I'm deaf. I was born deaf. I went to a public school. I was bullied because I was different than the others. I'm profoundly deaf, and I speak in American Sign Language. I had an interpreter with me at almost all times. I got picked on constantly. I never wore my hair up my whole elementary years. I was afraid they'd laugh at my hearing aids or think I'm not normal. I moved to a deaf school. Regardless of being in a school where we speak the same language and share the same traits, I was still picked on. I got picked on to the point where I started picking on other people. But that did not last long. Luckily, I realized sooner enough than most people do. I stopped because I realized how much pain I was in when I was the victim. That just tells me other people are in pain as well when I pick on them. I stopped and decided to be the better person that I can be. I learned to ignore the bullies, and report them when it's necessary. I learned to help stand for the others. It's okay to stand up for the others. Sometimes not most people are strong enough to stand on their own. They need one more pair of legs to help them gain courage to stand up for themselves in the long run. STOP BULLYING. It's not cool, or "in." It was never in. Constantly picking on the others until they finally give up the only life they were able to live is not "in" nor cool, at all. Respect. Equality. We all need them. You may be only one person, but one person can make a big difference in the world. Start now.