I WAS sorry to hear that Joe Jackson has been the victim of bullying at Oaklands school.

I am in my second year at Millthorpe Secondary School, severely partially sighted but I really enjoy school and have not encountered any form of bullying.

All the teachers and pupils have helped me from the start. They have made sure I have been included in everything I wanted to do.

I have been on Outward Bound courses, taken part in the school stage production and I'm going on a trip to France in the New Year.

I enjoy going to a mainstream school and wouldn't like to go away to a special school which would mean leaving behind my family and friends.

I always let people know as much about my disability as possible because I think that, by understanding it, people will be less likely to judge me.

The main thing that gets me through school is believing in myself. If you believe you can do something then you will do it!

I wish Joe good luck, and hope he gets his problems sorted out.

Life shouldn't be a problem for people with disabilities, it should be a challenge.

Melissa Crowland, 12,

Manor Drive North,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 09:42 Thursday, December 23, 2004