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| Ronin Shimizu |
YOUNG RONIN SHIMIZU followed his heart and for that, he was teased and bullied. The Folsom, California student committed suicide Dec. 3 because he thought no one understood him.
Ronin's tragic story swept the Internet and was printed in media outlets around the world.
His parents, Brandon and Danielle Shimizu, described their son as the "most loving, compassionate, empathetic, artistic and funny kids to grace this earth," in a statement issued to the media.
It was his "specialness" that made him a target of bullies, "individuals that could not understand or accept his uniqueness."
Ronin's story touched so many people. Friends and people who never met the young boy are expressing their heartfelt condolences at a Twitter account #ripronin.
A Ronin Shimizu memorial fundraising effort began Saturday at GoFundMe.com and had raised more than $6,000 by Monday morning.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article4368221.html#storylink=cpy
Statement from Shimizu Family:
The tragic loss of our son has and will forever change our life. The love and support that we received from family, friends and the Folsom community has been immeasurable and words cannot begin to express our gratitude through this most difficult grieving process.
The people close to our family know exactly who Ronin was, but since the story of this tragedy has spread worldwide, we want to take a minute to let the world know who he was. Ronin was one of the most loving, compassionate, empathetic, artistic and funny kids to grace this earth."
Ronin was a child who was not afraid to follow his heart, and we as his parents did everything in our power to allow him to pursue his passions, while protecting him from the minority that could not understand the specialness he possessed.
As you already know, Ronin loved to do Cheer, but he also loved art, fashion, being a Scout and most recently crew/rowing. It is true that because of his specialness, Ronin was a target of bullying by individuals that could not understand or accept his uniqueness. Ronin was not just a target of bullying because of his participation in cheer, but for him just being Ronin.
We as his parents always knew that he would make an impact on the world, we just thought it would be in something like fashion design or art related. We had no idea that God and Buddha had a more important role for him, and we as his parents will make it our mission in life to turn this tragedy into something positive and hopefully prevent another senseless tragedy. In closing, please remember that education in regards to bullying prevention does not only need to occur in our schools but also in the home.
Thank you,
Brandon and Danielle Shimizu
Need help?
Bullying can affect you in many ways. You may lose sleep or feel sick. You may want to skip school. You may even be thinking about suicide. If you are feeling hopeless or helpless or know someone that is, please call the LIFELINE at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to www.stopbullying.gov.
Need help?
Bullying can affect you in many ways. You may lose sleep or feel sick. You may want to skip school. You may even be thinking about suicide. If you are feeling hopeless or helpless or know someone that is, please call the LIFELINE at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to www.stopbullying.gov.
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Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article4368221.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article4368221.html#storylink=cpy
