Bullying To Be Topic of Island School Program September 4

Motivational speaker Gabrielle Ford of Fenton will present a program on bullying to Island students Tuesday, September 4.

The one-time dancer was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, a neuromuscular disease, when she was 12. She was bullied, teased, and taunted by her classmates, who did not understand her increasing clumsiness.

Ms. Ford, 26, and her dog, Izzy, both have the rare muscle disease. The pair have been featured on a documentary entitled "Izzy and Gabe" for the Animal Planet television network show, A Pet Story.

Now Ms. Ford educates students about bullying to help make schools safer. She encourages schools to implement a policy against bullying.

"A Lesson in Bullying" will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.