It works as follows: every generation prides itself on being the best that has ever existed. Today’s younger generation thinks they have what it takes to take over the world because of the technology in our hands. Everything was more complicated a few decades ago. Now they’re dealing with everything on a silver plate. We might know more about technology than before, but that doesn’t mean we’re better than they are. Children have lost their manners nowadays. There are things that every member of society should do now, that’s just the way it is, and yet there are some youngsters who refuse to follow the rules. It’s a good thing that one person has decided to teach this kid a lesson.
Someone Should Teach Him A Lesson
Going to the subway means fighting for your opportunity to sit down. Especially if you’ve got a long ride ahead of you. Nevertheless, we, as regular people, only take one seat, so there is as much room as possible for the others. Well, a teenager thought he had the right to take three seats just for himself, but one person would not tolerate him in the same wagon.
Someone Should Teach Him A Lesson
Insensitive Passengers
Contrary to popular belief, most people don’t own a car and can use it to work. The rest of the population continues to make highly practical use of public transit. Even so, not everyone you encounter would be kind.
Insensitive Passengers
An Eye For An Eye
People may get annoyed more quickly whenever they enter the subway, bus, or other forms of public transit. Trains, buses, and subways have become a competition of who steps on who, so our job is to show you how unsympathetic and disrespectful people can be.
An Eye For An Eye
Rudeness 101
We have experienced something happening while we are on a bus or train many occasions that made us feel uneasy. But then again, we’re in public space, so it makes sense that not everyone will behave the same way you do.
Rudeness 101
Disrespectful
Most commuters are extremely disrespectful of others and choose to put their bags in other available spaces, even if that means that other passengers will not be able to sit down. Some people even make their music so loud that all the passengers can hear it.
Disrespectful
Selfish Passengers
Things are much worse than putting your bags on an empty seat, like putting your legs on them! And if someone kindly asks you to move your legs so that they can sit down and say no, that’s just unacceptable, disrespectful, and it shouldn’t be condoned!
Selfish Passengers
Stay Peaceful
If you are in an awkward situation when something unfair happens, it is tough to stay cool. Some people know how to deal with these situations peacefully, and others just get caught in the moment and flip out.
Stay Peaceful
Looking For Trouble
No matter what approach you take, one can never know how the other person would react to your remark. They might be able to fight back violently and defensively. Would it be worth picking fights just because of a sit?
Looking For Trouble
A Viral Tweet Post
Either way, here’s a fascinating story that got viral right away! The user gained more than 130,000 likes in less than 24 hours after posting the tweet! And it’s not just that, the post also received tons of comments and retweets.
A Viral Tweet Post
Faith In Humanity
What’s interesting is that we can use social media to influence people. A lot of comments said things like “This has made my day,” “As a new yorker this gives me life,” “My faith in humanity has been restored,” and “It’s the only way children will learn!” which makes us wonder what the tweet said that touched so many people?
Faith In Humanity
Capturing Unforgettable Moments
It was this young woman named Isabel Kim, who witnessed the moment in real life and posted it on her account on Twitter. Her profile has been very active since then, and she is known for capturing and sharing good moments for her followers.
Capturing Unforgettable Moments
Just An Average Day
That’s when she decided to take the subway to work. It seemed like it was going to be just like any other normal day. However, something unusual caught her eye when she was on the subway. That’s when she started taking pictures to document what was happening.
Just An Average Day
Just An Average Day
Just like anyone on that subway, she was on her way to work that day when she saw something bizarre and unpleasant happening right in from her. She started to take pictures, to have evidence for this reason.
Just An Average Day
He Has Another Plan
First of all, some trains do not have separate seats for those who are not familiar with the subway, but there are long benches where more than one person can sit. So, now, you are ready to hear about Isabel’s story.
He Has Another Plan
A Young, Annoying Boy
The situation mentioned above was that there were benches in the wagon that could fit at least three people. One kid, however, had something different in mind and decided to be disrespectful to the other passengers.
A Young, Annoying Boy
Strange Passenger
There is always one person in every public transportation, commonly known as the “lay downer,” what does he do? Use more than one seat to be pretty comfortable and lay down just like that. The young boy was lying down on the mother’s lap in this story while using the entire bench at the same time.
Strange Passenger
Too Self-Absorbed
The kid was so focused on playing on his phone that he didn’t realize there were people around him who weren’t able to sit because he was taking more than one spot on the train.
Too Self Absorbed
Ignoring People’s Request
Every individual should understand that for the sake of the proper functioning of society, should give up their seat for the senior citizens, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and many others. That’s just the way it is.
Ignoring People’s Request
Parenting Skills Gone Wrong
Even after three other people asked the kid if they could sit on one of the two spaces his legs were occupying, he dismissed them cooly. He simply kept on playing on his mobile device. What made the entire situation worse was the fact that his mother was right there, watching the whole thing unfold, and didn’t do a thing about it.
Parenting Skills Gone Wrong
Parenting Skills Gone Wrong
More than one person asked the kid if he could take his feet out of the bench so they could sit there, and yet the kid kept ignoring him and went back to his phone. What’s worse, his mother witnessed the whole situation, and she didn’t do anything!
Parenting Skills Gone Wrong
The Mother Refused As Well
She didn’t just stay silent; she also ignored the request of everyone there and repeatedly said, “no.” You know what they say, “like a mother, like a son.” She was exactly like her son, hypnotized by her phone. People couldn’t pay much attention to what was happening.
The Mother Refused As Well
They Got Frustrated
The rest of the passengers lost their patience and became more and more upset as time passed until finally, the kid felt the tension in the air. The tension for which he was responsible. So he was trying to squeeze a little so that someone could sit down and not get them upset.
They Got Frustrated
Unsung Hero
His legs still took up two additional spaces, even if his intention was “good”. People were starting to give up and doing nothing about it. That’s until one passenger came out of the blue and saved the day!
Unsung Hero
Mysterious Man
Shortly after, while he continued to focus on his phone, a mysterious man appeared on the scene and stared at the disrespectful kid. Wearing sunglasses and a hairstyle similar to Elton John’s, this man was dressed all in black. And a lot of people thought he was the same Elton John
Mysterious Man
Uncover
It goes without saying that the mysterious man was not Elton John, but it didn’t make people less interested in this fascinating character. What made him so popular in the subway?
Elton John Look A Like
The Elton John Twin, as mysterious as he was, stood like the rest of the passengers waiting for the kid to move his legs so that more people could sit down. But the kid kept ignoring, which made this person even angrier.
Elton John Look A Like
Taking Matters Into His Own Hands
The man was fed up with the rude attitude of the child, so he decided to do something about it and take the matter into his own hands. The child would forever remember what the man did.
Taking Matters Into His Own Hands
Moment Of Bravery
Some might call it bravery, and others might call it the opposite. But the man has decided to sit on the kid’s legs! In all fairness, he had asked him to move them on several occasions. But eventually, the patience of the man wore off, and he did what he did. He also had the right to sit there. After that, the kid decided to step away from the man.
Moment Of Bravery
A Truly Remarkable Moment
Fortunately for us, Isabel Kim was there to capture every single moment of what seemed like a very long subway ride. Isabel captured the moment when the man sat on the child’s legs, who, in turn, was shocked and opened his mouth. Some may say it was the first time that he didn’t get away with his behavior
A Truly Remarkable Moment
He Has The Rights
The mysterious man had the right to sit on the bench, even if it meant sitting on the kid’s legs. And besides, he was going to teach him a lesson because the child named Joe was not taught how to behave. When his mother realized what was happening, it was already too late.
He Has The Rights
Blocking Out The Seats
Now, what’s crazy is that his mother didn’t realize that the man was sitting on the top of his kid’s legs, and when Joe’s legs were finally set free, his mother noticed that they missed their stop. And for that reason, she began blaming her son.
Blocking Out The Seats
Definitely A Crazy Moment
She was the only person to blame for what had happened. She was the one who had been absorbed by her phone to even notice the man sitting on her son’s legs. Even so, every single moment was recorded by our witness, Isabel.
Definitely A Crazy Moment
The Mother Made A Scene
Joe’s mother decided to create a scene that all the other passengers found rather uncomfortable. The son not only learned his lesson, but his mother also began to scream at him for missing the bus stop and decided to get to the next one.
The Mother Made A Scene
He Cursed At The Man
But the story does not yet end here. The kid went to tell him what seemed like something unpleasant shortly before they got out of the wagon: he started cursing at the stranger and telling him horrible things.
He Cursed At The Man
He’s On The Shirt
The story became so popular that some people even made t-shirts out of it! Whoever made this t-shirt captured Joe’s face in the exact moment when the Elton John’s look-alike sat on his legs.
He’s On The Shirt
Subway Folklore
That story is going to be remembered for a long time. After reading it, the names of Joe and the stranger will hit a chord every time you step on the subway! There is always something new that you can learn.
Screenshot 77
Subway Incident
The outcome of this event is as follows: while some people supported the man who was sitting on the child’s legs, others were not so sure of it and did not agree 100% with what had happened and with those who supported it.
Subway Incident
Subway Etiquette
Some people began to wonder whether what the man was doing was legal or whether it should be considered an assault as the situation got out of control. Despite this, most people supported the man’s decision to teach the child a lesson. Honestly, this story is pretty good, but you’d be flipping out when you get to the next one!
Subway Folklore
He’s Just A Kid
As the famous saying goes, “pulling someone down will never help you reach the top”. Bullying had increased plenty all over the world. It is pretty much a global predicament by this point and it needs to be addressed quickly. Most of the reasons behind bullying tend to stem from personal issues within the offender. All the same, that doesn’t excuse bullying or give anyone the right to bully anyone else. Just take a look at this dad who refuses to let his son go through any more suffering. It’s thanks to him and his coat that things turned around for his kid…
He’s Just A Kid
He Was Bullied
Joey Mason was the boy who fell victim to bullying. He often liked hanging out at the park and playing ball there. Joey’s just one of the many victims of bullying at his school. However, he found a lot of happiness and comfort when he was playing in the park. Still, it seems that no matter what he was doing, he would get bullied anytime anyplace. On this particular day, a group of teenagers happened to stop at the park where he usually played. It’s pretty unfortunate to know that most people don’t know how to deal with bullying. However, something needed to be done.
He Was Bullied
A Happy Day Turned Into Nightmare
Joey Mason was in the fourth grade when the bullying started, although it was rather mild. Thanks to this, he chose to play with his dog and cat rather than people in his class or other kids. He lives in a residential community in Toronto, Canada, and near his house, there was a beautiful park where the kids enjoyed playing. He used to visit the park rather frequently after school to play with his ball. That is, until one time after school, he went to his favorite outdoor park which turned out to be somewhat of a nightmare for him. He could see that the older boys in the park that were up to no good.
A Happy Day Turned Into Nightmare
I Am A Victim of Bullying
Joey thought one of the best ways to express how he had been feeling about bullying was to take to social media. He posted, “My name is Joey and I’m 10 years old. I’m a victim of bullying. Please, stop bullying.” His message drew the attention of a lot of internet users. A lot of people who saw his message, however, didn’t take note of the person that mattered the most. His father was completely oblivious to what was happening in Joey’s life and the fact that he had taken to social media.
I Am A Victim of Bullying
He Felt Uneasy And Alarmed
Normally, parents wish the best for their children, it’s only natural for a mother or father to worry when their child isn’t feeling well. Joey’s father was just like any other parent out there. Immediately, he saw his son wasn’t happy each day and was alarmed by it. He made the decision to investigate what was happening in Joey’s life is to take action. He first tried to talk to his son. However, Joey refused to give him the answers that he was looking for.
He Felt Uneasy And Alarmed
Emotionally Despair
Slowly, Joey’s father started to see the small differences in his son from the day that he had switched schools. He knew that his son started turning into an emotional mess from the moment that he switched. He couldn’t quite put a finger on what was troubling him. However, he did know that he would soon figure it out. He thought that it might have been the new school environment or maybe it was the teachers or perhaps the other students that were the cause of the drastic change.
Emotionally Despair
Something’s Not Right
Every day that his son came home from school, Joey’s father would see that his son came back crying. This was clearly a sign that something was wrong. He didn’t have enough evidence that his son is getting bullied. The father decided he had to get to the bottom of the problem and once he did find out everything he couldn’t believe what was happening. He knew that he had to do something for his son and that action needed to be taken.
Something’s Not Right
He Came Up With The Best Plan
The father was worried sick about his son and he really didn’t want him to continue being sad as time passed on. It was really painful for him to see how upset his son was. Eventually, he decided that he would immediately do something about it. However, he wasn’t exactly sure what that would be. He had to come up with an action plan and follow through with it. Still, it did take him some time to put this plan into motion.
He Came Up With The Best Plan
What Was The Cause Of Bullying?
After thinking it through for many hours on end, Joey’s father knew he had a plan. It wasn’t long after that he started figuring out that Joey was being bullied by kids who were in his class. However, he couldn’t help but wonder whether his son’s teacher was involved as well. Their family home life was going well so he was certain that the problem wasn’t at home. He hadn’t figured out the truth, but he wasn’t sure how he would get it out of Joey. So, part of his plan was to secretly follow his son to the park when school ended. That’s when he saw the light…
What Was The Cause Of Bullying?
His World Turned Upside Down
It was upsetting to see that the place Joey enjoyed the most in the world was becoming the worst place. It no longer made him feel safe and secure. This was all thanks to the bullies in question. Joey had already started playing with his ball when those teenagers came over to him. However, they were unaware that somebody else was out there watching them.
He’s The Target
What are those teenagers meant to do we aren’t sure? But they soon targeted Joey. This went on for several weeks and it seems like whenever Joey went to the park, the boys were there. Thankfully, Joey was strong and courageous so he tried his best to just ignore all the name-calling. Still, the group of teenagers didn’t seem to give up and in fact, they upped their bullying game.
He’s The Target
Joey Was In Trouble
Joey was a harmless boy and never caused trouble to anybody. Thanks to this, he might have been seen as a good target for those teenagers. People around him seemed to think that everything was fine. However, little did they know that there would be a huge turn of events very soon. Soon enough, Joey was going to be in a lot of trouble and that uproar started to attract the attention of everybody in said Park.
Joey Was In Trouble
Someone’s Watching
Even though Joey was brave enough to ignore all the name-calling, he wasn’t confident enough to defend himself at school. The other kids at school who were aware of his bullying weren’t brave enough to speak up for him. Most of the teachers thought that the kids were simply fooling around. Aside from the fact that he was being bullied at school, the kids were pushing the boundaries and started tormenting him in the park too. Thankfully, somebody else at the park was watching everything that was happening. Hopefully, whoever the person was would soon step in to help Joey out of this mess.
Someone’s Watching
It Escalated Quickly
The teenagers thought it was really funny that they stole Joey’s ball with no intention of ever giving it back. Things were starting to get intense very quickly and still no one offered to come to Joey’s rescue. For the outsiders looking in, it seemed like things were normal since the kids were just playing with each other. However, things were a lot worse than this. The teenagers had an ulterior motive.
It Escalated Quickly
It’s Not Getting Any Good
One of the teens in the group yelled, “Hey kid, a nice ball you got there. Can I see it?” Before Joey could respond, the teen snatched his ball away from him. Joey tried fighting back while yelling “It’s mine!” Still, the teenager kept on going and said, “Come on, just give it to me, man. It’s just a ball.” This whole time, none of them knew they were being watched. Who was it that was lurking nearby?
It’s Not Getting Any Good
It’s Time To Step Up
The man who happened to be watching stayed hidden from the kids’ view. Meanwhile, the tormenting only got worse and worse. The older teenager kicked the ball away from Joey, to the other side of the park. At that moment, the man decided that enough was enough. It was time for him to interfere. The cruel teens didn’t have a clue that the man just so happened to be Joey’s father.
It’s Time To Step Up
A Man Approached The Boys
As Joey’s father rushed over, the teens started looking wary. In a harsh tone, he demanded to know what was going on. It was clear that the teens were shocked. They were speechless and didn’t know how to react to what was going on. Moments later, the boys gathered some courage and decided to face Joey’s father. Little did they know, he had something up his sleeve that they were completely unaware of.
A Man Approached The Boys
“Just Playing Ball, Sir”
The boys simply pretended that nothing was going on. They responded innocently when asked and said they were playing ball. By answering this, they hoped that the man would leave them alone. However, the man didn’t believe a word that came out of their mouth. He’d seen more than enough to know what was going on in that park. He knew full well that they weren’t simply playing ball.
“Just Playing Ball, Sir”
Another Lesson To Learn
The following story we are about to tell you is about a teacher that thought a lesson to a rude man that made a rude comment about his daughter. This story will have you in tears and make you understand that things are not always as one thinks they are. Life is full of surprises, and we all need to learn something every day. Today you will learn about this story and a brave father and his strong daughter.
Another Lesson To Learn
January 2, 2013
Our story turns around the event that would change forever the life of Brent Gathering and his family. Brent, that was born in Nebraska would not only teach that ignorant and rude man a lesson but also he would teach us all a lesson. The sad story begins on January 2, 2013, the day after which nothing would ever be the same. The day that the battle began.
The Day
Learning The Sad News
On January 2, 2013, Brent and his family would learn that their 1-year old daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with brain cancer. After learning the news they all had to take a day off to process what was happening. The next day, Brent returned to his job (marketing teacher) and told his class about his daughter. “It was one of the more emotional days of my life”
Learning The Sad News
Seeking Support
After telling his class about Emma, one of his students said: “Don’t worry, Mr. Gehring. She’s Emma Strong! She’ll be fine.” These words touched him and gave him hope. Eventually, he decided that “Emma Strong” would be the name of his campaign to help raise money not only for her daughter but also for other children with brain cancer.
Seeking Support
“Emma Strong”
Just as the name of her campaign suggests, Emma has proven over the years how strong and how brave she is. She has gone through multiple chemotherapy sessions, scans, shunts, and surgeries and hasn’t given up. She has inspired. She has inspired not only her parents and her siblings but everyone that has learned about her story and the obstacles she has overcome ever since.
Emma Strong
Some People Don’t Understand
Not everybody knew about Emma’s situation so when they would see them on the street they would wonder why she behaves the way she does and why do her parents talk to her and treat her like that. So they would stare at the family just wondering, not with cruelty but just curiosity that stems from ignorance. But one day, Brent decided to teach a lesson to a rude man for the rude comment he made about his daughter.
Some People Don’t Understand
Going Viral
After an event that happened just when Brent, her wife, and her daughter Emma were living a restaurant. A very rude and ignorant man remarked to them and rather than screaming at him for the terrible thing he said, Brent decided to teach him a lesson. He posted his story on Emma Strong Facebook page and it immediately went viral.
Going Viral
The Incident
Brent is not originally from Boston, but he considers it as a second home since he has to bring his daughter for treatment pretty often. The incident occurred right outside of Union Oyster House in Boston, just as Brent and his daughter were leaving a restaurant after enjoying a meal together. This day the doctors had told Brent that Emma would soon begin her seventh round of chemotherapy.
The Incident
The Comment
Brent and his daughter Emma were on their way back to the car. Brent was carrying his daughter since she couldn’t walk without a walker. As they were walking towards the car, a man told him: “Make her walk. That’s what is wrong with kids today.” Brent asks him if he was talking to him and when he said yes, he went to confront this stranger that had said something rude and cold about Emma.
The Comment
Holding Himself
After hearing that comment, Brent headed to confront this stranger. Naturally, it was very hard to keep his cool and not start screaming at him. But he stayed calm and told him” “I’m not going to lie to you and say that I didn’t go across the street with other intentions but, as you get into the moment and as I’m holding my daughter in my arms, you just hope you’re going to make the right choice,”
Holding Himself
Telling Him The Story
He decided to tell the man the story, and once he did, the stranger realized that he had messed up and that he shouldn’t have made that comment. “My daughter has been carrying my faith and my strength for the past 5 years since she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She can’t walk but I am happy to carry her because of all the amazing things she has taught me through the years. So I would advise you not to address my daughter in any way other than respectful.”
Telling Him The Story
His Reaction
Once Brent told the stranger the story of Emma Brent said: “It wasn’t a real long encounter, he talked about [a relative of his] whose name was Emma before she passed away and how she had some kind of cancer … he told the story and he talked about the importance of religion and faith.” Once their short encounter was over, both of them were crying. They did not become friends but the sure learned about one another.
His Reaction
Going Viral
After that incident, Brent got lost on his thoughts and decided that he could not keep for himself what had happened. He decided to share his story on Facebook, and it received more than 4000 reactions and 1000 shares. Aside from this, his story made it to Boston’s local news station, and Brent thought that the stranger would come forward but he did not.
Screenshot 161
Educating Others
Brent decided to educate people about his daughter and brain cancer in general. Her daughter has been battling pilomyxoid astrocytoma, a form of childhood brain cancer since she was diagnosed at seven months old. However, her father decided to not focus on the negativity but rather on the positive impact that he’s had on children and all of the thoughtful things others have done for him.
Educating Others
Staying Positive
“There’s so much negative out in the news … but I think, in the last year, the generosity and the kindness that Emma and our family have been surrounded by I could fill a newspaper with,” Brent said. And to show this with examples, Emma Strong’s annual golf fundraiser made over $36000 which was so far the biggest amount. Another example is one prayer that one of the people that learned the story sent to Brent’s email.
Staying Positive
Giving Too
Brent has shown how grateful he is for all the support and the financial help he has received. But he also made it clear that he would donate $75000 to The University of Nebraska Medical Center. Why? Because they are about to open a brain tumor clinic and one of the main goals for Emma String is not only to find a cure and raise money but also to educate people about the disease.
Giving Too
Learning From Others
Brent had little idea about all the different types of cancer there is. He only began to learn about it once his daughter was diagnosed. He said it himself: “Before Emma was diagnosed, I didn’t know very many kids that had brain tumors and now I have five kids’ names that I wear on my wrist and we’ve spent countless hours sitting in oncology rooms watching kids [receive treatment].”
Learning From Others
Progress
The seventh round of chemotherapy for Emma was supposed to start back then, in 2018, when the story went viral and the incident occurred. However, her parents and the doctors decided to move the starting date a little bit so that she could start school like the rest of the kids! She started school on August 14 and started chemotherapy on the 24.
Progress
Emma Today
A few months ago Emma had an MRI and MRA to check the tumor growth and blood flow in her brain. The reason why they did this is that less than a year ago, Emma had several episodes in which she seemed disoriented. She has been on steroids ever since and while the tumor didn’t grow greatly, the blood flow decreased probably because of the episodes. However, her parents and doctors are still positive.
Emma Today
Her 8th Birthday
Emmas’ 8th birthday was a few months ago. Besides the episodes that she had, her parents are still positive that her daughter is still improving and working hard. She has regained several skills since then and now they can play together, laugh, smile, and spend quality time together. Her brothers see her as a source of inspiration and the whole world does as well. We only wish the best for Emma and we send ger all the strength so that she can fully recover soon!
Her 8th Birthday