120 Bikers Showed Up At A Teen’s Door After She Refused To Go To Her Prom
Prom night is arguably one of the biggest nights in a teen girl's life.
For one teenage girl, Shannon Purcifer, it was a night she will never forget, thanks to the 120 Bikers who showed up at her door.
Hospital Gowns Instead Of Prom Dresses For Shannon
Shannon Purcifer should have been nervous and excited like other 16-year-old girls looking forward to their prom.
Instead of spending time shopping for a dress or getting her nails and hair done, Purcifer had to deal with bullies and hospitals.
Purcifer Fought Illness And Bullies
In and out of hospitals with various ailments like celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis understandably would have soured dreams of a prom.
But it was dealing with constant bullying at school that curbed her enthusiasm.
Bullying Made Things Worse
For years Shannon dealt with being picked on and harassed by fellow students and classmates.
Free of sympathy from bullies, she endured mistreatment, which made her illnesses that much worse.
Shannon Had To Wear Her Illnesses Like A Badge
Ulcerative Colitis is an incurable bowel disease. The symptoms do not improve and worsen with time.
Shannon and her family decided to accept that this would stay with her for the rest of her life.
Fight For Survival In And Out Of The Hospital
It would be easy for anyone facing Shannon's plight with her various illnesses and the harassment at school to shut down.
That was not an option for her, thanks to the love and support of her family, friends, and boyfriend, who helped her stay positive.
Going To Prom Was Part Of The Plan Initially
Skipping the prom was not always Shannon's plan. She and her mother spent months shopping for a dress.
The final pick was a floor-length dress with lace detailing. The final bill was $600.
A Change Of Heart?
Shannon became less social and, eventually, withdrawn from her family and friends due to her troubles.
Just when her family was preparing to send her off to her prom, she came to them with a change of heart.
Prom Excitement Turned Into Tears Overnight
While her family was waiting anxiously for her to model her dress on prom night, she presented a much different image to them.
With fresh tears showering down her face, Shannon told her Mom she was not going to prom anymore.
"...the bullying got worse and worse."
Shannon said, "I didn't really want to go and feel nervous for the entire night."
She admitted she would not be able to handle being tormented on what potentially would be the best night of her life.
Friends Thought Shannon Deserved A Prom
As any good friend would, Shannon's friend Kerri Louise Kimber was tired of seeing the sadness and pain in her eyes.
Kimber started a GoFundMe page to raise funds and throw a prom for Shannon.
Go Fund Shannon
Kimber made sure invites went only to those who were close to Shannon. One hundred guests attended the makeshift prom.
Within days of starting the GoFundMe page, it ballooned from the target goal of $195 to a grand total of $650.
Special Delivery On Prom Night
Friends and family Shannon were also allowed to attend her unique prom, but it was the uninvited guests that caught her attention.
After she had spent the day getting her hair and nails done, Shannon was met by 120 bikers waiting to escort her to the party.
Celebrity Overnight
After seeing her story, which went viral, the motorcycle crew wanted very much to escort her to her prom.
Her mother proclaimed, "There's no better way to stand up to the bullies than to go out and live life to the fullest."
Her Prom Was Better Than She Expected
Shannon was overwhelmed by the gestures made by her friends and family, along with the bikers who randomly showed up to support and escort her.
The prom was "better than I could ever have dreamed.", she declared.
You Are Not Alone
High school is when teens learn to become adults and prepare for college.
Unfortunately for Shannon and many others, bullying dominated their time in school. Once her story came out and went viral, others began to surface.
Bullying Was Like An Unstoppable Force
No parent wants to see their child suffering. Parents like Shannon's are consumed with a feeling of helplessness.
Her mother went to the school for help, but according to her, "...I tried so hard to make it stop, but the school didn't help us."
Feeling Powerless
One of the first places a parent expects to get help for their child's issues at school is the institution itself.
Often parents feel powerless and express similar feelings to Shannon's Mom, who said, "There wasn't anything I could do but listen to her."
Others Stand With Shannon's Fight Against Bullying
Typically, high school is when the biggest issue for students is getting to classes or lunchtime.
Sadly, bullying in-person and online has increased substantially, making itself part of the experience too.
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