LETTERS

Adapt, Overcome, Improvise

Posted 11/6/14

To the Editor:

Being a kid is a tough gig. Being a kid, with a stutter, any disability, it’s the end of the world gig, which brings me to bullies.

First year in high school. Rock or roll. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
LETTERS

Adapt, Overcome, Improvise

Posted

To the Editor:

Being a kid is a tough gig. Being a kid, with a stutter, any disability, it’s the end of the world gig, which brings me to bullies.

First year in high school. Rock or roll. Sink or swim. As the U.S. Marine Corps says: Adapt Overcome Improvise. Halfway through the first year. Wrong place, wrong “whatever.” This is here, and here is here.

First of real and many bullies. Last time for him. Unbeknownst to me, for there, here, then I grew a pair. Later on I heard something about reverse psychology.

Changing of the guards. With wall-to-wall people, I’m not going to make it to G wing. Yes, I was a G winger. A lonely disparate voice, “How do I get to the third floor?” rings out. This one is not going to Harvard. No bell yet. The prey is the last to know.

Navy Seals motto: Ready to lead. Ready to follow. Never quit. Words were said, mostly his, but the few I did get out caught him off guard. While his friends were hooing and ahhing, I was getting the better of him. He knew it and so did his friends. It was over. Three more years left.

Don’t go ALL OUT Florida. But you have to stand your ground! During that space and time, there was no greater feeling than getting the best of a bully on his own turf. Same boy about to meet his even greatest fear – meeting chicks. That’s what we called girls back then. Chicks.

We remain a friendship to this day.

I still stutter.

David Cook

Warwick

Comments

1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here