Just a month ago, Autumn Bushman was a fearless, loving, and full of energy 10-year-old. Her parents remembered her as having a lot of vitality and being full of affection.
The world of the Bushman family was turned upside down on March 21, when Autumn Bushman took her own life at their residence in Roanoke, Virginia. This tragic event was a terrible conclusion to what her parents describe as unrelenting bullying that was not addressed.
The tragic way in which it proceeded to unfold
Autumn’s issues started when she stood up for friends who were being bullied at Mountain View Elementary School, when she was in the fourth grade. Her parents, who are in a state of grief, explained that this was the beginning of her problems.
Autumn was not praised for her bravery; rather, she became the next target of the attack campaign.
According to reports, the bullying initiated itself at the beginning of the school year in August of last year, when Autumn was enrolled in the fourth grade.
“She was the type of person who would defend someone who was being bullied or picked on because she was one of those people. Autumn’s mother, Summer Bushman, expressed her regret to WDBJ that her daughter may have become a target for additional bullying as a result of this.
Despite the fact that Autumn’s parents were aware that she was being bullied, they claim that the situation took a tragic turn in the final weeks of her life.
In the beginning, there were certain minor adjustments that, when viewed in retrospect, bore a significant amount of significance. The season of autumn, which was once brimming with vivacity and laughter, began to wear darker garments. Her dazzling grin began to fade. She found herself sleeping more, playing less, and gradually distancing herself from the world that she had previously so fearlessly embraced.
“I did not observe any indications that prompted me to think, ‘Something is really wrong,'” Mark Bushman stated.
That being said, it did appear to diminish her shine in the final few weeks leading up to the event.
“Would it be possible for me to skip school today?”
The couple claims that they informed school administration about the bullying, and they were given the assurance that the matter was being addressed right away. However, Autumn’s parents are now of the opinion that their efforts were not sufficient.
Autumn Bushman’s mother, Summer Bushman, stated that she had previously discussed the topic of suicide awareness with her two older children, who are now 12 and 17 years old. However, she never anticipated that she would have to have that same conversation with her daughter, who was ten years old at the time.
Summer recalled that a few weeks ago, she came to her with tears in her eyes and was in a very distressed state. And she said, “Mom, I’m just, I’m really stressed out,” which is a phrase that she used. I am victims of bullying. I would appreciate it if you could let me skip school tomorrow.'”
It was too much for Autumn to handle the stress at this point. Mark, her father, voiced his sadness and heartbreak at the fact that he was unable to protect his daughter when she was participating in school activities.
“I am unable to be in school. In addition, I am unable to act as a referee. It is my opinion that this is the problem,” he stated. “We are not only entrusting the schools with our children for a number of hours each day, but I am also concerned about the kind of surveillance that the schools are keeping on them. Is it true that they are actively discussing the matter with the girls and taking action in the event that something needs to be rectified?
Unfortunately, Autumn Bushman, who was 10 years old at the time, was discovered dead in her bedroom on March 21. She had committed suicide.
The news of her passing shook the Roanoke neighborhood and caused her family to be saddened. As words of support continued to come in, the local school system announced that it would be conducting a comprehensive investigation into the sequence of events that led up to the tragedy.
We are undertaking a comprehensive examination, but owing to federal privacy rules and out of respect for the family, we are unable to share the specifics of this matter at this time. “We take all reports of bullying and conflicts between students very seriously,” the school stated in a statement. “Our schools take these reports very seriously.”
Far too little, far too late
On the other hand, the response is insufficient and comes too late for Autumn’s loved ones.
Despite the fact that it may seem too early, the Bushmans are encouraging other parents to maintain vigilance and engage in open and honest conversations with their children about issues related to mental health and bullying. The explanation that Summer provided was that although Autumn was permitted to possess a phone, she was not permitted to use social media. However, the persistent pressure and tension that came from education managed to make its way in.
The funeral for Autumn was held at the end of the month of March. The family of the deceased person decided to open the service to the entire community in the hopes that her narrative would inspire genuine change and promote awareness.
In addition, her father, Mark Bushman, sent a heartfelt statement on Facebook, in which he urged communities and parents to work together in the fight against bullying.
Making an end to bullying is not something that can be accomplished by people working alone; rather, it is something that can be accomplished by a community working together. We will be able to bring about meaningful change if we direct our efforts not toward battling the old but rather toward constructing the new. Let’s make sure that these children have a life that is worth living by holding them accountable and providing them with reliable resources, both at home and in the educational system,” he added.
A great number of people’s emotions have been moved by Autumn’s narrative, and it continues to reverberate now that her awful experience is being shared all over the world. Over the course of the past month, the entire Roanoke community has come together in support of her family, with many individuals sending supportive notes and aggressively speaking out against bullying of any type.
Moments from Autumn’s life are captured in a touching video tribute that was shared on social media. These moments include her dressed up in costumes, laughing outside, and growing up in what seems like the blink of an eye. One of the people who paid tribute to her memory was a close friend of the family named Cher Nelson Johnson, who posted the video along with a heartfelt statement.
According to what she posted on a post that included a video of Autumn growing up, “So heartbreaking.”
Take a look at your people
‘ The young person seen in this photograph is a kind and compassionate young person who took their own life today as a result of being bullied. Sadly, a talented young lady from Roanoke has passed away.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could keep Summer Bushman and her family in your thoughts during this difficult time as they grieve the loss of their daughter Autumn Brooke Bushman, who was ten years old. Make sure that your people are okay. It is important to discuss bullying with your children. All forms of bullying must be put to an end!
Since the very beginning, Autumn’s parents have made it quite clear that they are not only sharing her story in order to expose the destructive effects of bullying, but also in order to pay tribute to the remarkable young lady that she was.
Both Summer and Mark Bushman recall their daughter as a vivacious and effervescent individual who brought a smile to everyone’s face whenever she entered a room. She had a passion for archery, cheerleading, and dance. For her, the hue baby blue was her favorite. But above all else, it was Autumn’s generosity and enormous heart that ultimately made her a person who would be remembered forever.
In light of this, they have expressed their hope that her legacy will be one of transformation, compassion, and a recommitment to ensuring that no kid ever feels isolated.
