Ryan's story

When our class heard that story there was a lot of sad faces and tears. The whole class went quiet. it was so sad that people were bullying Ryan like that and all the things they said were really awful. Bullying has got to stop, especially cyberbullying. Lot's of kids have killed theirselfs because of what somebody has said. If everbody would just not say a word to people they don't like, the world would be a better place.

Thank you so much for visiting Whitehall Coplay High school. I think you truly changed some peoples lives in this school. And i also thank you for making that difference. Not many people can touch a souls heart like you did that day.I would just like to say that, you must have really gained a lot of strength through these few years , to present a tragedy of not just anyone, but in particular your son. That is the hardest thing that anyone can do, is talk about how the actions of others effected the life of your son.  Your son was a strong, and was a strong boy. His memory will stay in my heart forever and i will continue to pray for him and your family everyday. God Bless.

hi you came to our school yesterday, and i really appreciate you coming and being able to talk to us about ryan. i was touched by your speech and i hope you help many kids realize about the topic and kids that are stuggling with suicide. i know that everyone in our school will always love ryan even though we havent meet him. after your speech in the auditorium, after school, my friend and i came up to hug you. i really enjoyed doing that. it seemed like you were happy that we did. again, i am so glad that you came to our school to tell us about ryans story. thank you!

Mr Halligan,

I am so sorry for your loss and i would just like to say that you are the most brave man i have ever met (even though i haven’t formally met you). I dont know if you can tell from my note i am writing you but i have dyslexia and ADD and ADHD. And i understand why ryan would be so sad and sad enough to leave the world of middle school and mean kids. Even though chatham is a nice friendly and quite little town the girls and guys here...can be evil. For example: There is one boy in my life now that is bugging the heck out of me and once or twice he has made me go into the next room and i cry. But thanks to your amazing speech and your kind words he hasnt bothered me since and he is now alot nicer to me when i see him. I dont think i could ever trust him again but at least i dont have to come home crying to my mom telling her about why i had such a bad day. Mr Halligan you have touched my heart and everyone elses at CMS. God bless you and i now that god id blessing Ryan.

Dear Mr Halligan: I was thoroughly impressed with and inspired by your presentation at the Chatham NJ middle school.  Inasmuch as I've so often wondered what I could do to prod our youth away from suicide, these community speeches are so worth our time and I'll pass the word along the best I can through your pamphlets. I'd like you to do your presentation at two schools near us it it's at all possible: Copeland middle school in Rockaway Twsp NJ and Randolph Middle school in Randolph NJ if you haven't done them already. I'll help if I can. You are a Special Family passing along your Angel's story to us, I and so many others thank you. 

      I saw your presentation today at CMS it was great. I feel so sad to hear that your son died because of bullying. I learned that bullying can get so severe that it can become suicidal. I was holding in tears. Thank you so much for making that speech, it was amazing.

My friends and I are very grateful that you came to our school, CMS and told us about your loss. We are all sad for you and your family. Your story was very touching and I most definitely learned something today. I hope that you recover well and your family and will teach people you speak too.