A 15-YEAR-old Brisbane school girl has been suspended for shaving her head to raise money for vital cancer research.
Emily Pridham and her family told Channel Nine News her father is battling leukemia.
You try to go through life in a mellow mood, never getting upset, keeping everything on an even keel. Then, as you're cruising through this wonderful, evil, big bad world, you come upon a story like this, and you get pissed fucking off. What is wrong with these people? Has every fucking body lost their fucking minds? This girls Father has only a short time left on this earth, and they suspend her from school for shaving her head to get recognition and money for the disease thats killing him! Who are these idiots and who the fuck put them in charge of a fucking school?
I've never been to a Catholic school, but I was raised around Catholics all my life. Most are good people with a good moral compass, just as other religions teach. Who in God's name would make, or enforce, a rule that kicks a girl out of school until her hair grows back. A girl that was doing a "good" thing. She wasn't flouting school rules or school policy. Her Dad was dying!! She wanted to make him proud. I know if I was her Dad I would go to my grave with the biggest smile on my face that I'd ever had.
I understand that every school has rules and policies to keep the kids orderly and in line. I know you can't have kids doing the wrong things. It would lead to anarchy in the schools and in life in general. But to suspend a girl who is trying to raise money and get more recognition for a disease that kills as many people as Leukemia is lunacy. Let me tell you one thing that really pisses me off. My Dad died of Leukemia when I was thirteen years old, and after over forty years, I'm still not over it.
He was diagnosed with this killer disease when I was eight. They gave him a year to live at best. We were stationed at Governors Island in New York City, but the military transfered us to Manchester, N.H. The Doctors wanted him to be near the Veterans hospital so he would be closer to his treatments. Now, this was before all the new breakthroughs and advancements in cancer treatments. This disease back then was an automatic death sentence. Not only did my Father live five years with this deadly disease, he went to work as normal, went to these barbaric treatments that were the norm back in the day, and then went out and got another job at night so when he died, we wouldn't be wanting for anything. Damn what he must have been going through. Damn what a man!
So please excuse me if this hit a nerve. If I could have had a smile from my Dad before he died, I would have shaved my head with a dull knife. I didn't get to see my Dad in his last days. It seems like my Mom thought I was to young to see him suffering. Bullshit! I would cut off my arm just to of had a chance to say goodbye to this amazing man. But thats old news. This young girl is fixing to lose her Dad. How galling it is to think that these elders, these people who write the rules, cannot make an exception in this case. But I'll bet you one thing. Her Father doesn't care about this suspension. I bet her Father is grinning from ear to ear. I know my Dad would have been!
A 15-YEAR-old Brisbane school girl has been suspended for shaving her head to raise money for vital cancer research.
Emily Pridham and her family told Channel Nine News her father is battling leukemia.
He underwent a bone marrow transplant a few weeks ago but has been given only a few months to live.
Ms Pridham decided to shave her head as part of a fundraiser for cancer research.
"Basically my way of coping is to try and help other people going through the same thing," she said.
Ms Pridham said she has been banned from Mount Alvernia College until her hair grows back.
Barbara Pridham said she supports her daughter's fundraising decision.
"I am just appalled that she could be suspended by a Catholic school that promotes joy, respect and community spirit," she said.
Mount Alvernia College released a statement to Channel Nine News that said Ms Pridham had breached the college's uniform guidelines and had been suspended because of "ongoing issues".
By Tuesday morning, Ms Pridham had established a Facebook group to support her and was quickly gathering members.
She said on the page: "My inbox and Facebook wall are overflowing with messages of support. I Love my MAC girls, and thanks for standing behind me, It realy shows that in times of need the girls will always stick together .."
LintheSoutheast
Lucy Mercer
Kim Hartman
T. Michael Stone
katip44
happygolucky432
Salon.com
Comments
The arrogance and insensitivity of this school is appalling. Time to find another school.
Is this what passes for Christian/Catholic compassion for the sick and dying? I'll bet a hundred donuts someone from the state archdiocese sees what a public relations horrorshow this is and reinstates that girl with apologies to all.
Of course, I've been wrong before,.
This is a cold world, colder than ever now.
and yes, yesterdays cover was a slap.
what i dont understand is the editor's adamant refusal to let our opinions count. its just weird.
this story though, is an outrage. i hope she has been reinstated. there is no excuse for this. thanks for sharing.
frills, it's freezing out there, and it ain't the weather. Thanks
Thanks smittee! I couldn't believe it. I started to write a big stinkin' post about it, but it probably would have never got through!
Bob, compassion is now spelled fuckyou! Thanks!
nut, I read some of the best posts ever yesterday. Cover stuff! But what do they headline? Dr. fucking Amy! Fuck, that pisses me off!
Stephen, how right you are. I guess if she would have been a soccer star, she could have cut off her ears for all they cared! Thanks~~
rated
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x809127204/Students-show-support-for-assistant-principal-with-cancer
The school wrote that the girl was suspended for "ongoing issues," not because she shaved her head to raise money for cancer research. My guess is that this girl had been a behavioral problem in other areas, but is using her haircut to paint herself as the angel here. Catholic schools are heavily dependant on alumni donations, and suspending a little girl whose father is dying for shaving her head for a cancer research fundraiser is a public-relations nightmare.
Rated.
MAB, I can't wrap my head around this. It's just wrong!
Leeandra, I can see where you would say that. I have the Facebook site above, take a look. But I'll tell you one thing, when it comes to your Mom and Dad dying, I don't give a fuck if she slapped the fucking principal, it is wrong. There is no reason on this earth to do this. If she wore the wrong T-shirt, or her dresses were to high, big fucking shit. Her DAD is dying, Damn!!
Boarner, now I can breath! Thank you!!
Owl, stupid indeed!
Rose, not saying goodbye has haunted me. I still have a problem with this, Thanks~~
65andStillAlive give me Five! I love that handle. Too cool for school!! Thank you for stopping by!!
You have my heartfelt sympathy regarding your dad. My mom succumbed to lymphoma 5-years ago. Premature death due to illness is never an easy thing, but I can’t imagine how traumatic the experience must be for a child to lose their parent in this manner.
We have our crosses to bear too -- Joe Lieberman, among others.
R
I don't really understand how it's a violation of a dress code but if they say so. If a boy had done this I'm sure it would be an entirely different issue and no one would notice or care. If it were me I'd keep shaving my head the entire school year...but that's just me.
Thank Chuck!
John, if Jesus came back today, you and I better run for the hills!
WA, how did I know you world say this. Because in your writings, you are a person of strong beliefs. I, too would have shaved my head, in the principals office!!
Thanks Jesse!
Dragon, please go to the Facebook page in the above link, and see!
she fights the good fight for dad
mean schools are stupid
Great choice of story, well told.
Rated.
What a great kid!!
Thoth, I don't know how far back it really goes, put the Zero Tolerance shit put into schools after Columbine might have a little, or a lot to do with it. There is no such thing as Zero Tolerance. Sometimes things aren't black or white, they're grey!! Thanks!
FYEO, yes she is. I went of the Facebook page and she is now all over the world. I would bet her school is getting a few call. Thanks
The school is teaching its female students vanity, and that they should not sacrifice for a cause. What if she were the cancer patient and because of Kemo had lost her hair. Would she still be punished?
Religion is a terrible thing.
Rated.
As many kids as possible should shave their heads.
I'm sorry you lost your dad so young, scanner. I'll bet he would have been really proud of the man you turned out to be.
If Ya were a Catholic alter boy Ya may have got screwed.
I'm lucky. Sister Maria Killer Kooky booted me off a list.
The best thing to do if Ya a alter boy? Start to rob wine.
Steal money from thee poor box to buy Crypts, Colt 45.
I'm sad for these crazy dark-side creeps who hurt folks.
karma. Their Exxon stock will buy them a nutty place.
Creeps may cling on a nut.
Creeps will be a tiny flea.
Creep cling to scrotum.
I'm not a theologian.
I learn from inmates.
Jailbirds and farmers.
No Mennonites tell me.
I talk to itchy dog jackals.
Thanks for sharing this story as well as your memories of your dad. Sounds like he was an amazing guy.