Overcoming adversity always makes a good story, but a
local woman has overcome both physical and emotional scars, and
championing a cause to keep it from continuing.
Gabrielle Ford was diagnosed with a neurological disorder at 12
years old. But dealing with her disability was nothing compared to the
bullying that followed.
She was punched,
ridiculed; students through things at her, and it happened here at Lake
Fenton.
Gabrielle Ford says, "I hadn't been
in the building since I graduated, and I didn't ever want to go back."
That's because was 12 years ago she tripped during her
graduation ceremony. Humiliated, she hid inside her home for a year.
It was a dog named Izzy that brought her back out of her
shell. The dog drove her out of depression and in front of thousands.
Gabe started attending at Lake Fenton Schools in the 8th
grade. Many of the students who listened to her speak are the same age.
It's a presentation that almost didn't happen. She was fearful of the
memories that were still in the building. But Thursday, she conquered
those memories.
Her mother, Rhonda Hillman,
says "It's healing. It feels very good. I know that next time we drive
past Lake Fenton Middle School, which was formerly the high school, that
Gabe won't cringe and have bad feelings. She'll have wonderful memories
that she was the hero today."
A hero, whose
message is hitting home.
Eighth grader
Paula Valacek says, "You should be the better person. You shouldn't talk
bad about people."
Eighth grader Kristen
Cody says, "I think it was really great that she came to our school and
did this. I know it was hard for her."
Sixth
grader Dakota Holzwarth says, "If you bully someone, then you're going
to regret doing that."
Gabe shied away from
pep assemblies when she attended Lake Fenton, not wanting to be pointed
out. But Thursday, it was her turn, not to do the cheering, but the
receiving.
The crowd stood and cheered for
Gabe, her message, and her mission.
Gabe
used to dodge crowds, now she's attracting them across the country. She
once felt like the most unpopular kid in school. But now, she's the one
with the most friends.
Prior to her
diagnosis, she loved to dance.
Now she's
found a better way to do it.
Gabe's book,
entitled "Still Dancing" is available at her website. Click the link
below to check it out.
