I never really knew how bullying could affect someone--their health, their attitude for learning, their general behavior, until it started happening to my little brother. My little brother is handsome, a fantastic chef, compassionate, but that is not what he is described as in school while struggling with algebra--he is called "fat," and "fag." Numerous times he has stayed home for fear of being bullied. My mom's heart is broken by this so most times she just lets him. He is in his last year of middle school and it is still happening--his only hope is that high school is different like everyone tells him. I've never met a sweeter and more caring person and I can only hope that these peers of his won't make him jaded and weary towards life when he has so much ahead of him to be excited about. I am thankful for this site and the people who's stories I have read as I now understand the struggle and the community in the fight to end bullying. Thank you.