We Day Chicago

Bullying cyberbullying

cyberbullying

Family

Food

Health Diabetes weight loss

Diabetes

weight loss

Help

Life

Reviews

TheWaitIsOver

Travel

I was trying to get backstage when someone grabbed my hand. It was a young girl shaking with sobs. I bent over to ask if she was ok, and she grabbed me close. She attempted to talk a few time, then took a deep breath. She looked straight into my eyes, and said, through tears,

We were at We Day Chicago . The We Day website says it is “Youth coming together to make the world a better place is the global movement of our time—We Day is this movement.” I would say it’s a celebration of those who are wanting to change the world. There is so much to say about We Day, but I need to bring you back to this moment.

My daughter was backstage somewhere getting ready for a big surprise. I watched her walk away confidently, ready to do this thing . We were in the Allstate Arena, where over 18,000 teens were screaming, shouting and sharing their excitement at being with so many people like them. Selena Gomez took the stage, and the kids erupted. I heard Selena say my daughters name, talked about bullying, and how Ally decided to be proud, be strong, and most of all, #BeBrave. Then, Ally’s face filled the stage, and her story was shared.

I wept. I often think my heart can’t break any more than it did the day I walked into a room to find a broken girl attempting to end her own life to escape the pain of constant bullying. I was wrong.

I watched as her story showed everything about her ordeal. It showed her face as she remembered those awful names she was called, the taunts to kill herself. I could see her reliving it. I relived it. I could see in her eyes that she could hear those voices again screaming at her to DIE! DIE! DIE! – that she was unworthy of life because she was nothing more then the victim they chose, because she was fat, because she stood for something different than what they did, for daring to stand up to them. I saw it change. I saw her face brighten, and in her eyes, in her soul, in her heart, you could see she believed in herself again. She promised herself, once she decided to live, that she would do whatever she could to help anyone, ever again from feeling as she did. She explained about her blog, Losergurl . She talked about what it meant to #BeBrave and to #BeMoreThanABystander. It ended, not with her as a victim, but with her as a victor . The screen rose. The music started. Each time she sang a word, I sang it back to her, in my heart.

Ally walk onto the stage with a microphone in her hand, a song on her lips, and smile on her face. She sang with Colbie Calliet and BabyFace to the song they co-wrote, Try, and I have to admit. when they crowd went crazy when she walked on stage, I lost it. My heart broke again. This time, when my heart cracked open all the pain I had inside me from the time that my baby wanted to die flew out and it healed up. I watched Ally sing and reclaimed her joy. She was reborn. She took what was the worst time in her life, and decided to use it make a new life- a place where she would make a change.

Colbie Calliet, Babyface & Ally Del Monte – gorgeous #WeDayIllinois #BringOutTheGood A video posted by Amy Christiansen (@myillinoisylife) on Apr 30, 2015 at 8:51am PDT

Colbie Calliet, Babyface & Ally Del Monte – gorgeous #WeDayIllinois #BringOutTheGood

A video posted by Amy Christiansen (@myillinoisylife) on Apr 30, 2015 at 8:51am PDT

As the song ended and all those kids rose to a standing ovation, I couldn’t wait to get to get backstage to my girl, when it happened – when the young girl grabbed my hand. She and I both dissolved into tears again, and I held this young woman who I do not know, but I know . I know her soul, and I know the hard work she is doing to reclaim it. I know my daughter did what she started out to do.

Ally is so brave.

We Day may be a celebration of young people, but I guarantee you that each and every adult of one of the amazing kids on that stage was celebrating, too. I shared knowing looks with Imani’s Mom , Ezra’s Dad , Ashley’s Mom , and many more as we found kindred spirits of being the ones to stand beside the kids who want to change the world. All of our kids have found their way to a good place after fighting through hardships. In our case, depression and bullying didn’t just affect Ally, it affected our whole family. This was Ally’s triumph, yes, but it was also ALL our triumph. We ALL got through this.

We Day Chicago will be aired as a prime-time special on August 21, on ABC. You can see Ally, and many, many other inspiring young people who are determined to change the world, to to mention stars like Common, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, The Band Perry, Tyrese Gibson, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Colbie Caillat, Paul Rudd, Macklemore and a host of others.

You have to join in and watch. In a world when we hear so much about all the bad, it’s wonderful to celebrate those who are tying hard to make it better. We Day does that.

Upvote

Sue May 7, 2015 Thank you Wendy for letting us know about this amazing event that celebrates all that is good. Ally is a huge inspiration now to those who are and were bullied. I am speechless to come up with the right words. Can’t wait to see Ally onstage in August in the We Day special. You two look great in the photos. Reply

Thank you Wendy for letting us know about this amazing event that celebrates all that is good. Ally is a huge inspiration now to those who are and were bullied. I am speechless to come up with the right words. Can’t wait to see Ally onstage in August in the We Day special. You two look great in the photos.

Robin Masshole mommy May 7, 2015 That sounds like an amazing day. So much inspiration all in one place. Reply

That sounds like an amazing day. So much inspiration all in one place.

Bri May 7, 2015 Thank you for sharing your daughter’s story and letting others know who are bullied that life gets better. We Day is a great movement. Reply

Thank you for sharing your daughter’s story and letting others know who are bullied that life gets better. We Day is a great movement.

Lorane May 7, 2015 This is an amazing story. Ally is a strong girl without even knowing. I’m glad when the “victims” come out victorious … You go Ally .. you’ve found your purpose Reply

This is an amazing story. Ally is a strong girl without even knowing. I’m glad when the “victims” come out victorious … You go Ally .. you’ve found your purpose

ARod May 7, 2015 You are raising an amazing person. I’m so touched by her story as well as your family. Your giving a beautiful light to a dark scary situation. Thank you bravo!! Reply

You are raising an amazing person. I’m so touched by her story as well as your family. Your giving a beautiful light to a dark scary situation. Thank you bravo!!

Jeannette May 7, 2015 You should be one proud mama! You are raising your kiddo right and she will continue to shine light out of her dark time! Reply

You should be one proud mama! You are raising your kiddo right and she will continue to shine light out of her dark time!

LyndaS May 7, 2015 WOW! What an incredible story – I am so happy that it has a happy ending. Your daughter is an inspiration. I want to watch the special in August – I wish I could set my DVR this far out. Reply

WOW! What an incredible story – I am so happy that it has a happy ending. Your daughter is an inspiration. I want to watch the special in August – I wish I could set my DVR this far out.

Allison May 7, 2015 You should be one very proud Mama! What an amazing experience to be part of this and know that your daughter is part of the change. Reply

You should be one very proud Mama! What an amazing experience to be part of this and know that your daughter is part of the change.

Liz Mays May 7, 2015 She must have helped so many people going through similar things. This is such an awesome way to speak publicly about bullying. Reply

She must have helped so many people going through similar things. This is such an awesome way to speak publicly about bullying.

Tiaras & Tantrums May 7, 2015 this I bet was fantastic! Bullying is such a huge issue. I don’t remember having this much of a problem with bullies when I was growing up. Reply

this I bet was fantastic! Bullying is such a huge issue. I don’t remember having this much of a problem with bullies when I was growing up.

Crystal Green May 7, 2015 This is such a great event! I am sure it will help so many other teens. I can’t wait to watch this event on TV. PLEASE remind me as it gets closer to time. I don’t want to miss it. Reply

This is such a great event! I am sure it will help so many other teens. I can’t wait to watch this event on TV. PLEASE remind me as it gets closer to time. I don’t want to miss it.

Amanda Love May 7, 2015 I’m going to have to remember to tune in to watch it. Sounds like it was an amazing event. Reply

I’m going to have to remember to tune in to watch it. Sounds like it was an amazing event.

becca May 7, 2015 You should be one proud mama! You are raising your kid right and she will continue to be a beacon of light in dark time! Reply

You should be one proud mama! You are raising your kid right and she will continue to be a beacon of light in dark time!

Virginia May 7, 2015 What a great event. I definitely have to tune in! Reply

What a great event. I definitely have to tune in!

Mama to 5 BLessings May 7, 2015 Wow! This is amazing. What great role model for teenagers! Reply

Wow! This is amazing. What great role model for teenagers!

Paula @ Frosted Fingers May 7, 2015 What an amazing event! Your daughter is so amazingly brave. I live in the Chicago area and hadn’t heard about this. Wow! Reply

What an amazing event! Your daughter is so amazingly brave. I live in the Chicago area and hadn’t heard about this. Wow!

Sara P. (@SensiblySara) May 7, 2015 Ally IS so brave!! I am sure you already are, but BE PROUD, momma!! You are raising a great kid!! Reply

Ally IS so brave!! I am sure you already are, but BE PROUD, momma!! You are raising a great kid!!

Trisha May 7, 2015 Ally is so amazingly brave! I love that her story was shared on stage, this must’ve been an incredible experience for you both! I will definitely be looking out for We Day Chicago special in August! Reply

Ally is so amazingly brave! I love that her story was shared on stage, this must’ve been an incredible experience for you both! I will definitely be looking out for We Day Chicago special in August!

Krystal May 7, 2015 What a beautiful story! Congrats on the event and getting her story out there. I am so happy to hear your daughter was brave and is strong! Reply

What a beautiful story! Congrats on the event and getting her story out there. I am so happy to hear your daughter was brave and is strong!

Carol Bryant May 8, 2015 YAY for girl power and yay for empowering girls to stand strong and be who they are. Love this post. Reply

YAY for girl power and yay for empowering girls to stand strong and be who they are. Love this post.

Shaney Vijendranath May 8, 2015 What an awesome event! It must of been a lovely experience, thanks for sharing it with us. You should be proud! Reply

What an awesome event! It must of been a lovely experience, thanks for sharing it with us. You should be proud!

Jessica M May 8, 2015 This is an amazing story, your daughter is brave and very commendable. Keep on getting the word out. This is something I truly worry about for my daughters once they get to that age Reply

This is an amazing story, your daughter is brave and very commendable. Keep on getting the word out. This is something I truly worry about for my daughters once they get to that age

Michelle May 8, 2015 This had to be an awesome event to attend. Thanks so much for sharing Ally’s story. Reply

This had to be an awesome event to attend. Thanks so much for sharing Ally’s story.

Crystal May 8, 2015 What an amazing story. You must be so proud to be Ally’s mom. Reply

What an amazing story. You must be so proud to be Ally’s mom.

Danielle May 8, 2015 What an amazing story!! Super inspiring to others I’ll bet! And by the way, I love your blog design! Reply

What an amazing story!! Super inspiring to others I’ll bet! And by the way, I love your blog design!

Debi May 8, 2015 Wow what an amazing story. I hope it is an inspiration to all Reply

Wow what an amazing story. I hope it is an inspiration to all

Melinda@waitsover.com May 10, 2015 What an inspiration she is. You have to be so proud. Reply

What an inspiration she is. You have to be so proud.

lisa May 11, 2015 She is beautiful, inside and out!! What a brave young woman you have there! What an inspiration. Reply

She is beautiful, inside and out!! What a brave young woman you have there! What an inspiration.

Victoria May 14, 2015 This sounds like a great event. I wish I could have attended. Reply

This sounds like a great event. I wish I could have attended.

Censie May 16, 2015 Wow. What a powerful event. So many great things to remember. Reply

Wow. What a powerful event. So many great things to remember.

Not waiting - Living life fully as I fight bullying, get healthy, home school, & prep for the Zombie Apocalypse