DelVecchio BRONZE, Bronxville, New York
Anthony DelVecchio BRONZE, Bronxville, New York
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Bully. Bullied. Bullycide.

When I was little the only connection I had to the word bull(y) involved a character named Ferdinand.

I remember feeling important in preschool. I was the best reader, the most skilled speaker, the most gifted writer. I was always considered awesome.

Kindergarten was the beginning of the end.

I have hypotonia and asthma. That translates to floppy limbs, a weak body, endless hospital stays, and being on steroids so often that I've developed cataracts, what the kids in my school call moobs, and a small hump on my back.

My inability to play sports, my frequent school absences, my awkward walk – ducks run faster than I do – made me a target for bullying.

The other kids said that I had cancer, AIDS, bird flu, swine flu. One kid refused to sit next to me in class because I coughed so loud it hurt. I tried explaining that I had asthma, but that didn't work.

By the end of the first grade, I no one would sit with me at lunch or hang out during recess. No one wanted to be close to me.

“They're just dopes,” my mom would say. Little kids don't understand invisible illnesses.

I learned to spend more and more time in my mind. That helped with the whole not having friends or people to talk to. But when the bullying turned physical, living in my head didn't help.

I remember my shock at getting punched, slapped, and once even having a football spiked over and over on my head. By a girl.

My mother intervened, of course, as did the school administration. The physical attacks ended, but the isolation? The exclusion? That continues to this day.

What was it like being an object of ridicule for the past nine years? No one rushes to be your partner on any assignment. Group projects usually found me all alone at a table doing the work that it took five others to complete.

This past spring we had a class trip that included a scavenger hunt. I was offered the option of pairing up with the science teacher. I stayed home.

Luckily, I have a supportive family. My cousin, Amanda, helps run an anti-bullying program called Dance 4 Peace. They bring a peace education, and anti-bullying programs to schools all over the world.

Amanda has been my mentor. We text during my lunch so I don't feel so alone. She's helped me to get my story out. Putting my experiences into thoughts and words and movement, and modeling appropriate responses, has helped. I've grown a thicker skin.

And when things are especially hard, I remind myself that adolescence won't last forever, but I know I will.



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This article has 4 comments.


Luminary said...
on Jul. 11 2016 at 12:35 pm
Luminary, New Delhi, Other
0 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
Being in love with yourself first doesn't make you selfish,it makes you indestructible. :)

It seriously gave me goosebumps. Amazingly written!

on Aug. 18 2014 at 11:28 am
ImmortalRose GOLD, Arvada, Colorado
17 articles 1 photo 168 comments

Favorite Quote:
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.<br /> Khalil Gibran

This is a beautiful peice. Makes me wanna punch that girl in the face. But that's not the point. The point is not doing that. This piece empowers me. You are a wonderful writer.

on Mar. 27 2013 at 9:48 pm
TaylorWintry DIAMOND, Carrollton, Texas
72 articles 0 photos 860 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Never fear shadows. They simply mean there&#039;s a light shining somewhere nearby.&quot; - Unknown

This is so touching! I loved how the words seemed to really just flow through your fingers and onto the screen; it's truly remarkable how you can write nonfiction so well! Your story really captivated me, and, honestly, a little something clicked in my head while I read that, telling me to be more open, more accepting. I'm going to try and prevent bullying. First, in myself. Then, in others. Everywhere. Thanks for the inspiration!! You're a truly gifted writer!

on Nov. 27 2012 at 4:39 pm
alwayssunshine PLATINUM, Charlotte, North Carolina
24 articles 5 photos 147 comments
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sorry for all that you have had to go through. Sending hope for the future...