Running Head: MICHAEL’S IMPACT
1
Michael’s Impact
Sage Gibbons
Florida Gulf Coast University
Running Head: Michael’s Impact
2
The story of Michael Anderson is a tragic story of how impactful different tragic situations can
be in the teenage years. The story is covered through a number of journal entries, letters, and
narrations of a funeral service. The reader is taken through a sorrowful adventure of a boy who is
sexually assaulted by his uncle and his cousin, verbally abused by his mother, and completely
wrecked on the rollercoaster of love. Michael seems to think that the world is deaf, dumb, blind,
and stupid to not realize what he was going through. As he tries to tell his parents what is going
on, he struggles with their disbelief. How could they let their son go through this?
His mother wasn’t one to care for Michael, and constantly complained that she wanted a girl.
Michael’s short coming in her eyes (the fact that he is a boy) was what constantly led him to be
overlooked when it came to normal human rights. His sister was treated like a princess and
would laugh when Michael got in trouble. He was beat for being hyper and just about every other
“wrong” thing he was accused of.
Michael Anderson was also sexually assaulted by his uncle. He would be sent to his uncle’s
house and taken advantage of on a number of occasions. He was told that he had to go to his
Uncle’s house after school even after he had told his parents that he was being abused by him.
His sister on the other hand was allowed to go home after school, even though she was only a
year older than him. This sexual abuse led to him touching a girl inappropriately at school one
day. Luckily her parents decided not to press charges against him.
Michael’s affection toward girls was very strong. Two girls in particular caught his eye. One of
them, Michelle thought he was too immature for her. She had opened up to him about her past
life as an abused child as well, but she turned to guys who were tougher than Michael. Michael’s
other love was Janice. She was a red-headed Mormon girl who was not allowed to get into a
Running Head: Michael’s Impact
3
relationship with Michael because Mormons do not support interracial marriage. Both of these
girls experienced Michael’s strong passion for music and poetry.
By the end of the story Michael is sent over the edge because Janice (who had decided to pursue
a relationship with him regardless of her religion) had broken up with him and his mother would
not stop her mental abuse. He had found a Sunday school teacher to confide in, and he would
write him notes. He wrote a note to him telling him that he couldn’t take it anymore. After
giving his teacher that note, he over dosed on a bottle of pain killers. His funeral ends with Janice
reading a letter from Michael.
One incident in the book that was really impactful was his mother’s reaction to his “bloody
stools” at school. (Moore, 2012, P. 22) Although it is a graphic part of the book, it truly hurts me
how a parent could let their child be physically hurt and be okay with it. Growing up we all
experience medical issues and I couldn’t imagine going through those issues without a support of
a parent. On top of it, I couldn’t imagine knowing the reason behind the issue and not being able
to tell the doctor in fear of getting beat by my parents. It’s quite mentally straining when you put
yourself into the shoes of this character of Michael.
There are many indicators of abuse that teachers should always look for. Any unexplained
injuries such as bruises and welts, burns, and fractures are one area that should set off a “red
alert” to teachers. Poor hygiene, constant hunger and inappropriate dress could be the sign of
parents without enough money to support their children or poor use of their money causing lack
of support. Major sexual abuse signs involve difficulty walking or sitting, bloody underclothing,
pain or itching in the genital areas, bruises or bleeding in external genital areas, venereal disease,
frequent urinary or yeast infections, and frequent or unexplained sore throats. Lastly, big signs of
Running Head: Michael’s Impact
4
emotional maltreatment include speech disorders, lags in physical development, failure to thrive,
asthma, severe allergies, ulcers, and substance abuse. (Edmunds, MacDicken, 1979)
The teacher’s role and responsibility is to be the person the child can confide in as well as being
the reporter of this abuse. It is not only important but also required by law for the teacher to
report these abuse signs immediately. To report child abuse you can call 1-800-4-A-Child.
Although it might be hard for a teacher to report because they might think they are breaking a
child’s trust, it will hurt the child more if they continue to be abused. Abuse can (and usually is)
a life impacting event.
This story will impact my teaching in a big way. One thing I often don’t think about is how
important it is as a teacher to be on my guard looking out for abuse and neglect. It’s frightening
how common it is for a child to experience it, and to know that I might be teaching a child like
that is alarming. I would never want to be the teacher to overlook the warning signs displayed to
me by my students. If anything I would love to help a child who is being abused, because that
would be one less abused child in the future.
I know that I will keep the paper with the warning signs with me through my life as a teacher. I
plan on teaching second or third grade students and I know that abuse happens even in the early
years. Knowing some second and third graders personally, I can’t imagine them going through
situations like this, but I know it happens. I not only plan to teach second or third grade but I also
plan on teaching orphans at some point in my life. I know after previously working with orphans
that a lot of them are past victims of abuse and neglect, but I view them as survivors. This story
has shown me an example of how they may have been treated, and I would never wish that
treatment on anyone.
Running Head: Michael’s Impact
This story has also taught me the power of Christ and how he can get us through anything. I
know God has a plan for my life, and I’m quite sure that part of his plan was for me to read this
story. I know that he has put orphans in my life and Education as my career goal for a reason. I
hope that I can be a light and possibly prevent a bad outcome like Michael’s. Although I may
never know if I have prevented someone from ending their life like he did, I would rather not
know than to know I didn’t help in a case where someone did commit suicide.
5
Running Head: Michael’s Impact
6
References
Edmunds, MacDicken, (1979) Early Childhood Programs and the prevention and Treatment of
Child Abuse and Neglect Location: Washington D.C.
Moore (2012) Deaf, Dumb, Blind, and Stupid, Location: United States of America