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Search for'I have to live with the guilt': Tragic Sam's mum writes moving message
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 09:15
The ex-pupil of Severn Vale School in Quedgeley is believed to have hanged himself after becoming the victim of online and verbal bullying about his alternative dress sense and love of Emo music.
Now his brave mum, Sally Cope, has written an open letter to the bullies and their families in a bid to stop other youngsters suffering like Sam.
THIS is an open letter from the mother of Sam Leeson to the parents of the teenagers who may have contributed to his death.
FIRSTLY, I would like to say a tragedy like this has the capability to bring out the very worst and the best of human nature. I would like to thank everyone who has sent heartfelt and true messages of love and sympathy. We have received so much support from the medical staff and the police, Kidscape, The Goo Goo Dolls and even strangers.
The worst is represented by the disgusting distortions of beautiful tributes made by Sam's friends on YouTube a company which our local MP is going to investigate and flowers displayed, which in some cases were tainted with the scent of guilt after the event!
As parents with the summer holidays approaching, I expect you are all making plans – holidays, days out, family functions. I have none of those to look forward to. I have a summer of sadness, actual physical pain that overwhelms at regular intervals.
My attempts to remember happy times as he was growing up are swamped by loneliness and a deep longing for my son; all I can think of is his violent and untimely death.
We are also homeless without roots, as the family home we were all doing up together is now a shell of unhappy memories.
We cannot live in the house my son took his life in. My daughter has started a new school and has that to cope with, as well as the death of her brother.
For those parents/educational professionals who think bullying in any form is “messing about” and part of growing up, please think again For all of the kids who prod, push, thump, insult, name call, hide bags, books and pens, who isolate and gradually wear down self esteem and the will to live, please use the summer holidays to think about how actions and words impact on others.
For all of the bystanders who don't want to get involved, research the “telling schools” theory.
Imagine what it is like to be in my shoes for just one day. Think about going through his bedroom, school books, personal possessions, clothes; finding a stray dirty sock of his at the bottom of the wash basket. Visualise supporting your other children as they say goodbye to their brother.
I have to live with the guilt that my son felt he could not tell me what was worrying him, what was going on in his head. That is my life now, so please do not disregard the sentiments of this letter. I would not want any other family to experience this, so let's get bullying out in the open and communicate with each other. Whether you suspect your child is bullied, or is one of the cruel tormentors, talk before it is too late!
Sally Cope
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