Look and Listen

Biography

I was born in Nottingham, England, in the summer of 1967. I lived with my grandparents and my sister Teresa in a small three-bedroom end terrace house. My mother left us when I was five-years old only to live a few streets away. I was very happy being raised by my grandparents and unaware of the reality why my mother left us? My upbringing was cradled with love, pride and hard work. I was given regular chores around the house, from chopping logs, shovelling a ton of coal to cutting hedgerows as high as castle walls and clearing iced-snow off the neighbour’s pathways. Grandad said it would make me an honest man and that hard work didn’t hurt anyone. So, I did all I was told to do. My grandparents didn’t have much, though, my sister and I never went without. Like any other siblings, me and my sister fought to the death whenever we had the opportunity. There was three years between us, she being the oldest and the biggest snitch that ever lived, left us with very little in conmen. She’d often laugh in my face because I was given so many chores to complete but as always, I would get my own back. My grandfather and I developed a very close father-son relationship. I was kept close by his side, protected by the strength of is love from anything and everything that threatened harm. Growing up fast, I soon learnt that my grandfather couldn’t always be there for me, as I fell victim to bulling on the streets I played and later within my secondary schooling. Being a shy and reserved boy I didn’t stand up for myself when being tormented and bullied. Filled with many fears I often tried to ignore what was happening and looked for the quickest solution out, usually, running as fast as my legs could carry me. Simply because my mother wasn’t there as I grew, I was filled with a desire to want what I had never had. As much as I tried to win my mothers affections I seemed to fail miserably. She never aloud me to get close and often lashed out. The strong feeling of rejection from my own mother and the tormenting bullying I received turned me into a quite and introverted young boy. I was introduced to an eleven year-old boy named Gerald Parnham who becomes a true friend and often a shoulder to lean on. Side by side we battle through each day confronted with the torment and distress of bullied school life. Both of us were fearful of retaliation, though, determined not to be beaten to the ground, we created a distraction from all our bullying fears and upsets. Together we mustering up mischievous ventures, packed with adrenalin pumped fun and laughter. This was to become our only escape from a fear we felt that was unbeatable. This dark cloud persisted to hang over our heads throughout our secondary school education. I’ve spent most of my life ducking, diving and not believing in myself when things got rough and tuff. I’m now in my mid forty’s and it wasn’t until a few years back that I grabbed hold of my life by the rains. Up and until then, my bullied school years have stayed with me as a permanent torment, often shaping the decisions I have made, what I did and the way I did them. A lack of confidence and self belief became a new form of bully in my life. In January 2009 my best friend Gerald passed away. Failing to let go, I remember something he always said, ya know what Mart, ya could write a book on what we’ve done together, and so… I did. Writing this book was a journey, a peak into the way things once was. I realised after many years that the after-effects of being bullied had totally consumed me. By challenging myself I managed to break many confidence barriers and in turn this strengthened my self-belief. Now I’ve gone full circle I’m much stronger than ever before, and so, now I’m ready to share my story with those alike. Martin Burton (Author of Paper Planes)

Inspiration

The passing of my brother Gary and my best friend Gerald was to become the drive to write my book. My future intent is to raise awareness of school bullying and ultimately help to inspire those who are amongst its silent sufferers. The release of this book is timely when we consider the increased awareness faced by our education system of bullying and the ongoing detrimental effect it has on the youth of today. Many educators struggle with the issue of bullying and how to deliver effective programs to combat it. I'm confident that the book may be used as a useful resource as it directly relates to the story of two young boys.