A young schoolgirl has received an outpouring of support after being cruelly bullied at school when she lost her hair through leukaemia treatment. Meadow Ferns, 14, has faced so much bullying at school she does not want to attend full-time.
A handful of girls at Meadow’s school relentlessly tormented her, according to her mum Sarah. She said: “When she was diagnosed, the school had an assembly as there so many rumours – a couple of girls said ‘she deserves it and hope she dies’.
“One of them is still in Meadow’s classes – how awful is that, that she is still sat in a room with someone who has said such things to my little girl.
“How do you explain to your daughter there are people out there like that? There were occasions we would drive to the local shop and Meadow wouldn’t get out the car as people were staring.”
The cruel bullies tormented Meadow so much that her confidence has taken a huge hit. After losing her hair in clumps, wearing wigs is one of the only things that boosts her confidence.
Despite the bullying, Meadow has received an outpouring of support from people online. One person has said: “One day those bullies will look back and the guilt and shame they feel will be imense…you’re brave & beautiful Meadow and don’t let anyone make you doubt that”.
Another person said: “Why are people so nasty? Any form of bullying is disgusting.”
Someone else said: “Shocking poor girl hope and pray you are feeling better”. Another person said: “Meadow you are beautiful, them girls will get their karma don’t let them win you live your life beautiful girl xx”.
A number of other people simply condemned the bullies and said: “Bullies have no shame” and “Can’t stand bullies”.
BristolLive previously reported that Meadow, from Frenchay, received her leukaemia diagnosis in November 2023 after a persistent chest infection. Her mother Sarah Ferns, 49, recalled the moment they found out Meadow’s diagnosis.
She said: “The doctor said to ride out the chest infection, but Meadow came downstairs one night and said ‘Mum stop cooking I can’t stand that smell it is making me nauseous’. But I wasn’t cooking anything.
“I thought that is no chest infection and so the next day she had blood tests at midday – then I got a call at six o’clock that evening saying I had to bring her into hospital.” The diagnosis came after 24 hours in the hospital.”
Meadow’s treatment began on December 1, 2023 but doctors found a mass on her lungs which caused breathing difficulties and her heart and kidneys began to fail. While in hospital and undergoing surgery, Meadow suffered a torn spine which led to spinal fluid leaking into her body, putting her at risk of paralysis.
However, after months of finding wigs that felt comfortable and did not fall off, Sarah and Meadow found Intralace. Each comes with a price tag of £2,000 and they require adjustments every two weeks. A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the cost of the Intralace wigs for Meadow.
The bullying has not stopped, but the wigs have given Meadow a newfound confidence boost. She now attends school two to three times a week, depending on her energy. Sarah has said that her daughter is now “willing” to socialise.