Emotional Interview: Parents of Teen at Center of ?Bully ...

The documentary film ?Bully? follows the lives of five children victimized by extreme bullying. While most of the kids and teens depicted are still around to tell their own stories, the son of Tina and David Long is not. Their son, Tyler, took his own life at age 17, and the Longs? commitment to making a change in their son?s name is captured in this moving film.

The Longs told Fox News? Martha MacCallum on Thursday that one of the most shocking statistics they?ve learned since their son?s death is that the majority of kids subjected to bullying have some sort of special need; so did Tyler.

?Tyler had Asperger?s Syndrome, which is a form of Autism ? and as we know, 60 percent of all kids who have disabilities are bullied,? said Tina, ?and we thought, when they approached us to do this documentary, what a wonderful opportunity to get to do something that?s so important, that can change lives.?

The film is undoubtedly sparking a conversation across the country, something the Longs say is overdue and much-needed. From their own experience in trying to provoke Tyler?s school to take action to stop the bullying he was subjected to, most schools aren?t equipped or prepared to respond.

?Like a lot of schools, they just don?t respond,? she said. ?This film is creating such a conversation and such an opening door for families who do need [...] guidance.?

In one clip previewed on America?s Newsroom, David talks to the cameraman, saying of his son?s abuse, ?We had heard that he had had his head shoved into a wall locker; some kids had told him to hang himself, that he was worthless, and I think he got to a point where, enough was enough.?

The heartbreaking clip also shows a younger Tyler drawing his father a picture and describing it to his mother; it?s all captured on the Longs? home video.

While nothing can bring Tyler back, the Longs say their one message is for people to become educated and take action. ?Please don?t be a bystander ? it could save a life.?

For more information and resources from organizations like the National Center for Learning Disabilities and other non-profits, log on to specialneeds.thebullyproject.com. ?Bully? is now in theaters nationwide.

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