ALLEGAN, Mich. – Bryce Frost, 14, made the decision to start eighth grade in home school, after he said he faced years of bullying abuse in public school.
He grew up with autism, and in third grade, his family said he was often bullied to the point of fainting; even diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when he was younger.
“I was not really learning that much, because basically I was afraid somebody would come back and behind my back, I was afraid somebody was going to fight me,” said Frost.
Now homeschooled, Frost told FOX 17 he’s focused. He wants to be robotic engineer; but on top of that, he said he wants to help people, students like him.
“As long as I can help one person to stop the bullying I’ve done by job,” said Frost. “Or if I help one person to get stronger, I also have done by job.”
In October, Frost started the Facebook page, Stop the Bullying Now. Then he raised more than $800 on GoFundMe to make t-shirts, bracelets, and to show the documentary Bully at the Allegan Regency Theatre Sunday Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
The 2012 film is critically acclaimed and shows the cruel effects of bullying on students.
“I want to spread awareness, and I want to show the bullies how these five people went through some tough things, and how it can affect them,” said Frost.
Frost wrote this pledge, an oath he lives by and hopes to inspire others with:
“I am against bullying, I pledge that I will not bully others. I will help others who are being bullied. I will be brave and speak up when I see bullying. I will show love and peace to one another, no matter who they are.”
And he tells others facing bullies to speak up, and to never give up.
“You should never, ever give up,” said Frost. “You should always be strong. You just want to show that you’re better than those people, and ignore them, try to focus on school.”
Frost is working with Allegan County Community Mental Health to host the showing of Bully, and to push forward in their mission against bullying. They say they hope to organize a 5K walk and run next year.
If you see, hear, or face any bullying, you can report it on the free mobile appOK2SAY. This also connects you to the Suicide Prevention Hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
