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Standing up to the bullies

We have never met Adam Jenyk and his wife, Chaelsie Adkins. They may never even read this opinion piece, seeing as how they live in Niles.

But we would like to thank them. For standing up against the trolls and the grossly ill informed flourishing throughout social media.

Our sister newspaper, The Warren Tribune Chronicle, reported that the couple stepped forward recently to help families shamed online for their unkempt yards and homes. Residents were called lazy and such.

A characteristic of social media trolls, bullies and cowards if that they often don’t know all the facts. They usually don’t know what they are talking about. But yet they continue to spew poison. And act like they do know it all when usually it’s none of their darn business. You may even know a few.

In this case, among those bullied were a disabled veteran, a stroke victim and a family caring for a special needs child. So, you will likely agree, keeping the lawn mowed probably isn’t a top priority for those folks. Others work long hours and don’t have the cash to pay for a lawn service. Or are getting older and are too ashamed to ask for help they can’t afford.

So in stepped Adam and Chaelsie, armed with yard tools and wheelbarrows full of good will. Volunteers joined that kind couple and their 9-year-old son in helping to clean up the yards of those who could not. The guess here is that none of the trolls showed up ready to pull weeds.

“To call someone lazy, without knowing their story is unreasonable. They say perception is reality, but in reality people have lives that are more complicated than that. Depression and mental illness can be just as debilitating as a physical ailment and it is a valid reason for why something might not get done,” Chaelsie said.

Another factor is that with escalating drug use, particularly heroin, grandparents are often raising grandkids. Sometimes neither the budget nor physical stamina allows for extensive yard work.

And, here’s an irony although those aware of the viciousness of cyber bullying shouldn’t be surprised: Adam and Chaelsie said when they volunteered to help out they became targets of a cyber bully online. Can you believe that?

“It was demoralizing,” she said.

The same man and his friends posting the original hateful posts — in retaliation to damage their reputation for speaking out — begin harassing them and accusing them of having a nefarious reason to offer their free services.

Chaelsie said even her young son understands why it is wrong to be a bully.

“Regardless of someone’s circumstances, we teach our son, you don’t judge people. You do the right thing and you stand up to bullies,” she said.

The saddest thing about the online bullying is it deterred some others from accepting the couple’s help. “They didn’t want to become his next victim,” Chaelsie said.

The work of Adam and Chaelsie has garnered widespread attention — the story picked up by national media outlets. The couple deserves it. Actions trump complaining.

Adam agrees.

“You could be making $10,000 a year or $200,000 a year, that doesn’t matter,” he told the Tribune. “Sometimes we all need some help and getting out there and actually doing something to help makes a lot more sense than complaining about it online,” he said.

Sure does, doesn’t it? If only the trolls out there would heed that. But don’t hold your breath because, you know, they are too busy shaming and bullying. All the while hiding behind screens. Of course.

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