KAILUA-KONA – The small student body of Kuleana Education was captivated Monday morning as a man told his story of survival after he was nearly killed in 2011 by what he called “adult bullies.”
KAILUA-KONA – The small student body of Kuleana Education was captivated Monday morning as a man told his story of survival after he was nearly killed in 2011 by what he called “adult bullies.”
For the past two years, Bryan Stow has shared a message of anti-bullying and kindness following that brutal beating after a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, an attack that grabbed national headlines.
He and his family shared his story and message across California. Monday was the first time they took the presentation outside the Golden State.
Sitting in a chair wearing a San Francisco Giants jersey, an orchid lei and compression socks, with his crutches resting next to him, he told students he spent nine months in a coma after suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
“After waking from the coma, I had to learn how to live again,” Stow said. “I had to learn how to speak again.”
Prior to the beating, Stow was a paramedic. He told the children bullies destroyed his life and hurt his family.
However, the assault created six years of a new existence for Stow.
“I can still work and save lives,” he told the keiki.
Stow told the children he’s on a mission to tell everyone about the dangers of bullying and fan violence.
The California man asked the students two questions.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been bullied.
Most hands went up.
His second question: Raise your hand if you’ve ever bullied someone?
Stow raised his hand along with his sister, Bonnie Bush, who accompanied her brother to the presentation. A few students slowly raised their hands.
Stow said there are ways to stop bullying. He listed the following:
• Be an upstander not a bystander.
• Speak up.
• Reach out and help others.
• Lead by example.
“Think of me next time someone needs help and encouragement,” he said.
Stow’s speech was empowering to the Kuleana students.
Eighth-grader Kiera Howell-Campbell, 14, has witnessed and been a victim to bullying. If someone is bullied, Kiera said, people can get depressed.
“The presentation was good because it shows even if you were bullied, it shows you can move on from it,” she said.
Eighth-grader Dylan Schmarr, 14, said he thought Stow’s speech was motivating.
“What happened to him was a big tragedy,” Dylan said.
Since they’ve been doing these presentations, Bush said, it’s helped her brother increase his memory. He also connects with the children.
“It’s great to see him interact with the kids and see his progress,” Bush said.
During different visits, Stow said, he has had children come to him and tell him they are being bullied. He always encourages them to tell an adult.
Dana Kern, president of Kuleana and former resident of San Francisco, said she remembers when Stow was beaten. It was covered by the media, and the family started a blog to keep people informed about his recovery. In 2014, Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood pleaded guilty to assaulting Stow. Sanchez was given an eight-year jail sentence and Norwood a four-year term.
“Bryan became a part of everyone’s family,” Kern said.
When Kern learned that Stow did presentations, she sent him an email saying she’d love to have him come speak to her students about kindness and anti-bullying.
“It’s a powerful message,” she said. “We focus on character development, so it fits in exactly with what we do.”
Stow said he wants to share his message around the world. While there are no other Big Island stops planned, Stow will take his free presentation next to Maui.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.