Girl Called 'Ugly' And Taunted For Having Heart Problem Proves Bullies Wrong By Landing Modelling Contract
This Girl Proved Her Bullies Wrong Despite Having Seven Heart Operations
PA / The Huffington Post UK
From an early age, Casey Elder knew that her health wasn't quite right. Reaching her teens, she found out she had a condition which caused her heart to beat abnormally fast.
At secondary school, she endured bullying because of her health. Classmates would taunt her saying she was "ugly" and "fat", or that she was going to die.
Now 19-years-old, Casey has had the last laugh after being scouted by a modelling agency.
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The model, from Tottenham, North London, changed secondary schools after excessive bullying from fellow pupils. Now after enduring heart surgery seven times, she's bounced back and works as a professional model.
"I was only two when I first became ill. My temperature rocketed to 41C and I was floppy and fatigued," Casey explains.
"Naturally my parents were petrified and rushed me to the hospital."
It was there that Casey was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease – a rare condition that mainly affects children under the age of five.
The disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, can cause a rash, swollen glands, dry, cracked lips, red eyes, as well as red fingers and toes.
It’s not known what causes it, but there have been reports of the disease causing future health complications such as coronary artery lesions.
"For me, suffering from the disease triggered a chain of other illnesses, including polycystic ovaries, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, suspected rheumatoid arthritis and suspected lung disease," Casey says.
Casey was also diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, when she was six which causes her heart to beat abnormally fast.
At rest, normal heart rate in adults is 60-100 beats per minute (bpm), and in babies and children up to 150 bpm. But Casey’s heart rate can reach up to almost twice that, at 260bmp.
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"I had an attack at school when I was 12, my heart was beating frantically. But seeing me panic, my classmates just laughed at me and tormented me about it," says Casey.
"They didn’t understand how serious it was. Instead they just picked on me because of it. They called me fat, ugly, everything really. When they found out about my heart they said I would be dead soon. It made me wonder if there was any point in being here."
The bullying soon became so bad that Casey was forced to change schools. But the pounding attacks continued – sometimes as often as 16 times a day, and would cause her to become incredibly weak and vomit.
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How To Talk About Bullying
DO: Tell Them They Are Not Alone(01 of11)
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Bullying can be an incredibly isolating experience, and many victims feel that they are alone–that something about them, specifically, has brought this on. Explain to your child that bullying is something that can happen to anyone: boys, girls, preschoolers, high schoolers, kids at large schools and kids at small schools. This means there is a large group of people impacted by bullying, and if we all work together, we can certainly make a difference. (credit:Shutterstock)
DON'T: Suggest They "Just Ignore It"(02 of11)
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A common reaction to bullying is encouraging the victim to ignore the bully. "They just want a reaction," people say, and if you deny them the reaction, they'll go away. That's not always the case. Sometimes, when the bully realizes they are being ignored, they can feel a sense of power over their victim that can actually make the situation worse. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Check In Regularly(03 of11)
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Asking your child basic questions about their day and their experience at school can help you catch a problem sooner. Ask how a specific class was, or who they sat with at lunch. Ask who is trying out for the team, or who is going to local fair that weekend. These harmless questions tell your child that you care, but they can also help you detect changes in your child's situation that may indicate a bullying problem. (credit:Getty Images)
DON'T: Suggest Your Child Stand Up To The Bully(04 of11)
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While helping your child prepare a speech or enrolling them in self-defense courses might seem like an empowering solution, you're sending the message to your child that this problem is theirs, and that they have to handle it alone. Instead, discuss what some solutions might be and involve your child in the decision making process. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Set Boundaries Online(05 of11)
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The National Crime Prevention Council reports that 20 to 43 percent of middle and high school school students have reported being victims of cyber bullying. Encourage your child to protect themselves by following these two guidelines:1. Never say or do anything online that you wouldn't say or do in person. 2. Never share any information that you wouldn't tell a stranger. (credit:Shutterstock)
DON'T: Express Disbelief(06 of11)
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While we'd like to think we know everything about our children and their friends, don't express disbelief if they say someone has done something that shocks you. Your child needs to know that they can trust you. Asking them to provide evidence or saying that someone "would never do that" can come across as you taking the side of someone other than your child. Instead, be as supportive as possible and listen to their side. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Encourage Them To Speak Up(07 of11)
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A recent study of children ages 9 to 12, showed that 56 percent said that they usually either say or do something to try to stop bullying or tell someone who can help (Brown, Birch, & Kancherla, 2005). Make sure your child knows who he or she can talk to if they have something they want to share, whether that is you, a school counselor, a teacher or a coach. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Discourage Password Sharing(08 of11)
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Explain the importance of keeping online passwords private, even from close friends. Your child may be thinking that sharing a password with a close friend is harmless and convenient, but explain that anyone with their password could impersonate them online and embarrass them. If they insist that the friend would never do that, remind them that the friend could share their password, either intentionally or unintentionally, and someone else would have that same power. (credit:Shutterstock)
DON'T: Take Matters Entirely Into Your Own Hands(09 of11)
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While your first reaction may be to protect your child by calling the parent of the bully or confront the child yourself, this is not always a good solution. Not only is this this rarely effective, it may even prove fodder for additional bullying. Your child wants to feel empowered and involved in the solution, so discuss options with him or her and work together to decide on a plan of action. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Be Patient(10 of11)
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Your child may be embarrassed or afraid to talk about what is happening to them. This is normal. Rather than pressuring your child into speaking before they are ready, just make it clear that you are willing to listen and be a source of support for them. Once they feel comfortable, they will know that they can open up to you and seek your advice. Better yet, if you've had this conversation preemptively, before a problem arises, your child will know right away that you can be their partner in finding a solution. (credit:Shutterstock)
DO: Find Resources Online(11 of11)
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Green Giant's Raise A Giant site includes a page that lets you read letters other parents have written to empower their children. You can write your own letter and explore their other resources, including videos and sharable infographics. PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center site also has a page with resources like informational handouts, fact sheets, educational toolkits, and the "We Will Generation." You can also browse the video page to see if some of their video resources would be helpful for you or for your child. Green Giant's Raise A Giant site includes a page that lets you write a letter to empower your child, but you can also read the letters other parents have written to inspire your talks with your child. (credit:Shutterstock)
Doctors battled to control the teenager’s illness between the ages of 13 and 19.
Over the years she underwent seven heart operations, the first aged 12. She had six heart operations under general anaesthetic at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London, and one under general anaesthetic at the Heart Hospital, London.
Her most recent operation was on 17 September this year, when a device fitted to measure her heart beats was removed. She is due another in November when the same device is re-implanted.
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"Doctors have said I’ve done so well with all the operations because I have such a powerful heart," says Casey.
Despite being in hospital throughout most of her teens, she managed to achieve top GCSE grades including an A* in maths. And the teenager has even more to celebrate after being scouted by a modelling agency in Wood Green, North London.
"When I was little I took part in catwalk shows, and since then I’ve been approached to be a professional model," Casey explains. "I’ve done music videos and iPhone App adverts and I’m now waiting for more work. It’s exciting."
"I feel like I’ve beat the bullies," she adds. "I’m now learning to live with my illness and keeping it under control.
"As long as my heart’s still beating, I’ll keep fighting back. Nothing can stop me."