One of our own

[simulatortrain]

http://trib.com/news/local/state-and-regional/family-bullying-to-blame-in-wyoming--year-old-s/article_f75be98c-cde6-5b00-8834-b5b04a805925.html#ixzz1idr1cIzV

It's hard for me to say much after reading a story like this. Maybe it's his love of trains, and his character that brings this story so close to my heart; but just as much, it's the idea of a boy of just thirteen taking his own life.

My prayers go out to his family and friends.

 

[Euphod]

For some reason, I can't access the link.

 

[TheWaluigiKing]

All that just about bullying? how sad

 

[Euphod]

Thanks Zec, for fixing the link. That is one sad story there. I have a son who is thirteen, and it was hard to read.:'(

 

[cascaderailroad]

There are local & state agency's and authorities all set up to deal with bullying ... it should not have been let go this far ... there is always someone to turn to, that will listen, and stop the bullying.

 

[Klinger]

Sad story of a young railfan

http://trib.com/news/local/state-an...cle_f75be98c-cde6-5b00-8834-b5b04a805925.html

This story hits me hard personally, because Alex remind me a lot of myself at that age. From the fascination of trains, to the way I was bullied because of it.

 

[amrail2000]

I would agree with you 100%. That is the prime reason I run the SAXT forums the way I do. And why when I see it taking place here I step in and try to remove the person from that. That is so sad.

 

[amrail2000]

There are local & state agency's and authorities all set up to deal with bullying ... it should not have been let go this far ... there is always someone to turn to, that will listen, and stop the bullying.

Maybe so, but the victim has to feel comfortable turning to the person. These days if you turn to some one for help your labeled a snitch. Which then only makes it worse. Sorry but the perfect world is gone and these kids feel that have to handle things on their own. Sorry but I take this very seriously and I will get very rude about it need be.

 

[CRO]

Suicide by any teenager is terrible. Being one of us (Train fanatic) brings it closer to home.
Rest in peace - Alex.

Bob (CRO)

 

[Kris94]

Maybe so, but the victim has to feel comfortable turning to the person. These days if you turn to some one for help your labeled a snitch. Which then only makes it worse. Sorry but the perfect world is gone and these kids feel that have to handle things on their own. Sorry but I take this very seriously and I will get very rude about it need be.

Yeah it's sad and upsetting because I know what it's like to get bullied fortunately I still survive even though I shouldn't be here right now due to all the stuff that's happened to me but I guess maybe he was going through much worse than me and I thought I had it bad. But I never considered taking my life although I've had glimpses of doing that I've been holding it in. My condolences to his family.

 

[oknotsen]

Sad story

What a terrible sad story you got there .

 

[wilh]

Want to know something really sad, I knew him. I always enjoyed talking trains with him.

 

[engineeral]

Yes, very sad. I would not be surprised if this boy had undiagnosed Aspergers Syndrome. The parts about a very strong special interest and getting along much better with adults than other kids lines up with many Aspies. I just got diagnosed myself and I'm 56 years old.

Aspies have trouble understanding other people's thoughts and internal states and while wanting friends the same age have trouble picking up non-verbal cues. They can spend life alone in a crowd, not understanding why they have social problems.

And they are often picked on or bullied, or taken advantage of, even as adults.

 

[jmeinig]

Wow, I really do feel sorry. Too bad that there cannot be much meaning in typed text on a computer screen, but I really do give my condolences to the family.

 

[sawyer811]

Man, that just breaks my heart. I have to say I've born the brunt of a fair amount of bullying myself over the years: I've been teased about my love of trains, teased about my name being Sawyer (Apparently the others thought I had something to do with a bunch of different soy products), and teased because I stutter.

I really hope somebody is held accountable for what they did to this kid. Bullying is hell; God knows I used to have dreams of climbing aboard the little AT&SF 2-8-0 in the local museum (whose number graces my username) and just running off under a full head of steam to get away from it. Alex, you're not a victim, you're a warning to be heeded by all. And somewhere, there's a steam whistle sounding it's mournful call for you.

Rest in Peace, Fellow Railroader.

 

[Stationbeem]

This is truly a tragic loss of life. Not only to the family but also to a huge trains enthusiasts family be it model, simulator or full size. May he ride the trains of heaven with pride.
Thoughts and prayers to his family and the community he lived in.

 

[Kris94]

Man, that just breaks my heart. I have to say I've born the brunt of a fair amount of bullying myself over the years: I've been teased about my love of trains, teased about my name being Sawyer (Apparently the others thought I had something to do with a bunch of different soy products), and teased because I stutter.

I really hope somebody is held accountable for what they did to this kid. Bullying is hell; God knows I used to have dreams of climbing aboard the little AT&SF 2-8-0 in the local museum (whose number graces my username) and just running off under a full head of steam to get away from it. Alex, you're not a victim, you're a warning to be heeded by all. And somewhere, there's a steam whistle sounding it's mournful call for you.

Rest in Peace, Fellow Railroader.

If I was the UP I'd donate an SD40-2 to the family and bury his body in it. At least his final resting place will be a hobby he loves and a dream he could have come true in the afterlife. Just disgusting if you ask me. And I thought I was going through, well there's some people who are worse off.

P.S. I think the kids who were bullying him, if found, then they should be beat with a paddle until they can't even sit on their butts for a week and the cruel and unusual punishment should be exempt for these kids and beat them with an iron tire. Old school because kids these days are absolutely ridiculous!!

 

[JCitron]

Very sad to read this. I too know about bullying. I was always on the receiving end with a clubbed foot, and being scrawny thin pale-skinned didn't help much.

These psychologists and state officials have no clue, really what goes on. I've seen kids being bullied with the teachers watching and not doing anything.

This really is a tragic end to a young life.

John

 

[Davie_UCF]

This made me very sad. I was bullied all through my school life and it still has effects on my life now..

First thing I thought when reading the article was how different the USA is.. I mean how can a 13 year old get access to a gun, is that normal? Thats something I would have worried about first.

Part of me thinks suicide must be somewhat easier with a gun out of most of the other methods.

Very sad loss of life

 

[sawyer811]

This made me very sad. I was bullied all through my school life and it still has effects on my life now..

First thing I thought when reading the article was how different the USA is.. I mean how can a 13 year old get access to a gun, is that normal? Thats something I would have worried about first.

Part of me thinks suicide must be somewhat easier with a gun out of most of the other methods.

Very sad loss of life

Unfortunately, that's the problem. Despite their being laws about this kind of thing, there's always a way to get one, legal or not (usually not). I know a friend who loaned the pistol he used for competition shooting to a friend who had asked if he could borrow it for an upcoming rookie competition. Instead, he used it to shoot himself. Knowing he lived in Wyoming, it's very possible his father had a rifle or a pistol he used to protect against the various kinds of unfriendly wildlife out there (Wolves, Coyotes, etc.). He was home alone, and very easily could have just gotten it and gone.

the unfortunate part of this is that, as even his father said he wasn't exibiting any signs of suicidal thoughts, His parents probably wouldn't have thought to really lock up the gun. still, that doesn't take away from the tragedy.