The transition from elementary school to middle school is hard. I have seven classes now and I walk all over the school. I have PE every day now.
Some kids can be mean. I know that. I need an aide to help me walk to class and I have an APE—adapted physical education—coach who helps to modify PE activities to make them easier for me.
I really appreciate all of their help, but I struggle with the comments that kids make. In PE we have to change into our uniforms, and in the locker rooom one girl was like, “You’re slowing us all down!” That hurt because she hadn’t even opened her locker yet. Well, after I had opened my locker and gotten dressed, I opened hers for her.
After I had walked to PE with my aide, one girl said, “The only reason you have an aide is because there’s something wrong with you.” I’d gotten the “wrong” comment several times before, and it still hurts every time someone says it. But I just ignored her and continued getting dressed. Let me tell you something—it is really, really hard to ignore someone like that. But it’s just not my style to retaliate. The important thing is, that after people tell you stuff like that, don’t believe them. They have more things “wrong” with them than you. Everyone does—we’re imperfect humans. They most likely are trying to pull you down because it makes them look better. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t make anyone look better to be mean to someone. It probably just makes them feel better.
I know it’s really hard to deal with that. You’ll get through it, I promise. And I will, too.
