At first glance, Lulu is an average 16 year-old  girl and in many ways she is. Except according tot her mother, Lulu suffers from a  scalp condition that severely damaged her hair and she must wear protective hairstyles to cover it. Recently, Lulu’s mother received a disturbing phone call from school about a boys taking a $5 bet- $5!- to pull off Lulu’s wig. The humiliating incident was video taped, and if that wasn’t degrading enough, the kids followed Lulu into the bathroom as she screamed and cried.

Yesterday I received a call from my youngest daughter screaming and crying on the phone, for me to come and get her from school. Apparently, some boys had taken a $5 BET about pulling her wig off in front of everyone. Lulu has a scalp condition that causes severe dryness and hair breakage and loss, and had been so ashamed of her appearance that she had taken to wearing wigs in an effort to still feel beautiful. We all know how easy it is to feel insecure at age 16. These kids not only tore her wig off in the middle of school, but video taped it. They followed her to the bathroom as she screamed and cried and proceeded to tape her OVER the stall as she cried and begged for her wig. Later I had to take her to the hospital for abrasions and whiplash. Lulu later decided to shave her hair off and not let these bullies win. She was not wanting to feel controlled by her hair any longer, and take back her control. I am only posting this with her permission but yesterday our entire family was angered and in tears about the way she was treated. The teen suicide rate has now DOUBLED and bullying has played a HUGE Role. If you have a teen in this situation, continue to uplift them and let them know that they are strong and beautiful and can own thier insecurities and take control rather than being controlled. I admire the strength and beauty of my little Lulu and know that she will inspire many others even through this difficult time in her life. #SayNoToShaming2018 Please share if you have a teen who needs to know they are beautiful no matter what! Bullies will not win in 2018

A post shared by Simply ME (@myckelle) on Jan 27, 2018 at 12:54pm PST

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When you let someone have power over you, whether its over a situation or particular action towards you, they keep the power.

In Lulu’s case,  we’re glad to see her reclaiming that power by shaving her head and standing up to her bullies. Now with the help of her mother, Lulu is sharing her story and encouraging others to #StoptheShaming2018. According to her mother, since her story has broke on the news, her bullies have been arrested. Her mother is also seeking help to acquire a civil attorney for Lulu’s defense and is demanding an official apology from her high school and the district for their failure to protect her daughter and not take earlier action on the bullying situation as well as a apology from the bullies themselves and their parents.

Lulu’s mother is encouraging everyone to share her daughter’s story to let other girls like her know they are beautiful no matter way. Lulu’s  story could have gone south so easily. According to the CDC, between 1975 and 2015, suicide rates among teen girls has doubled.  Lulu is a girl who could be our sister, cousin, daughter or close friend. Bullying is never OK. Please, don’t do it. It gets you nowhere.

Lulu you’re beautiful Royal Girl!