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Cyber Bullying – By Amber Tingle

27 Jan

Today we have another guest post about Cyber Bullying. This is from a young person in Kentucky named Amber Tingle that took some of her time to write in to us about her feelings on the topic of Cyber Bullying. We couldn’t me more appreciative to Amber for writing us this great essay, and we are proud to help give her a voice on the subject that she is passionate about.

Cyber Bullying

By: Amber Tingle

There is physical bullying and emotional bullying, but the one type of bullying that most people don’t take that much mind to. Cyber bullying is used a lot more than people think. With all the ways we have to talk to each other cyber bullying has become a world renowned thing. We have texting, facebook, twitter, my space, and youtube to help us along with cyber bullying.

One of my very best friends in 2010 was bullied on facebook by all our other friends. Along with that they also physically bullied her and me because I stuck up for her. When my best friends sister, who was a cop came to school one day to pick her up, she wore her uniform to scare them and ever since then they’ve backed off. I’m still good friends with all of these people but I watch my back.

Like physical and emotional bullying cyber bullying hurts people; just as much and sometimes even more. With facebook it can be very hard and when someone posts something it leaves the comment opened to others who just like to hurt others and gives them the chance to add on to it That person afterwards, feels unloved and alone, they don’t know what to do and sometimes suicide is their only way to get rid of those things that are going through their head.

When my friends come up to me and talk about what people have said about them I sit there and listen to them. I help them through it when others won’t. One friend in particular is bullied more than any of my other friends, by his parents even. He’s bisexual, and I’ve noticed that bisexuals, lesbians, and gays get bullied more than other people. I’m tired of just standing by and letting them be bullied.

The National Crime Prevention Council says that almost half of all American teens are cyber bullied.

42% of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once.

35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five had had it happen more than once.

21% of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails or other messages.

58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once.

58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

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Posted in Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Guest Posts, Young People

 

Running Successful Classroom Meetings – A Workshop by Soul Shoppe

06 Jan

Running Successful Classroom Meetings – Eventbrite.

Classrooms Everybody Loves

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2617472932

Wondering how to create a better community in your classroom?
Want to make your life easier?
Do you wish your students took more responsibility?

Learn how to run an effective classroom meeting!

Simple structured time for students to learn, navigate, work together and take
responsibility for their class community.  By following our model, these safe,
productive and successful meetings teach students the importance of
collaboratively designing their class.

Join us from 9am -12:30pm on February 3rd!

In this workshop you will:
• Learn the 10-part structure for facilitating meetings
• Practice and master the flow for ease
• Gain tips for resolving any issue/conflict that arise in class
• Understand that by letting go you actually gain more
• Discover the power of students designing their classroom culture
• Receive the complete and easy to follow manual and poster

Workshop facilitated by Soul Shoppe Co-Founder Joseph Savage

Snacks and classroom meeting curriculum materials included in registration

Click Here To Register For This Workshop

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ReBlog: Autistic Man Skydives for Anti-Bullying in Taylor Swift Video

05 Jan

Autistic Man Skydives for Anti-Bullying in Taylor Swift Video.

Click for Original

Jesse A. Saperstein in mid-flight: "Someday Has To Be Today!!"

 

Pleasant Valley, NY (PRWEB) January 05, 2012

Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012, a new YouTube video created by author and autism advocate Jesse A. Saperstein, seeks to end abuse in the most daring way imaginable. Hauntingly powerful, it features the vocal talents of Taylor Swift.

Movie stars and even President Barack Obama have opened their hearts about childhood anguish as well as our need to halt the epidemic of suicides destroying too many lives. Statistically, a child is 98,000 times safer skydiving from 14,000 feet above the face of the earth than going to school.

This eye-opening statistic represents the mission of Jesse A. Saperstein, who has made a commitment to fight bullying in the most bizarre and exciting way possible. Jesse’s crusade for the New Year is captured in his YouTube video, “Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012,” and can be accessed by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmLuWBha8Qw.

“Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012” is the first video to feature an extreme sport and children with autism opening up about their painful experiences. Saperstein suffers from Asperger’s syndrome (a mild form of autism) and is the author of Atypical: Life with Asperger’s in 20 1/3 Chapters. Atypical was published by Penguin Group in April 2010 and has earned praise from high-profile individuals such as Sigourney Weaver and Dr. Temple Grandin. His previous anti-bullying video, “Someday Has to Be Today,” is also a much-viewed staple on YouTube.

On Tuesday, August 9th, 2011, Saperstein performed his first skydiving jump and rallied the entire community in an effort to show what can happen when people with challenges have the right opportunities and enough people to believe in their talents. Dr. Grandin, the subject of an HBO Golden Globe-winning movie starring Claire Danes, made a special appearance in his new video that also features the musical talents of Taylor Swift and the 1980s band, Boy Meets Girl. Saperstein’s anti-bullying project was sponsored with a grant from Anderson Foundation for Autism in association with Anderson Center for Autism, which is located in Staatsburg, NY.

For more information, please visit http://www.jessesaperstein.com/.
Media Contact: Victor Gulotta, Gulotta Communications, Inc., 617-630-9286, http://www.booktours.com, victor(at)booktours(dot)com

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Children’s CD “All About Bullies, Big and Small” Receives Grammy Nomination for 2011

26 Dec
CD Cover

All About Bullies, Big and Small - CD Cover

2012 GRAMMY Nominated Children’s CD “All About Bullies…Big and Small”

100% Non-Profit Children’s CD Benefiting The National Center for Bullying Prevention

 

WARMINSTER, Dec. 1, 2011 – A team of five producers from Philadelphia, PA were honored last night (for the second year in a row) with a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Children’s Album. The team edged out of over 125 other children’s albums, as the nominees were narrowed down to just five. The album entitled “All About Bullies…Big and Small” is a 37 track compilation CD featuring national and international recording artists, contributing poems, spoken word and a variety of songs.

 

“This CD is one-of-a-kind because not only does it give advice to those children that are beingbullied, but it gives advice to the bully, even going so far as to helping to find the root cause of bullying, yet in a fun and positive way.”

This CD was done on a fully volunteer basis and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of
the CD go to the National Center for Bullying Prevention (PACER -
pacerkidsagainstbullying.org ). This is a nonprofit organization which assists schools in
drawing awareness to the bullying epidemic, while helping children cope with the stresses of
being victimized.

This is the second Grammy Nominated CD to come out in as many years, produced
by Warminster’s own East Coast Recording Company and Cool Beans Music.  The volunteer
team of producers consists of Steve Pullara, Jim Cravero, Pat Robinson, Kevin Mackie and
Gloria Domina.  The CD’s roster of artists run the gamut from members of Bruce Springsteen’s
E-Street Band, to a member of Philadelphia’s own Hooters, to international recording artists,
and coming full circle rounding it out with several local Philadelphia radio personalities.

Some of these artists featured on this CD are: Steve Van Zandt, Eric Bazilian, Heidi Swedberg, Peter
Alsop, Blue October, May Pang, Vini MADDOG Lopez, Keith Grimwood, Barry Louis Polisar,
Frances England, Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band, Marla Lewis, John Flynn, Sugar
Free Allstars & Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Debbie and Friends, The Battersby Duo, Oran Etkin,
Eric Ode, Judy Pancoast, Dave Kinnoin, Helen Bruner & Terry Jones, Giorgio Onorato Aquilani,
Jonathan Sprout, Pat Robinson, Ken Cowle, Les Julian, Bill Pere, Miss Amy, Bob Miles, Sunny
Sauceda, Whitney Peyton with Only Human, Grover Silcox, Debbi Calton, Jim Cravero, Cyndy
Drue, Michael Brant DeMaria, Nancy Schimmel, Skip Denenberg, Paula Lizzi and many, many
more…

For full tracks to sample and reviews, please visit: www.allaboutbulliesbigandsmall.com
100% of the profits from the sale of this CD will be donated to:  pacerkidsagainstbullying.org
The Producer Team consists of Steve Pullara, Jim Cravero, Pat Robinson, Kevin Mackie and
Gloria Domina

For production information go to: www.coolbeansmusic.com  and  www.ecrstudio.com
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All About Bullies, Big and Small

All About Bullies, Big and Small

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Soul Shoppe Interns SPEAK UP! Robert Lord

19 Dec

I’m a Junior at the Urban School of San Francisco.  I’ve loved computers since I was 7 years old, and I’m very much a computer geek and nerd.  I live in the East Bay, in Piedmont, so Soul Shoppe is somewhat near my house.  In school, I’m studying a number of subjects, including Infinity, Civil War, and Physics.

When I went out to look for a internship opportunity, one of my classmates, Maya Herbsman, recommended that I check out Soul Shoppe, both because it was nearby my house, and also because she said the people that worked there were really friendly.  When I looked at their website, I was surprised to find that their methods and mindset seemed to be quite similar to what were used in my Elementary School.

I went to a school in Berkeley that, throughout first through sixth grade, promoted techniques and values such as a student peacemaker and inclusion.  I feel that it is these things that have let me grow up to be the individual that I am.  At a school that did not promote these techniques, I probably would have ended up being that kid that sat in the corner of the room for being a “nerd”.

At Soul Shoppe, I look forward to being a part of preventing bullying at other schools, and bringing a part of what helped me become who I am to other kids who need it, so that they can become the people they want to be.

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Against “Anti-Bullying,” for Positive Change

17 Nov

This is a post reblogged from Orléans Star. You can read the original post here:

http://www.orleansstar.ca/News/Local/2011-11-17/article-2807889/Against-anti-bullying,-for-positive-change/1

 

This is exactly the kind of message that Soul Shoppe has been trying to help others adopt throughout our ten years in the Bullying Prevention world. It’s really great to see kids starting to pick up on some of the negative language out there, and be the difference they want to see by rejecting this language outright and proposing their own positive language instead.

“Go Bullying Prevention Advocates Everywhere!!”

–from Soul Shoppe, with love :)

 

Published on November 17, 2011

By Catherine Kitts

Anti-bullying: it’s become a phrase we’re all accustomed to seeing in the news almost everyday. With more and more

Alexander Cavaliere and Samantha Lehman stand beneath a banner signed by the school, accepting Rachel's Challenge. (Photo: Catherine Kitts)

teens taking their own lives after being bullied and a growing movement behind students to speak out, every school is attempting to tackle the bullying issue. In fact, Nov, 13 -19 represents Anti-bullying Awareness Week in Ottawa.

But, the students at St. Peter’s High School have gotten creative with delivering their message. Samantha Lehman and Alexander Cavaliere are among the driving force of student-led change at the Orléans high school. They say, it’s all about being positive.

“We don’t like using the term ‘anti-bullying’, we don’t want to be anti anything,” said Lehman. “Everything we do is positive.”

Lehamn approached teacher, Sylvie Laconi, last year to express frustration about how adults talk about ways to stop bullying but nobody ever asks the students.

Laconi’s response was to create a group, which she agreed to supervise. “I became really interested in the idea of fighting it by empowering students.”

Lehman, along with friend, Cavaliere, took the reigns in establishing a group called Knight Lights.

“Knight Lights promotes social acceptance within our school,” explained Lehman. “What we wanted to establish was a chain reaction of small, kind actions.”

Every Monday a group of about 10 – 15 students meet in the art room of the school. They chose that room because they liked the open concept idea. It’s open to everybody.

“What we’re really trying to do is create a positive atmosphere, to make it a safer place in general,” added Cavaliere.

Rachel’s Challenge

One of the first major things Knight Lights helped bring to the school was a presentation byRachel’s Challenge.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado. She left behind her a legacy of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of six diaries which have become the foundation for an international school program that tours different cities.

“It touched everybody,” said Cavaliere of the presentation which showed powerful audio/video footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy. Rachel’s Challenge visited St. Peter’s on the day of Jamie Hubley’s funeral. Hubley was an Ottawa teenager who took his own life after being bullied for being gay.

“Something like (Rachel’s Challenge) was needed here and now everything has fallen into place,” said Laconi.

The assembly’s goal is to create a want for positive change, which is exactly what Knight Lights is trying to do for their school.

“Quite a change has already come over our school since Rachel’s Challenge,” said Lehman.

One of the creative initiatives Knight Lights has taken from <@Ri> Rachel’s Challenge <@Ri> is that they erected posters all over the school which contain little strips of paper. Students are invited to write little actions of kindness they’ve experienced which will eventually come together to make a long paper chain.

Flash Mob

Knight Lights also wanted to draw attention to their initiatives by way of a Flash Mob that took place on Oct. 21, the day after the Rachel’s Challenge presentation.

About 50 students surprised the rest of the student body in the atrium when they began a choreographed dance routine to Lady Gaga’s Born this Way.

“It was nice because I heard no negative feedback about it,” said Lehman. “All the comments were positive. No one made fun of it.”

Lehman, Cavaliere and Laconi all agree that the change in the school is noticeable. On the day after Halloween, students were greeted with warm, positive messages on the courtyard outside the school. Student council had written messages that said things like, “You are loved,” and “Live, laugh, love.”

A leadership team in the school also launched a workshop style environment called Love is Louder.

“The balls just rolling on its own,” said Cavaliere. “We just do our best to keep the momentum going,”

An issue at every school

Lehman and Cavaliere both agree that it is about time a tangible plan was put in place to improve the atmosphere at the school.

“I think it’s an issue in every school,” explained Lehman. “There’s more territory for bullying now,” suggests Lehman pointing to cyber bullying and emotional bullying at new taunts that students have to contend with.

Laconi admits that while teachers at St. Peter’s are very cognisant of anti-bullying practices they sometimes forget that it’s a revolving door of new students, so initiatives have to be consistent instead of once in a while.

“A school climate survey revealed it was a much bigger problem than teachers have been aware of,” said Laconi. “So many of the reactions were ‘Wow, we had no idea.’”

She explains that research  has shown that it needs to come from the students and that’s what they’ve been doing at St. Peter’s.

“It’s incredible, it’s beyond anything I could have expected. I’ve realized when you give the students a voice, a lot more can happen.”

 

Topics : Columbine High School, Student council, Orléans, Colorado, Columbine

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Soul Shoppe Interns SPEAK UP! Part 2 Maya Herbsman

16 Nov

Maya Herbsman

Soul Shoppe’s Fall 2011 Intern – Maya Herbsman, a Junior @ The Urban School of San Francisco

Maya is a Junior at The Urban School of San Francisco. She studies a variety of subjects including advanced biology and chemistry, Shakespeare, the history of the Middle-East conflict, pre-calculus, music and drama, and everything in between. She has many passions, among them bullying prevention in all types of schools. She enjoys working with kids.

 

photocredit: David Castillo Dominici

 “I mean like…you just aren’t a part of it so you can’t come in,” says J. “Yeah, sorry, this club only has room for two people and you just aren’t one of them,” says R, “We really do want to let you in, but like there is only room for two of us, so maybe another day.” “And also like, curly haired people aren’t allowed in, but it might help you if you stopped wearing that ugly red shirt”.“Oh…okay. That’s okay. I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow” says M. She then runs home, tears streaming down her face, trying to make sure the other girls don’t see her crying.

This continues every day. And it is not just the clubhouse she is not allowed into. She shows up to school proud of her bright new purple shirt with a dog on it and sees her two “best friends” wearing matching shirts with gold and pink letters proclaiming the name of their the club and various inside jokes. When she inquires about the shirts, she is told that they are only for club members. A club which she isn’t a part of. She shows up the next day wearing a similar pink shirt, only to be told that pink is a “baby color” and that pink was no longer cool.  

photocredit: Stuart Miles

 

Exclusion. To exclude. Verb: meaning “to shut out or keep out, to eject”. – from dictionary.com. “To bar from participation, consideration, or inclusion” – merriam-webster.com. Synonyms: to shun, reject, ostracize, excommunicate. Or in other words, many children’s worst fear.  

“Nobody wants to be shut out, not allowed in, or made to feel the odd one out and the loser.”

It is not a pleasant feeling, yet one familiar to many. Though this is a problem for all people, in many elementary and middle schools it tends to be more of a problem for girls. Girls of all ages are often extremely insecure and concerned about what others think of them. Many are exceedingly worried about saying something wrong or embarrassing that could cause their friends to leave them behind. Popularity is something that is so major at this age, that countless children crave it and those who have it greatly fear losing it. Because of this fear, girls, and people in general, will sometimes try and do whatever it takes to look cool. And if that means excluding another person, then that may be what it takes. The people causing the exclusion are not necessarily trying to hurt anyone or cause people like M to run home crying day after day, they are often just trying to take care of themselves and make sure that they aren’t the ones on the receiving end. But the question then becomes, where does it end?  

If M had another close friend who had stood up to the bullies and stuck with her, then the M’s elementary school experience would have ended up a lot better. This child did end up meeting someone a few years later who stuck with her and was there for her when no one else was, making her middle school experience significantly better. But not everyone has someone who will stick up for them. Not everyone has a friend brave enough to stay with them regardless of social stigma. So many kids get left behind and are left to feel like they are worthless because their peers have decided that they are not worth hanging out with. The feeling of eating lunch alone, watching your peers laugh and joke around you is not an enjoyable one for most kids, and is one that haunts many for years to come.  

“So, here is my message to all of you today: be that person. Be that person who goes and sits with the kid eating lunch by themselves. Be the person who stands up to the exclusion and encourage your kids and friends and students to do the same.”

If you are a parent, talk to your kid about standing up to exclusion. If you are a teacher, help your students sit with new people during lunch so as not to leave anyone out. It is certainly easier said than done, but every little bit helps. Though the quote by Ghandi “Be the change you want to see in the world” is used in many contexts, and we have all heard it a thousand times, it really does fit in this context. Be that change. It really can make a massive difference in a child’s life, and maybe even in yours. 

photocredit: Savit Keawtavee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A New CyberBullying National Program… CHWR Interviewed A Very Special Soul!

12 Nov

Yesterday, our very own Vicki Abadesco was featured on the Cyberhood Watch Radio program. Here is the info from there blog:

Today CHWR welcomed Vicki Abadesco to talk about the out of control (behavior) problems in schools today and Creating a Bully-Free World for our children to grow up in…

He is my story and my “ah ha” moment all rolled into one!! When I opened the show today I talked about… some type National Program forCyberBullying and hopefully it is on the horizon, and I was kind of on my soapbox for a few moments, then we brought her onto the show and she did a fantastic interview!

Vicki Abadesco

But half way through I realized that Vicki and her team did have one of the best grass-roots program and systems I’ve ever heard of or seen already in place and it’s phenomenal… wait until you hear the complete show you’ll know what I know, NOW!!! That is, maybe Vicki might have been snickering little bit about a CyberBullying National Program! Because they already have it!!!

We all just need to support and spread their message here at home in the good ole’ USA and especially globally, and more importantley to all our friends and families… so, that’s what Dave and I plan on doing, just that!

They’re on a mission to create a bully-free world by supporting schools to be safe, happy and loving environments for all. We provide interactive programs for students, administrators, staff and parents that teach the essential tools needed to create a thriving learning environment.

This year, Soul Shoppe is launching a very special “We Love Teachers!” campaign that includes workshops and services specifically designed to take care of our hard-working teachers. Be on the look out for upcoming workshops and offerings.

Please listen below:

Soul Shoppe supports school communities by providing interactive programs and tools that teach students powerful learning and life skills.

In addition to working with students, we also support staff by creating and facilitating dynamic staff development trainings that give teachers the necessary tools to implement academic and personal growth.

School Assemblies
Whether you have Soul Shoppe for one assembly, a series of assemblies or assemblies as part of a year round program, they will make a difference on your school campus!

Student Peacemaker Program
30 students are chosen to be the campus peacemakers for the school year. Peacemakers receive a thorough 4-part training that includes communication and leadership skills.

Elementary Peace Program
For a comprehensive year round program that reaches and teaches students on every level, check out EPP – the Elementary Peace Program. This is where you will find more information about Staff In-services and Parent Trainings.

Workshop Days
Soul Shoppe workshops are designed to reach groups of 30-125. These workshops are delivered by grade level as they are modified for specific groups. These workshops allow for more interaction and personal connection with students, which creates more understanding and personal accountability.

Soul Shoppe

A New CyberBullying National Program… CHWR Interviewed A Very Special Soul Today!! To see what I am talking about listen to the interview above and/or you can find out more info at the soulshoppe.com or just click the banner above…

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What’s with that “Pumped Up Kicks” song by Foster the People??

07 Nov
PumpedUpKicks

Image Source: www.thefastertimes.com

I’m sure you’ve heard the song, it sounds very happy and pop-sensible. Everything is great until you really start to listen to the lyrics. “All the other kids with their pumped up kicks, they better run better run…outrun my bullets.”

WAIT! WHAT?!

You heard/read correctly, and if you’ve been wondering about the meaning of the song then wonder no more. Here it is taken directly from the source, Mark Foster. (Taken from SongFacts.com)

Mark Foster explained the song’s meaning to Spinner UK:

‘Pumped Up Kicks’ is about a kid that basically is losing his mind and is plotting revenge. He’s an outcast. I feel like the youth in our culture are becoming more and more isolated. It’s kind of an epidemic. Instead of writing about victims and some tragedy, I wanted to get into the killer’s mind, like Truman Capote did in ‘In Cold Blood.’ I love to write about characters. That’s my style. I really like to get inside the heads of other people and try to walk in their shoes.

So you heard it here, don’t let your kids play that song at a school function or anything.

Image Source: www.bestweekever.tv

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Soul Shoppe Interns SPEAK UP! Maya Herbsman

07 Nov

Maya Herbsman

Soul Shoppe’s Fall 2011 Intern – Maya Herbsman, a Junior @ The Urban School of San Francisco

Maya is a Junior at The Urban School of San Francisco. She studies a variety of subjects including advanced biology and chemistry, Shakespeare, the history of the Middle-East conflict, pre-calculus, music and drama, and everything in between. She has many passions, among them bullying prevention in all types of schools. She enjoys working with kids.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

Photo Credit: SheKnows.com

“Come on four eyes. Stop being such a teacher’s pet” Child A says. Child S runs away crying. “What’s wrong freak? Need a tissue?” Child D taunts. Finally Child S whips around and yells “LEAVE ME ALONE” and pushes the other two boys against a wall and sprints away. Children A and D look at each other stunned, and then commence with their lunch as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, Child S runs away deciding whether or not to tell the school, for fear of getting further bullied. He doesn’t want to tell his parents either, but eventually decides to. The parents tell the school, and what happens? More or less nothing. They apologize to the parents and say that they will speak to the parents of the other boys. Do they? Maybe. Do the other parents do anything about it? Who knows. But either way, the bullying continues and continues to torture the poor child.

Photo Credit: David Castillo Dominici

This story is based on a young boy I know who is a current seventh grader at a private school in the east bay. He is a sweet  kid, on the nerdier side, and tends to get riled up very easily, thus making him an easy target. I am sure this sounds like someone that everyone has met, gone to school with, are related to, or maybe even are. This boy is a very easy target for bullies, but there is a lot more to him than what the bullies know. They don’t know that he is battling a chronic illness, which is not fatal, but still affects his daily life. They don’t know that he is really a sweet kid who has a large passion for chess and fencing. They don’t know that he is an innocent Peter Pan-like child who just wants to stay young forever. They also don’t know that he is a history enthusiast with a large interest in the Romans and the pirates. All they see is his glasses and slender figure and see it as an opportunity to pounce.

“Everyone makes first impressions.”


We all do it every day, every time we see a new person on the bus, every time we meet a new person at a party, or meet a new co-worker or new student. Sometimes these are right, and sometimes they are wrong, but first impressions are clearly inevitable. The trick with impressions and judgements is that they can be dangerous. The bullies in this story made a first impression of Child S and stuck with it which led them to bullying him. It would be ridiculous to say “Don’t make first impressions!”, but it is less ridiculous to say: be careful what you do with them. It is when we let our impressions and judgements of people affect how we treat them without even knowing them, that we reach conflict and bullying. So, if there is anything I would like to leave you with, it is think about your impressions and judgements of people. Encourage those around you, especially kids to do the same. Don’t get rid of them, but be conscious of them. Even just being conscious of them is one more step in the right direction.

Photo Credit: PhotoStock

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