The most important thing is to reach out and
tell someone. Do not let these bullies’ words
I HAD A CHILD TELL ME SHE
AND HER FRIEND WERE
PLANNING HER SUICIDE
BECAUSE SHE COULDN’T
TAKE THE BULLYING, BUT
WATCHING MY SHOW ONE
NIGHT, THERE WAS
SOMETHING I SAID THAT
STOPPED HER.
-RUBY GETTINGER
Ruby Gettinger:
I’ve met so many kids from my Ruby
walks, Ruby events, etc., and I’ve
received emails from them as well. I’ve
spoken with children from all ages. I
had a child tell me she and her friend
were planning her suicide because she
couldn’t take the bullying, but watching
my show one night, there was
something I said that stopped her.
Thank you, Lord.
I’ve spoken with children and teenagers
dealing with obesity, anorexia, bulimia.
I’ve talked to cheerleaders, the popular
kids trying to keep up and hated being
popular, but had no choice. I know a
lot of kids and teenagers have it hard. I
try to emphasize to them that they are
here for a purpose. God created them in
this generation for a reason. There will
always be mean people, but the majority
of people are kind. If someone is
bullying you, please tell your parents or
an adult you can trust. Do not feed into
what they are saying to you. They are
projecting...when someone is being
mean to you, it’s really about them.
There is more going on with them than
you can see. It can be their home life or
just someone is bullying them.
FAITH HEART MAGAZINE l 22
define you. You are beautiful, and you are
God’s masterpiece. Do not fall under the peer
pressure, or you will always be a follower. I
was never an outcast and I was 350 pounds in
high school, but I wasn't going let others
determine how I lived my life. Even though I
was bigger than anyone else, I didn’t feel any
different from anyone else. I was not going
to stay away, in a corner or to myself...I made
sure I joined in.
Ruby Gettinger
Sometimes we already feel different or bad
about ourselves, so we remain in solitude. Do
not let any differences you may have be what
defines you or keeps you from living your life.
To the parents of a child who is suffering from
food issues...please know that food is their
“drug of choice” and food is the first thing kids
can get their hands on when they have some
independence. Children often seek out food
when they have bottled up emotions that are
too difficult to deal with. It is during this time
that food became their “best friend". I wish
that someone who saw my problem with food
had talked to me about it when I reached 350
pounds in high school.