We’ve shared stories about Corey Maison before. This beautiful 14-year-old girl was born a boy, and as such has had to fight adversities many of us will never be able to comprehend.
As a ‘he’, Corey struggled through primary school because ‘he’ “didn’t fit in with the girls and the boys made fun of him” … and that was before the term ‘transgender‘ was even brought into the equation.
She has so much to be proud of
Now, despite identifying as a girl, she’s had to fight for her right to use female bathrooms. She’s grown her hair out, switched from a public school to homeschooling and back to a public school, and reinvented herself to be someone that she is proud of.
No bully should be able to take away the enormity of what she has achieved for someone so young. But once upon a time, they did.
We all need to hear Corey’s story
That’s the message Corey shares in a recent video released by The BULLY Project. The clip details the highs and lows of being transgender – the insecurity, the bullying, the emotions – and let’s you inside the mind of a young victim of discrimination:
We love how she signs off: “I want to tell anyone being bullied this is temporary and it WILL get better. Know that even though it may not feel like it now – you are incredible, you are beautiful, you are worth so much and you are LOVED.”
#IAmAMisfit
In less than a week the clip has gone viral. It’s been viewed nearly 1.5 million times and shared 19,380 times. Nobody is trying to tear her down – rather they all see her as an inspirational example of strength and resilience.
One wrote, “I’m very sorry for everything you had to endure on your journey but am so glad you’re in such a good place now. Thank you so much for encouraging and supporting others. Bullying is never OK and is born of ignorance and fear. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”
And it is this sentiment that is echoed hundreds of times over.
“Kudos to a wonderful mum”
Another commenter wrote, “Kudos to a wonderful mum” – and we couldn’t agree more.
Watching the video, it’s clear Corey has been encouraged to discover who she – whatever that means – by parents whose love for her is completely unconditional.
Just last year Corey’s mum uploaded a video capturing her daughter’s excitement when she surprised her with her first round of hormones:
When you have a child, you’re automatically assigned to travel life’s ups and downs with them. This mum has stood by her ‘boy’ as ‘he’ wore heels and a dress to the shops one day. She homeschooled her kid when the bullies became too much, and she sought out another school when her daughter wanted to return.
We just want to hug this whole entire family. Bullies – especially young ones – don’t always realise the harm they can cause.
We’re just so glad to see Corey has already come out the other end of the fight – and she’s stronger than ever.
