First name: Elena
- Tags: body shaming, bystander apathy, classroom climate, non-contact, reasonable accommodation
Setting
It’s the change of classes in the 2nd year of ESO. The hallway smells of sweat and disinfectant from the gym; echoes of whistling come from the pavilion. In Elena’s backpack, her medical report is folded like a thin shield. She counts her steps so as not to stumble; Victor’s laughter always comes before him.
Situation
Elena dreamed of making it to high school. She made it, even though she has health problems and is exempt from Physical Education. She also knows she is overweight, but what she can’t stand is that every day Victor makes her the joke: “Whale, what can you do today?” “Elena the handicapped!” “Elena the nerd.” The class watches, but no one asks her how she is doing. Elena is responsible, respectful, and eager for friends… but walking down the hallway every day is a struggle for her.
Key dialogue
– “Whale, what can you do today?”
– “My name is Elena.”
– “Relax, just kidding.”
– “If it leaves me not wanting to come, it’s no joke.”
Rewrite the story
I’m your partner and today I’m acting.
1. Now (10 s): I stand next to you: “Her name is Elena. No body or disability comments here. You stop”.
2. Safe exit: I accompany you to the classroom/hallway guard and notify the tutor: “Repeated incidents with Victor”.
3. Check-in (5 min): I write down with you time/place/witnesses; we ask for no-contact and vigilance in class changes.
4. In EF: I propose with the teacher worthy adjustments (role of chronicler, material management, personalized objectives) without exposure.
5. In class: I ask for 1 minute to set rules: real name, zero nicknames, zero capacitism, “My body is not a subject”.
6. Follow-up (7 days): I form a small group of allies to sit down with you and cut teasing; if there is recidivism, we elevate with two witnesses to CPE/counseling.
Roles at table: Elena (protagonist), Victor (aggressor), chorus of peers, peer ally (narrator), tutor, EF teacher, CPE/guidance.