From The Inclusion Daily Express:
Susan Boyle Talks About Intellectual Disability And School Bullying
(The Mirror)
November 18, 2009
LONDON, ENGLAND– [Excerpt] Tormented singer Susan Boyle has revealed for the first time how she was beaten and bullied as a child.
The Britain’s Got Talent star says she was lashed with a belt every day by brutal teachers and cruelly taunted by other kids.
The singing sensation spoke out about her traumatic upbringing in her first interview since finishing her debut album, I Dreamed A Dream.
The LP comes out next week and is already the most pre-ordered of all time, with worldwide sales thought to be well in excess of 100,000.
“I was often left behind at school because of one thing or another. I was a slow learner.”
“I’m just I’m a wee bit slower at picking things up than other people. So you get left behind in a system that just wants to rush on, you know?”
She added: “There was discipline for the sake of discipline back then. But it’s all very different now. I think teachers are taught to understand children with learning disabilities a lot better.”
Entire article:
Susan Boyle: I was beaten every day, reveals Britain’s Got Talent star
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/2009/red/1118d.htm
Planet of the Blind 
Lucacentric, thanks for the tip! Can’t wait! Have you seen that clip from it in which Donny Osmond is serenading Susan Boyle? So cute! Here it is if you haven’t seen it yet: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=193736444869&ref=mf
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I think Susan Boyle’s voice is amazingly beautiful. I think her story is even more incredible. The way she came out the other side from all of her trials in life is uplifting. While I wait for the movie of her life to be made, I found out that the TV Guide Channel is having an exclusive special on her December 13.
I found a clip on youtube about it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C1MYzoOuOE
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I’ve been following the Suan Boyle story with interest ~ ever since I first saw her on the talent show. I can recall feeling angry at the initial prejudice everyone showed towards her just because she didn’t match their expectaions that talented people must be glamorous too. I was deeply saddened when I heard she had been bullied.
I am sorry that Susan experienced bullying but I am glad it is being brought to the public attention. People need to be aware that bullying is real and does happen ~ and it can happen to anyone not just children.
I haven’t disclosed this publically before for legal reasons (so I will be careful how I say it) but this year I resigned from my job because I was bullied by my boss. I am currently taking legal action against her. The bullying started when I disclosed I was temporarily unable to drive to work due to the pathology in my tibia ~ I went on to have surgery related to cancer (a bone graft to my tibia). I am covered by the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK but it didn’t prevent the bullying occuring.
The shocking thing is that I am a capable graduate with an excellent CV, who has been a senior manager for many large companies in the past. I am articulate, attractive and good at my job. I am also a trained and qualified counsellor who is used to dealing with difficult situations. I don’t point this out because I think I should be immune for those reasons ~ but because it shows that ANYONE can be bullied. You don’t have to be a slow learner, or inadequate in any way. Bullying can affect anyone, anywhere.
Since I was bullied at work I have found it difficult to come to terms with. It has affected me badly (stress symptoms, nausea, can’t sleep, nightmares when I do sleep, nervous skin condition etc) and I also feel ashamed. I know feeling ashamed is irrational since it was not my fault but somehow I think I should have been able to sort it out.
Even now I keep asking myself why it happened. How can I have been bullied at the age of 56 years old after a successful 35 year career as a manager, then senior manager? Why couldn’t I stop it happening (I really tried ~ but to no avail)? I am haunted by not being able to stop it.
I hope that by standing up to my x-boss I will prevent her ever bullying anyone else again. I hope it will also encourage others to speak out. And from a personal point of view, I hope it will enable me to come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t my fault and bring me some closure.
I hope that anyone being bullied can find the strength to speak out.
I have left my blog address off, for obvious reasons. But I am a regular visitor to your blog.
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