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Bullying awareness is important each and every day here at York Catholic. This week, November 13-19 is designated as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week and many schools have been busy with events to highlight this very important week.
On October 25, Mr. Azeem Kayum presented to the Grade 6 to 8 students at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill. Azeem, who has spoken at many York Catholic schools, is a motivational speaker and author who suffered a spinal cord injury at birth in 1979, resulting in severe neurological damage. He spent his first year at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Azeem is 27 years old and is still considered as "multiple handicapped." Despite his inherent limitations, he continues to defy all the medical and educational odds.
During his presentation, Azeem shared personal stories of peer bullying due to his limited abilities as a young boy. Students were awestruck by Azeem’s message of acceptance, tolerance and anti-bullying. Students sat quietly for an hour, not only listening to Azeem’s hardships, but focusing on his great accomplishments and his message of bullying prevention and inclusion.
After hearing Azeem’s presentation, students gave their testimonials of how it made them feel.
“I was fighting back tears because of his inspiring story,” said one student.
Another student expressed how Azeem’s story helped him with his own struggles with bullying.
"I was getting teased at school. Azeem made me understand that even though he was different, he was able to do what everyone else did. He taught us to be yourself and to never give up on your dreams, because at the end of the day, you will succeed."
Azeem’s presentation even impacted a group of students and changed its dynamics.
“When we went outside for recess we were hugging and apologizing to each other for any past exclusion or bullying we may have done to one another, either intentionally or unintentionally. His message had a huge impact on us!”
At Our Lady of the Lake Catholic College School in Keswick, students organized and participated in the Huddle-up Bullying Prevention Program, in partnership with the Toronto Argonauts and the Canadian Safe Schools Network. The program is an all-encompassing opportunity for the student population to focus on the impact they can have to prevent bullying at school.