Evan Struckman dressed as Tony Stark.Photo: Courtesy Jill Stahl Struckman
Recently, a 10-year-old boy from Missouri is taking his favorite superhero’s lesson to heart after getting bullied for his Halloween costume.
Jill Struckman tells PEOPLE her son Evan was “really, really excited” last Friday morning as he prepared to go to school dressed as Tony Stark for a classHalloweenparty.
“He thought he looked awesome,” she explains of Evan, who looked identical toRobert Downey Jr.’s character fromIron ManandThe Avengers, wearing a pinstriped vest, sunglasses, and even a goatee.
“20 minutes after he got on the bus, I got a phone call from school letting me know he was in the office and some kids had said mean things to him,” Jill recalls. “He wanted to be picked up and he was really, really upset.”
Evan Struckman posing like Tony Stark before school.Courtesy Jill Stahl Struckman
“I had never heard him that heartbroken over something someone had said about him before,” she says. “He’s the kid who will go to picture day in a tuxedo or business suit, and usually lets things roll right off his shoulders.”
After picking her son up from school, Jillopened up about the incident on Facebook, posting a teary photo of Evan, sans makeup. “Here’s what my little Tony Stark looks like now,” she wrote.
“We both have swollen eyes from crying and are on our way to try to find ice cream. Kids need to understand that WORDS hurt,” she added in the post, which went viral and has been shared over 258,000 times.
Evan Struckman after he was bullied at school.Courtesy Jill Stahl Struckman
The pair eventually made their way toStarbucks, where Jill says they chatted about what had happened and how Evan was feeling.
“He knew he looked great, he just let what they said get to him,” she says. “They told him that everyone would think it looked stupid and that weighed on him.”
“I just said, ‘You know you look awesome, so why are you letting their opinions hold you back? You’re gonna miss your party over their opinions? Maybe they’re just jealous!’ " Jill continues. “Finally, I said, ‘Do you want to go back?’ and he said, ‘Yes!’ "
Within an hour, Jill says her son’s spirts were lifted, he had his face makeup redone and was back at school.
Evan Struckman outside his school.Courtesy Jill Stahl Struckman
As she reflects on the experience, Jill says she has “never been more proud” of Evan for returning to school and refusing to let the bullies win.
After several of her posts went viral, Jill says people from around the world have been reaching out to share similar stories.
“Once it really took off, I apologized to him. It made me sick to my stomach because I didn’t know it would be received in that way,” she admits. “But he actually was comforting me the other day and said it was okay that I shared that picture because that shows people what it looks like whenever you get bullied.”
“Evan would love that,” Jill says. “But he’s mostly really happy that he’s making a difference and inspiring others to be brave… We’re all overwhelmed with the love and support.”
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Though she does not want people to donate money — “I think it’s amazing how sweet people are but Evan really doesn’t need it. If you want to donate please instead make a donation to a charity or just do a good deed,” shewrote in a Facebook post— Jill says they are open to receiving letters.
The mom of four also hopes other parents and children can learn from Evan’s story — and his inspiring resilience.
“Words are important. I almost didn’t write ‘bullying’ in the post because he wasn’t physically hurt, but it does hurt. Words hurt, they matter,” Jill says. “If you see it happening, stand up for the kid who’s getting teased.”
“We’ve all been there, that’s why this has gone viral. It resonates with everyone,” she adds. “It’s every mother’s worse fear, their kid getting hurt… but this has restored our faith in humanity. To see so much love has been so nice.”
Those interested in sending Evan a card can address it to: “Jill Struckman, PO Box 362, Cottleville, MO, 63338”.
source: people.com
