The chilling reason why so many people are talking about this photo of a girl standing on the toilet
When mom Stacey Feeley saw her 3-year-old daughter standing on the edge of the toilet lid, she initially thought it was comical and wanted to send it to her husband. Then, the young girl explained herself and Stacey broke down. Her daughter had been balancing on the edge of the toilet because she was practicing the lockdown drill procedure she learned at school, the one that teaches them how to hide from shooters in the bathroom.
“At that moment all [innocence] of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone,” wrote Stacey, when sharing this powerful story on Facebook.
Though standing on the toilet may be a simple action, its implications are far greater. Realizing this, Stacey is now asking politicians to see their own children, grandchildren, and future generations in her own daughter. These young people will live in a world influenced by the decisions they make. “They are barely 3 and they will hide in bathroom stalls standing on top of toilet seats,” continued Feeley. “I do not know what will be harder for them? Trying to remain quiet for an extended amount of time or trying to keep their balance without letting a foot slip below the stall door?” The thought of young children worrying about such things is terrifying – especially since they’re concerning themselves with something that shouldn’t be a threat to their safety in the first place.
While Stacey conceded that gun control most likely won’t double as foolproof crime control, she does think it will help. She emphasized her point by asking the following questions: “Why on earth are there not universal background checks? Where is a universal registration database? Why are high capacity magazines ever permitted to be sold to anyone other than direct to the military? Is that really necessary to protect yourself or hunt for that matter? What about smart guns, where are they?” Stacey mentioned that it’s unreasonable to ask that the 2nd amendment be abolished, but it’s also impractical to not allow the Constitution to evolve.
“Where is the access to care for those struggling with mental illness?” Feeley asked. “Politicians, I ask you…how can I help?“
Stacey wondered if all the petitions and rallies are doing anything – because we need action instead of words. She feels that many politicians aren’t working together to make this happen, so it’s up to us to create change. It’s up to us to make a difference, or to help those who have the power to make a difference. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the Senate just rejected a set of gun control laws that could have prevented suspected terrorists from acquiring weapons and could have also strengthened background checks.
To support Stacey and her message, people are taking to Facebook to discuss their own experience with raising children in a world without gun control laws:[/subheader
“I want to know what new smart technology is being built for safer guns, advanced security in public places, databases, traveling care for the mentally ill…anything! Entrepreneurs, innovators, are you there? Can I help? Can I help you make a difference?” wrote Stacey. “I want to offer support. I cannot give you techie advice, expertise in healthcare, or financial backing, BUT maybe I can point you in the right direction? Maybe I know someone who knows someone who can help? Incubators, investors…if this issue concerns you, do what you do best and help make change. Can I help? Hold funding competitions, provide think tanks for these very things. Hollywood, the PSA’s are good, but not good enough. Eventually they disappear and are forgotten.”
In conclusion, Stacey admitted that she doesn’t have all the answers, but she knows that something needs to be done. Something needs to be done because, instead of studying for tests, young children are standing atop toilets as they study for school shootings.
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