Announcing Cari (13) as November 2025 Friend Mail Recipient! 💝

jennifer2156
6 hours ago
3 min read

"Kind-hearted" girl with rare disorder pressured by bullies to eat expanding beads.

Cari's mom describes her 13-year-old as “full of life, pure and loving - a child who only wants to love and be loved." Cari was born with a very rare disorder called 2q37 chromosome deletion syndrome that causes learning and physical disabilities, and affects her memory. But, that doesn't keep her from her absolute love of reading - and writing! Cari often makes cards and love notes for others. 💕

Cari is a big fan of ballet and volleyball, but her condition prevents her from participating. These days she mostly plays inside to safeguard against injury - like the time she broke her wrist playing volleyball. The 8th Grader likes to draw and watch TV - especially anything with unicorns or mermaids! And playing with her "baby dolls" makes her happy. Most of all? She loves to sing!! As her mom says,"Singing is her heart."

A natural helper, Cari hopes to be a NICU nurse, cop and firefighter - all at once - when she grows up! 😁 💕

In 4th Grade, Cari's family moved to a new town in Texas. Unfortunately, being "new and different" attracted bullying from classmates. Her mom says that Cari "is too afraid to hurt someone's feelings to stand up for herself." The appearance-based verbal and cyber bullying became so heartless that her mom kept Cari's photo out of the 6th and 7th Grade yearbooks to prevent kids from using the image. She even attempted homeschooling in 6th Grade, but could not maintain it.

Cari's mom told a local ABC news reporter that one of the most traumatic things that’s been done to her daughter was in 4th Grade when bullies convinced her to eat orbeez. - beads that expand to the size of a marble when they get wet. If swallowed, the beads can expand inside of throats and intestines and cause blockages. Kids on the bus purposely convinced Cari the beads would "taste good" despite knowing they could hurt her. Thankfully, she was okay. Her mom explained that Cari "doesn't always see the world for what it is," but instead more often as a mirror of her own heart - "kind and pure."

The bullying in 8th Grade has decreased since the news stories were published, and Cari's new IEP requires her to be constantly monitored. However, it still occurs, and for instance, there are days when this loving, sweet girl comes home with glue or gum put in her hair.