Matt Epling.Com
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."
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186 Comments
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Hannah Bird
08:31 PM on May 02, 2013
Hi, I am from Saline Middle School. I wanted to thank you for coming in. We have not had an assembly like this before, it truly inspired us all more than I could have ever imagined. We had people make multiple Twitter accounts where people say nice things about each other, uplifting Instagram pages, and my friends and I even started an Anti-Bully club. We are in the process of making shirts. You have really made a difference in our school and i appreciate it more than the world. When walking in our school now, you feel so much more confident. People are going out of their way, continuously, to help other students. I, along with the rest of my school, cannot put into words of how grateful we are for you. You really are making a difference, thank you so much!
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Christi O'Connor
04:10 AM on April 09, 2013
Dear Kevin and Tammy,
What a beautiful and thoughtful young man you raised in Matt. It's clear in his poetry, drawings and paintings and are how much he loved his family. Rare to read about Grandpa in one poem and Grandma in another. "I am a good boy" made me cry, considering what happened to Matt. Thank you for doing what you're doing to honor your son. We look forward to telling his story and helping in any way with The Monster March. But, here, I just want to compliment you and share sincere complimentary thoughts on the man Matt was becoming and what you're doing. Christi O'Connor
What a beautiful and thoughtful young man you raised in Matt. It's clear in his poetry, drawings and paintings and are how much he loved his family. Rare to read about Grandpa in one poem and Grandma in another. "I am a good boy" made me cry, considering what happened to Matt. Thank you for doing what you're doing to honor your son. We look forward to telling his story and helping in any way with The Monster March. But, here, I just want to compliment you and share sincere complimentary thoughts on the man Matt was becoming and what you're doing. Christi O'Connor
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Jenny
02:21 PM on February 07, 2013
I am also new to this page. I have no clue where to began. My daughter was bullied and still is being bullied. Nothing was done by law enforcement. They told me it was to be dealt with by the school. That was a joke. My daughter attempted to take her own life after being told by her school principal nothing was going to be done and not to come to him about it any more. After her attempt the school then started an investigation that ended with everything thrown under the rug and no one was held responsible at all. Our lives have been a mess. My daughter changed schools and then had to go back to that school because we could not afford to transport her so far from home. Still, this is happening to her. It has never stopped. Last night, we attended a meeting that was suppose to help put a stop to this bullying. It was a complete attempt of the others to put this back on my daughter. Retaliation! I will add that in our whole experience the law has not been on our side. I must say that I was told by the school that Matts Safe Law is a law that says the school must have a policy, but that our policy is not a Law. That makes no sense to me. Our schools policy allows for way too many loop holes. Though I believe that school officials corrupted this investigation, I also know that there needs to be a better policy and a more specific law. Matts Law is a good thing, but I believe that it needs to be upheld and that schools need to held responsible to make sure Matts Law is effective. I am thankful I still have my child. I am lucky! That doesn't mean that I am not in fear every single day. I cry every single day because I know the statistics and I know what she is going through. I am doing all I can. Attorneys are willing to take the case but I am broke. A single mom, no support and I am disabled. I feel helpless. I started a group of staff and parents to work with the school to make changes to the way these things are handled. I have to say that there are some that are really on board for change but the fact is that its not the ones that failed my daughter who are wanting change. I don't know what they want. I know it is for me to disappear so they can continue to sweep these things under the rug. I hope that Michigan will pass Cyber bullying Laws that will protect our kids. I believe in our freedom of speech, but also agree that if not controlled it can violate children's rights to live in peace. Children are committing suicide and families are being devastated. We need Matts Law to be enforced. We need attorneys and lawmakers to look into these caseswhen schools refuse to follow Matts Safe Law. Thanks for reading!
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Laurie L
06:20 PM on January 18, 2013
I am new to your page. I found it from doing some searches that was given to me by Pacer Center. My son is in the 9th grade at a school in Michigan. He has been bulled since the 6th grade and it now continues in the 9th grade. Just this week there were two different issues. I have found a letter from Pacer Center that I am sending to the school and the superintendent to see what can be done. I am so over this issue that this school will not take any action. They just keep saying ignore the issue and let's wait and see if something happens again. Well...............how many times do we have to ignore this problem? I am hoping for any help from anyone and also hoping the school will do something.
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Cheyenne
05:21 PM on November 13, 2012
Dear Epling family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Matt seems like he was a really great guy who had a very bright future. It's extremely unfortunate when someone commits bullycide. I think it's great that you are sharing his story and trying to raise awareness for him. Being bullied is hard, I've been there. In fact I almost committed bullycide myself. But I didn't, and now I'm working on becoming a psychologist so I can do my best with helping teens like Matt, and maybe save a few lives. Believe me, he is and will continue to be an inspiration to many people. Keep doing what you're doing, it's a great thing.
~Cheyenne
I'm so sorry for your loss. Matt seems like he was a really great guy who had a very bright future. It's extremely unfortunate when someone commits bullycide. I think it's great that you are sharing his story and trying to raise awareness for him. Being bullied is hard, I've been there. In fact I almost committed bullycide myself. But I didn't, and now I'm working on becoming a psychologist so I can do my best with helping teens like Matt, and maybe save a few lives. Believe me, he is and will continue to be an inspiration to many people. Keep doing what you're doing, it's a great thing.
~Cheyenne
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Michelle
06:48 PM on October 24, 2012
I was at Groves last night and I cried during the play, I have four kids and the thought of one of them dying before me is very painful. To know that you have lived my worst nightmare makes me sad beyond belief. I am so sorry for your loss. 10 years or 10 days, the loss of a child is not a club any of us want to be a member of. Thank you.
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Dipan
10:44 PM on October 17, 2012
I am sorry to hear that Matt committed suicide because of some people that beat him up. It makes me want to teach bullies a lesson that physically and/or verbally bully other students. I have been reading about on the net and seeing many true stories on YouTube of school bullying.
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Pat K
02:13 PM on October 09, 2012
I just wanted to say that no child should ever feel that they are any less important than anyone else. I believe that each and every person is put on this earth for a very special reason. Do NOT let a bully get you down.
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Kathy Mrtozek
08:42 AM on September 29, 2012
You are honoring you sons memory in such a beautiful way. I am so so sorry you lost your son, but his memory will live on forever, not only in your heart, but the hearts of others. God Bless you for all the wonderful work you are doing. I think Matt would be proud.
Thank you to all of you for your comments your messages and your support of Whitney. If you are here in MI then your job is not done. If we got drafted then our job is to enlist others. Check with your school and ask for a copy of their new policy. ( By law every district must have a new policy by June 2012 and have turned it into the state by 7/2012) Ask for a copy and ask how they will implement it. We and we are making a difference. Perhaps if not for "Matt's Law" this situation would have been swept under the rug, and I am so glad that it did not because of all of you.
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