Struggling With Bullying Issues?

Are you struggling with bullying issues in your home, school, or community?

Have you tried various anti-bullying workshops and strategies, but still don't seem to be getting anywhere with students or parents?

Why don't you let us help!

*We're Experienced: We are all abuse survivors who have been both the bully and bullied throughout life. We've shared our workshops in various schools, churches, and work places all over Michigan.

*We're Educated & Endorsed: We founded Abuse Bites Corp. from the ground up in 2005 (put together workshops for pre-school, children, teens and even adults), currently we work as the Healing Projects Specialist for the Bully Police USA, and host a blog talk radio show "Bullying Matters" for Dreamcatchers for Abused Children.

*We're Empathetic: We understand all sides of bullying and teach others empathy, something's that lacking these days in homes, schools, and communities.

*We're Enthusiastic & Empowering: We're passionate about this anti-bullying message and empower and motivate others to Be The CHANGE they want to see in others. Our mission is to CHANGE HEARTS & SAVE LIVES in memory of our son, Brian, who passed away last year. He was bullied all his life. He lived and died forgiving his bullies.

*We're Effective: We offer healing workshops for all those who are affected by bullying and abuse: (victims, bystanders, the ones with bully behaviors as well as their families, and even staff). Many wounded hurting people are walking around. They are like time bombs waiting to go off. If their feelings and emotions aren't properly dealt with we might witness the next Columbine or worse. Hurt people, hurt people. Healed people, heal people.

*We're NOT Expensive: We're a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is passionate about the cause, not a paycheck! We know schools are struggling. We know everyone is struggling. That is why we are willing to work within the means of any reasonable budget. We are currently trying to raise funds for gas so we can offer low-income schools and communities FREE WORKSHOPS.

Too many times, people are simply putting a band aid on bullying. They offer help for the victim or target while putting the bully (those demonstrating bullying behaviors) in anger management classes. Bullying is not about anger; it's about power and control. And it's time the schools, we as parents, and entire communities realize this and take back the control from those with bullying behaviors, so we can have more time to focus on what's really important--education and empowering our young people and families to strive toward a better, safer future.

We'd love to send you more information, outlines of our workshops, or we'd even be willing to come to a meeting and share our program with your teachers and principals if you'd like. So please let us know how we can help you and your staff bring healing to your community! Thank you for your time. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Lisa Freeman, CEO Abuse Bites

Healing Projects Specialist, Bully Police USA

Email Us @ abusebites@gmail.com

Visite Us @ http://www.abusebites.com

ACCEPT or EXCEPT Gays & Lesbians & Those who are Different

ACCEPTANCE

Some people are confused today about what bullying is. BULLYING can be as simple as not accepting someone, or excluding them from your little group, or making a verbal comment about their choice of lifestyle, moral or religious beliefs.

I will tell you I am a Christian, but I love and accept all people of various religions, race, creed, and sexual orientation. I may not agree with all their views, but I respect and love them. The only people we can change is us.

The Bible tells us in Mathew 7:5 that we are hypocrites when we are looking at the speck in someone else’s eye, without first removing the PLANK in our own.

My daughter has chosen to live in a lesbian relationship. Do I agree with her decision, not fully, but I do accept her decision and love her no matter what.

That’s how God is, he loves us so much that he gave each of us a free will and choice.

So as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, by loving and accepting all people, of all walks of life, and be the CHANGE that others need to see.

I’m an educator in the public schools as well. Acceptance and Differences are a couple of my favorite topics of discussion. With smaller children we use four very different looking puppets to display how different they are, but also to point out that underneath, just like us they are exactly the same—they’re puppets. For older children we play a dollar game. Each of seven kids are given various bills and coins that total a dollar. They all look very different, but they all equal the same, and have the same value just like us!

We are all different, yet very much the same.

We all want to feel accepted, valued and loved for who we are, not for how we look or the choices we make.

Matt’s Safe School Law just passed in Michigan. They finally accepted the law Kevin Epling and his wife Tammy have been working on for years in regard to their son Matt who committed suicide in relation to bullying. However, when the bill past, our legislature put a twist on that bill, that states anyone can still bully for moral or religious views. This is something that we as educators SHOULD NOT accept!

I hope you will stand with us and be the change that others need to see. Not only do we present workshops in schools, work places, and communities, but our goal is to leave each community better than when we came, and equipped with the tools they need to be the change. Safer Schools. Safer Families. Safer Communities.

Contact us today! I would love to speak with you about bringing our program to your community!

Lisa Freeman, CEO Abuse Bites

Healing Projects Specialist, Bully Police USA

Award Winning Author & Speaker

Certified Pet Therapist & Dog Trainer

Http://www.abusebites.com  Email: abusebites@gmail.com

Proposed bullying law could actually protect bullies - WNEM TV 5

Proposed bullying law could actually protect bullies - WNEM TV 5

By Liz Gelardi, TV5 Reporter - bio | email

SAGINAW, MI (WNEM/AP) -

Proposed anti-bullying legislation could be a license to bully.

The Michigan Senate version of the bill might justify bullying based on religious or moral beliefs.

"I believe that nobody should be allowed to bully," said Lisa Freeman.

Lisa Freeman runs an anti-bullying workshop with her son Jeremiah.

"It goes against everything we're pretty much trying to teach."

The bill is called Matt's Safe School Law. It is named for Matt Epling, a teen who committed suicide after he was bullied. The law would require schools to draft anti-bullying policies, but supporters are now worried it could protect bullies.

A spokesman for the Republican House Speaker said Monday the clause doesn't have support, and it will be removed in a House version of the legislation.

Copyright 2011 WNEM. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report



Contact Lisa Freeman @ 989-729-2124 via email @ abusebites@gmail.com or online via website @ http://www.abusebites.com

Help Kids Stop Bullying

160,000 kids miss school every day for fear of bullying

1 teen dies every 1/2 hour in the USA from bullying/bullycide

That's why AbuseBites.com CEO Lisa Freeman offers educational workshops to raise awareness, and teach safety, prevention, and healing methods to stop bullying, abuse and violence. Her entire family was bullied in some form, one son nearly bullied to death.

By offering their real life stories of survival along with statistics, and some fun, interactive games, kids, teens, and even adults learn at their level how to defeat the bully without violence, work together as a community, and have a great time doing it!

We don't just put a band-aid on bullying we give kids, parents, educators and everyone everything they need to bring about safer schools, safer kids, and safer families!

Contact Lisa Freeman today @ 989-729-2124 or email @ abusebites@gmail.com

Anti-Bullying Workshops that Save Lives

Lately we've been swamped with emails, phone calls, and letters from parents, schools, and churches to do anti-bullying workshops.

The need to stop bullying and get help is huge.

Last week we did three workshops. We did a back to back entire youth presentation for 7th-12th and then K-6th for the younger students. Wow! Great time! But it hit a nerve in my heart when I heard that even a 2nd grader who had been terribly bullied said, "I want to kill myself."

I had been contemplating if the younger kids should really hear our "bullycide" story about my son, Jeremiah. But I felt led to share it, and now I'm so glad I did.

We never know who might be feeling ready to end their life because they just can't take it anymore. Our workshops can literally save lives.

Another thing that I heard was that people were thankful that we addressed how we "help and love the bully" knowing it's not a person, bullying is an action, and anyone can change, but first we must BE THE CHANGE they can see.

Little kids even came up and said it was a great time. So thankful that we can have fun, play games, and interact with the kids and teens--that's so important.

We don't just tell them a bunch of stuff, we have lived abuse and we have healed from it.

We don't simply put a band-aid on bully, we help others heal in a fun, safe way.

So if you're in need of an antibullying presentation for your school, church, or community--give us a call!

Together we can change hearts and save lives!

989-729-2124

Almost Bullied to Death

Lisa Freeman tells story about her teenage son that was almost bullied to death in high school. After getting him the appropriate help now he's healed and writes and sings songs to help others. MTV is even considering a film about Jeremiah entitled "Bullied" and using one of his songs.

Say No To Peer Pressure

DOGS BEHAVING BADLY

Last week we did the Perryfest Parade in Perry, Michigan. Since we were already shorthanded I thought it best to leave our little stinker "Baby Ruth" at home and just bring "Snickers" our Certified Pet Therapy Dog.

BUT Daddy (my hubby) said she could go. So I turned to Baby Ruth (our min pin, rat terrier, chihuahua mix) who was waiting impatiently by the door and said, "Guess what? Daddy said you can go?!" She started dancing in a circle all excitedly. Everyone laughed it was so cute.

So I grabbed both the dogs leashes. Then realized I didn't pack any waters or even a water dish for the dogs! OOOPS! After grabbing the waters last minute, we were out the door right at 10:30 a.m. like we had planned.

As we drove down our street I had a bright idea.

"We should let the dogs have a quick run before the half hour drive to get their energy out," I announced to my husband.

He pulled the van over at the soccer ball fields, and I let them both out, unleashed, not even thinking. Another OOPS!

We were laughing at first to see Baby Ruth running crazily around the whole open field along the creek, but then she stopped and started eating something.

I commanded her to "Leave It!" and every other dog command I could think of, which only encouraged her to eat faster. That was an even bigger OOPS!

I commanded her to come. Instead of coming to me, she stopped eating, dropped, and rolled in whatever it was, smearing her face entirely in it, and then since Snickers had ran back to the van, she did too. That's when we realized she was covered in poop and had a BIG CLUMP stuck to the side of her face! URG!

So back home we sped.

My son Jeremiah took her around back to put her on the chain, while I fled in the house to wash the leashes (she had even gotten poo on Snickers leash too!) The door was locked and none of the 5 million keys on the ring would work! REALLY?

Finally, I got the door opened, washed the leashes, and cleaned the sinks and counters, but I had no time to bathe Baby Ruth or we'd really be late. So I had no choice but to leave her on the chain until we got home.

Thankfully, despite the slew of mishaps that morning, the parade turned out fabulous! The parade director even told my husband, John, to drive slow through town because they were going to give us an extra long shout out about our Abuse Bites program and pay tribute to our son, Brian, who passed away last year.

I've been in a lot of parades, but their announcement, that morning, was so wonderful, it made me cry.

Later, I returned home and bathed the little stinker, which by this time, the poo was all hardened and stuck in her fur. Two shampoos later and she came out smelling like a dog I could cuddle and hold again.

But I'm learning that some dogs (like Baby Ruth) if given an inch, will take a mile, so they need more discipline and structure and probably shouldn't be unleashed for their own protection. I've also learned from experience that when she does eat something nasty, she always ends up sick.

We're actually a lot like dogs. We often go back to the same old garbage too, in our friendships, relationships, and other things that pull us down, which can make us physically and emotionally ill. So let's take care of those that we love, work on changing the bad behaviors, and staying away from the garbage in life.

I've had to work much harder with, Baby Ruth, than perhaps with Snickers, but I love her so much. Instead of hurting her when she's bad, I tell her NO, and focus on the times she's good and praise her for that!

Love and praise are the most powerful and effective tools for training dogs, but especially for dogs behaving badly.

Having Fun While Training Your Dog

Due to cold weather and rain a week ago Thursday I ended up teaching two Pet Therapy classes this week. Thankfully the weather cooperated both Monday and Thursday of this week and although everyone couldn't make it to the first class, they were all here on Thursday.

We had such a great mix of people and dogs, from young to old, teeny, tiny and fearful to Gigantic and fearless! What a variety of pooches: a Golden Doodle, Black Lab/Shepherd, Yellow Lab/Shepherd, Chihuahua, Scottish Terrier, Golden Retriever, and a Haveneze (spelling?)!

Man were the dogs hyper!

With Snickers, Baby, and Jax (our most recently trained Certified Pet Therapy Dog and his owner Stacey Wendling), we had a total of 10 dogs here! Thankfully we had lots of volunteers!

At first I was thinking I should have broken them up into two groups, but they (dogs & handlers) did awesome! The dogs settled down and took their turns for each section of the training--almost like they were at the testing. Wow! I was so pleased with all their progress!

Molly and Marna added a few laughs as usual. When we did the sit, stay, then come when called, Molly always went to someone else or another dog instead of Marna. Gotta love em! That just cracks me up :) But then we realized it's because Molly takes her eyes off Marna and loses focus immediately. I pointed out that one of our other ladies, Samantha was clapping to keep her dog, Dolly's attention. That seemed to work great. So I learn something new from my students too and love it!

Some of the dogs wouldn't sit and stay long or at all. But in our group, that's okay, we don't force. We work at the dog/handlers pace and give them tips and encouragement of how to work on those problem areas.

I believe each dog/handler is special and unique. No two dogs are alike, just the same as no two people are alike. And that's awesome, because some people like big dogs, where others like small dogs. But any dog, when trained properly can be a more obedient dog.

Funny I should say that. A little boy who came to the group was holding Snickers leash a ways away from where I was teaching and he started barking loud and annoying at a kid passing by on a bike. I commanded, "Snickers, No Bark!" Everyone laughed because he hung his head like he'd gotten busted when he thought I was too busy to be paying attention. But he'll even be outside on the chain and bark to come in and I'll command, "NO BARK!" to let him know I hear him and he will stop. Then when he stops barking I say, "Good No Bark," to praise him.

That's the thing with dogs, they are just like kids, so if you really want them to mind, you have to keep right on them, praise them when they are good, but don't give them an inch when they're not!

Our Dogs that Heel & Heal Classes are offered privately as well as in group sessions. Please see our website for more details AbuseBites.com

Happy Training!

 

Stopping Bullying & Abuse In Saginaw Michigan

Doors are opening to STOP BULLYING in Saginaw, Michigan.

For five years I've tried to do work in my own community here in Owosso. And I've done some awesome things. And I do hope to do some more awesome things in the future.

But lately I've been noticing how God is leading us to Saginaw. Earlier in the week I was invited to attend an awesome Conference in Saginaw today by a sweet lady, May Watson, who works with Drug Education, Prevention & Youth Services with the United Way. They go into the public schools to raise awareness, prevention, and education to help kids make better choices. She said they've been praying about an anti-bullying program!

I just met May Saturday at the Saginaw Worship in the Park celebration on Ojibuway Island. Talk about divine appointments! Her and her husband are like angels, fluttering around to connect organizations together so we can work together, change hearts, save lives, and Stop Abuse! Awesome!

Not only did I have a blast meeting, talking with, and having a booth in the park next to May, but today she introduced me to some wonderful people at the Conference.

Already the YMCA has contacted us and has asked us to come and share our message/program with their staff. How awesome!

If you'd like us to share the scoop on bullying, prevention, safety, education, awareness, or a healing workshop, please let us know! We'd be so happy to serve your school, church, work place, or community.

Our workshops are FREE, we just ask that our gas be compensated.

AbuseBites.com

7 Ways To Stop Abuse & Bullying!

We get letters, phone calls, emails, face book messages from desperate children, teens, parents, and workers every day! People are being bullied and they want it to stop! Believe me, we want it to stop too!

My son, Brian, had Asperger's Syndrome and a rare heart disease and was bullied all through life. But more than anything he wanted to go all the USA to educate others, raise awareness, share his story & and offering healing to all, even though he'd been on the heart transplant list for 5 years.

Brian knew what it was like to hurt, but he also knew what it was like to heal. He loved everyone (even the bullies!) and had a passion to give that gift of love and forgiveness to others.

Sadly, last year as we were planning our trip around the USA, he passed away from a blood clot.  He always said, "Mom, you can't go without me!"

On Brian's 23rd birthday we launched 23 balloons with the message "How Far Will You Go To Stop Abuse?" in his memory, to see how far they'd go. Some of them were reported being found 90 miles away! That was cool! But that wasn't enough...

This summer we raised our own funding and went on a Walk n Talk Across Michigan, over 1,000 miles (of driving--then we walked around each major city--15 total) talking to people, offering FREE HEALING WORKSHOPS in schools, churches, work places and communities. But that still wasn't enough...

We know we are called to complete the mission in Brian's memory, to go all over the USA and even the WORLD to STOP ABUSE and with your help we can do just that! IF we can get this healing message to the entire world, then that will be enough!

How                       Far                     Will                   You                      Go  

To    Stop  Abuse? 

The great news is, you can stay right where you are and still stop abuse.

There are 7 ways to Stop Abuse & Bullying right from where you are:

1#  By not standing by when others are abused--do something, say something, go get help! REPORT ALL BULLYING!

 2# By not allowing others to physically, verbally, emotionally or spiritually abuse you! Stand up for yourself!

 3# By treating others the way you yourself would like to be treated! Do unto others

4# By telling all your friends, family, coworkers, church family, schools, community about our program Abuse Bites

5# By volunteering in our program, right from your desktop, computer, office, home, etc

6# By praying for us diligently as we take on this huge mission God has called us to (for funding, open doors in schools/communities, health, safety, and God's divine will and direction)

7# By donating or sponsoring us so we can have the funding (for gas and food) to travel abroad to share these healing workshops FREE to all :)   See ChangeForBrian.com

Donate Online @ Abuse Bites.com

Sponsorship Opportunities Online @ Sponsor US


Via Mail: Abuse Bites, Change for Brian, PO Box 1582, Owosso, MI  48867 (Make Checks Payable to Abuse Bites)

*All donations/sponsorships are 100% tax deductible and will be used to Stop Abuse & Bullying!

Thank you and may God bless you richly for your generous prayers, help, and gifts! 

Mission Accomplished or Is It?

Sunday ended our last weekend for our Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse & Bullying. On one end I was glad, on the other end sad. I was glad because we have a lot of speaking engagements coming up and our 2nd Annual Benefit for CHANGE on October 16, 2011. I was sad because we met a lot of people who needed help to get free from abuse and some who wanted to help us and others.

We don't always realize it, but the ABUSE realm is HUGE! I'm sure all of us can either say we've been bullied or abused or know someone who has been. Abuse is like a cancer in the world, spreading rapidly.

This is why I know my/our mission will continue.

It's been confirmed through other people as well. When I went to the barber to get the heart in the back of my head redone (shaved into the shape of the heart) I told him that I wouldn't be back because this was the end of our mission. He said, "You're mission is just beginning."

Then a lady I hadn't heard from in years and had no idea what I was doing, emailed me. She had a vision about me/us. She saw a map, a route all in yellow. God had orchestrated the map, and I was the one holding and looking at it. He had given us clear direction of where we (our family) needed to go and what we needed to do.

It encouraged me that God was confirming our mission in other people's lives as well. I'm excited about the road before us, and pray that we can have a huge impact on those hurting, abused, broken and desperate for healing.

Recently I had the opportunity to witness to a young lady addicted to drugs/alcohol and heading down a destructive path, due to the abuse she suffered as a child by her father. She is now CLEAN and serving the Lord. A few days ago I had a dream/vision and wasn't sure what it meant. Yesterday this girl texted me about something she was planning to do, but knew she shouldn't. Right then I knew the dream/vision was for her and I shared it with her. Thankfully, what Satan meant for harm, God turned around for good, as through that vision she was able to thwart the plans of the enemy and follow the Lord!

When my son, Brian, passed away a year ago, I vowed to go all over the world like he wanted to help others who are bullied and abused. We still don't have the funds we need to make a journey of that nature. But we did go all over Michigan this summer and God was faithful to provide everything we needed for this journey. So I know that nothing is impossible with God! If He calls you to it, He will bring you through it!

So my mission continues. And that's fine with me as long as I'm in God's will. I know his will is always the same to CHANGE HEARTS and SAVE LIVES. And that's what we intend to do, whether we're at home in Michigan or on the other side of the world.

There are many ways you can help/partner with us to make this dream/vision come to pass and forward us on this mission God has called us to: through prayer, fasting, volunteering, monthly support/or sponsorship, fundraising, donations or by simply purchasing our brand new CHANGE of HEART for BRIAN bracelets available on our website for only $1 each! http://www.ChangeForBrian.com. (The best part--every penny given stops abuse and is 100% tax deductible!)

Thanks so much for your help! Together we can Stop Abuse! Please share this link & info with all your friends and family! Wouldn't that be awesome if the sales from these tiny little bracelets funded our entire mission?! I would be ecstatic! God often uses the "little things" to bring about the biggest blessings! I know he has in my life.

You can also order these bracelets by mail. They come in a variety of bright colors: light pink, hot pink, lavender, blue, green, and tri-colors. Mail Check or Money Order to: Abuse Bites, Change Bracelets, PO Box 1582, Owosso, MI  48867  (Please include $2.50 for shipping and handling 1-20 bracelets, $5 for shipping for 21-50, $10 for 51-75, $15 for 76-100)

Trouble Walking n Talking?

Lately it’s been difficult to walk. I woke up a week ago with a very sore left hip. It just so happened to be the first day of our 1^st Annual Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse. We met at the Capitol in Lansing, where I hobbled around painfully to do what I had went there to do—RAISE AWARENESS to STOP ABUSE and BULLYING of People & Pets. Thankfully, even despite the droplets of rain, the event went well, victims were honored, news crews were on site, we were able to minister to a woman and her two small children, and it was an awesome time of taking back what I feel has been stolen from our country, our freedom as Christians to STAND & SPEAK OUT for the HEALING that only God can bring!

Standing and speaking is about all I’ve been able to do in the past week. I’ve hobbled and limped far more than I’ve walked, believe me. But as I’ve dealt with this thorn in my flesh and hinderence to this mission God has called me to, I realize that sometimes our walking is way out of balance. I used to work out for an hour every morning and then walk for 3-5 miles, usually 1-2 hours per day. The rest of my day I spent very BUSY on the computer, phone, training volunteers, teaching, and doing the zillion other things a person who heads up two non-profits has to do. Not an easy task. But as a leader, I too set the pace for everything that gets accomplished. If I’m moving too slow, not much gets done. If I’m moving too fast, then we might get some things done, but because we’re hurrying and stressed, we make more mistakes. So we need to be moving ahead at just the right pace.

I believe that is the lesson God wanted me to learn this past week “pacing myself”. Last weekend when we went to the parks in Jackson and Kalamazoo I could barely walk, in fact, I sat most of the time and just ministered to women and children as they came to me. But I was obedient to “go” and that is the important part; that we go when God tells us, he’s not concerned about how fast we’re moving, just that we are. This is proof that God will use us just as we are, as limited as that may be, as long as we’re walking with Him.

Quite honestly in the past, I’ve probably gotten ahead of Him sometimes. I’ve probably even ran ahead, in the wrong direction. Maybe that’s why he felt the need to slow me down.

I’ve only taken two short walks this week. The first walk was a couple days ago, just a half mile, and took nearly 30 minutes. The other was this morning, I walked an entire mile at a VERY SLOW PACE, (my dogs even kept looking at me funny, like who put something in your cereal?), and it took me an hour. But as I’ve slowed down, I’ve learned that before I was probably rushing through every walk, every work out, every bike ride, every phone conversation, every prayer, every scripture, every intimate moment, every divine appointment, etc, so I could get to the next thing. In essence what I was doing is becoming a Martha, Martha, Martha – just simply doing a work God had called me to “walking and talking” instead of being more like Mary, who is in total synch with Jesus and follows his every step.

Noah and Enoch walked with God. Noah walked so closely with God that he was obedient, even though he was persecuted and made fun of every day, and God rewarded him greatly. When everyone else in the world was destroyed, him and his family were spared! Hallelujah! And Enoch, he walked so closely with God that one day God just took him up to heaven—he never saw death—he was transformed right there. Wow!

So I’ve decided on this walk, I want to be like Noah and Enoch. Just like them, I want God to transform me (my heart and mind to have a unique FAITH like theirs) so that I’m walking and talking at just the right pace, so that HE can transform others as we Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse & bring healing to all!

For more information about our 1^st Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse of People & Pets, please log onto www.abusebites.com

Day One: Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Bullying n Abuse

Our Kick off at the Capitol went well, despite everything coming against us. There was unpredicted rain throughout the morning, but thankfully it was light and not a total wash out. My hubby, John, even pointed out a beautiful rainbow that morning before we left. Thanks honey :)

I had two phone interviews before we even left the house. We ended up getting a late start and even getting turned around due to construction. And since it was after 9 a.m. when I finished my interview with TV 6 News, I thought everything was set up and we could get started. My son, Jeremiah, opened the event with a song called "Hold My Heart" by Tenth Avenue North. He did an amazing job, I was so proud!

Then we had an opening prayer, followed by a moment of silence for the victims, then we were supposed to play "Tears in Heaven" but little did I know, John was still setting everything up. Our Emcee, Ron Hoshal, did a good job though and saved John from a most embarrassing situation as he went on to the next thing on the schedule. He also shared about how he and I raised over $10,000 for abused/needy pets for the local Humane Society.

One of our speakers, Kevin Epling, Co-Chair of Bully Police USA, later pointed out that even though our song couldn't play, with the rain coming down, we had literal "tears from heaven". He spoke on how we all needed to work together to bring about the change our kids need in the schools to protect them, through educating, raising awareness, and giving them the tools and prevention methods they need. I couldn't agree more!

I spoke on Change as well. About how we need to love and accept others, forgive our bullies, help our bullies, pray for our bullies, and that will bring about the healing and change that is needed.

There were a few quirks, like no video coverage, because no one set the camcorder up, and being physically attacked with my hip and leg giving me so much pain I could barely walk, let alone hobble that morning, but the message was powerful!

Still, I was a little disappointed by the turn out, as only a handful of people and a couple of news guys were there. It hurt me to think that we made all those calls to politicians, sent out hundreds of press releases, and yet, only a few people came that morning to listen and show their support, and we only sold three t-shirts.

But as we were getting ready for this event, John was pressing out the event t-shirts and trying to find the center of the logo for the back, and it came to my attention that the word "GO" was right in the center.

It was a message saying "GO". It doesn't matter who shows up, how many t-shirts we sell, how we feel, or who supports us. We're to be faithful to go, and let God do the rest.

And because we were faithful to go that morning, despite all the negative comments and lack of support, and low t-shirt sales, after the event, we had the chance to minister and pray with a young woman who came to us in tears who has been terribly abused. While we were praying with her, her two little girls were loving on Snickers. How awesome is that!

If we even touch one person, this Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse is well worth it.

Please show your support for this mission by lifting us up in prayer, considering a donation, and even getting an event t-shirt for you/your family, as all the money will go (for gas, food, lodging) to help us take this healing message to those who are abused and need it. We will be walking and talking through 15 major cities in Michigan over the next several weeks on the weekends offering one day healing events.

For more information on cities, dates, donation, sponsorship, etc, please log onto http://www.abusebites.com

Or write to: Abuse Bites, Walk n Talk, PO Box 1582, Owosso, MI  48867

Thank you for your continued support!

http://www.abusebites.com

BALLOON LAUNCH TO STOP BULLYING ABUSE VIOLENCE

BALLOON LAUNCH TO STOP BULLYING

Lisa Freeman, of Owosso, and CEO of Abuse Bites will be launching 23 Balloons with a dual message. One message that she wishes to get out to the public is that we can Stop Bullying. She has attached cards in envelopes to each balloon regarding the Walk n Talk she will be doing all across Michigan to bring healing to entire communities for victims, bystanders, bullies. The second message is to honor her son Brian (as well as all victims of bullying/bullycide). Why 23 balloons? Because Brian would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on Monday. He was bullied all of his life due to having Asperger's Syndrome and a rare heart condition. Yet, he lived and died forgiving his bullies.

"Each balloon has a message and a card attached," Lisa Freeman says. "Brian wanted to go all over to Stop Bullying, Abuse and Violence, so we're sending these balloons and cards out in his honor, hoping that anyone who finds them will let us know how far they went."

Handwritten questions are attached to each one: How far will you go to Stop Abuse? Change of Heart for Brian, to change hearts and save lives.

The launch will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Owosso, Michigan at Brian's grave (which is located on the very last road on the SOUTH SIDE of the cemetery) on Sunday, June 26th at 4 p.m. Everyone is invited!

For more information please click here.

A Dream Come True by Lisa Freeman of AbuseBites.com

A Dream Come True!

Wow! It’s finally happening--finally coming true! The moment we’d all dreamed of—going out on the road to Stop Abuse/Bullying & bring healing. But something’s missing. Something enormously important. It saddens me to even think about it.

Brian. This was his dream. His goal. All he ever talked about. Even though he was critical and on the heart transplant list for five years, he always said, “Mom, you can’t go without me.”

This is the same kid that was born with Asperger’s Syndrome, who was way different from all the other kids. Not a bad different, a unique different. He stood out in the crowd. Peculiar maybe, strange, yeah, but beyond all that outward stuff, was amazing stuff going on inside the big brain and oversized heart of his. What he didn’t have in health, he far surpassed in knowledge and love.

Because every day even though he was bullied his entire life, he chose to forgive his bullies, love them, and move on to help others.

In the weeks before he died he walked in one of the longest and hottest parades and handed out candy to kids to raise awareness on abuse and bullying. This is one of my most cherished memories, because typically Brian got so winded he had to sit in the van, but as usual, he gave it his all and pressed on.

When he passed away, my heart broke. I didn’t know how I’d ever go on. But then we found a change jar that he’d been saving. As I held that jar in my hand, I knew we were to collect CHANGE so we could be the CHANGE for Brian and others like him.

It is evident that Brian will go with us, not in the way we planned, but in the way God planned! Please support our Walk n Talk Across Michigan so we can literally CHANGE HEARTS and SAVE LIVES in our son’s memory!

To donate or sponsor Abuse Bites and this mission, or to obtain more information log onto www.abusebites.com and click on the “Walk n Talk to Stop Abuse” link at the right.

Help for Bullying in Michigan Walk n Talk to Stop Abuse of People & Pets

Have you been bullied or abused?

Maybe you're the bully or abuser?

Maybe you're just the innocent bystander, caught in the middle?

GOOD NEWS--There's help for everyone!!! Whether you're the victim, bystander, bully, or even a family member of someone who's struggling with these issues, you can conquer these bullying behaviors and be set free!

AbuseBites.com and our team of professionals want to help you. We were once victims too. But now we're survivors! We've been through all forms of abuse, (even our dogs) and we've come out on the other side.

So we're sharing our workshops, stories of survival, and offering healing completely FREE to all, in a family friendly environment, as we travel to various cities all over Michigan.

Aside from abuse awareness, education, safety and prevention methods, we offer an assortment of fun for the whole family with a few interactive games and an amazing trick presentation by our therapy dogs that's sure to captivate any crowd!

For more information on cities, dates, times, volunteering, or hosting an event, please log onto AbuseBites.com and click on our "Walk n Talk" link at the far right of the page.

Walk n Talk Across Michigan to STOP ABUSE

WALK n TALK ACROSS MICHIGAN TO STOP ABUSE, BULLYING & VIOLENCE

Lisa Freeman, the Healing Projects Specialist for the Bully Police USA, is planning one day healing events, in cities throughout Michigan. The Owosso resident and lifelong abuse survivor understands all sides of the bully spectrum.

“I was both a bully and victim of abuse, my children were bullied, and even my animals,” she said. “But we found something many victims, bullies, and their families often struggle with—healing. And that’s what we want to offer.”

Freeman founded the non-profit organization “Abuse Bites” in 2006 to stop bullying through awareness and education. After her son, Brian’s untimely death, in August 2010, Freeman took some time off just to pray about what she should do next.

“That’s when I had a vision about this walk n talk across Michigan to set families free from abuse and bullying.”

The Abuse Bites 1^st Walk n Talk Across Michigan to Stop Abuse will begin on July 15^th at the state’s Capitol. After a moment of silence for victims of bullying/bullycide, the group will walk through the city, and then offer a healing workshop at a local church, school, or park, which is open to the public. 

“We are hoping to do these events during July and August on the weekends,” she says. “But we’re in desperate need of host organizations.”

A host organization would partner with Abuse Bites to help them with a building or place to hold the healing event. Cities include: Lansing, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Ludington, Mt. Pleasant, Cadillac, and Traverse City. 

“We are a small group,” Freeman says, “But we want to a do a big thing in Michigan. And I believe with the right man power and funding, we can do just that.”

Freeman and her group will offer FREE Healing Workshops as they travel; only taking up a free will offering. Thus, they will need money for gas, food and lodging. “We have an awesome sponsorship package,” she says. “But any size donation will be greatly appreciated.” The group will be at Walmart of Owosso on May 29^th and June 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th accepting donations.

For more information on dates of events, being a host church/organization/group, becoming a volunteer, or sponsor, log onto www.abusebites.com, email @ abusebites@gmail.com, snail mail: PO Box 1582, Owosso, MI  48867, or call 989-729-2124. Please make checks payable to Abuse Bites. All donations are tax deductible and stop abuse of people/pets.