Famous Cyberbullying Case Still Drives Mom

This article was written by Christopher Reilly and posted by Patch Regional Editor Kurt Greenbaum.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

When Tina Meier of Dardenne Prairie discovered her daughter Megan dead from suicide, the horror was only just beginning. It would be discovered that Megan Meier was a victim of cyberbullying, not by other kids, but from the mother of one of Megan's friends.

It would become international news as details emerged, including a the creation of a fake boy persona and social media account, established just to bully Megan. The woman responsible for the hoax was not punished simply because there was no law that was broken.

Tina Meier vowed to change that, so she established the Chesterfield-based Megan Meier Foundation and dedicated her life to teaching others about cyberbullying. Here Meier tells Patch readers about how she she was first inspired and how she remains committed to changing the world.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?

Truly the biggest challenge that I have taken on is simply the creation and start up of the Megan Meier Foundation back in December of 2007, and just knowing where to take the first step or what to do.  I knew that about a year after Megan passed away and I was just beginning to come out of the numbness and fog of what really happened, that I wanted to help other kids . . . but my biggest question was "HOW?"

My aunt who is one of my biggest supporters sat with me and said, "Tina if you want to make a difference in memory of Megan then get out there and talk about what happened."  

She said "every time you speak to students, do a radio or television interview, there maybe one parent or child that is listening and you have the opportunity to help them."  

So with the help of my close family and friends we started the process of incorporating the Megan Meier Foundation and applying for our 501(c)(3).  In the meantime because of all of the media attention around Megan's story, I received a call from Drew Tignor, a teacher at Troy Middle School in Troy, Missouri.  

He stated that they were working on an anti-bullying video that was produced by the students on the school's character education council and asked if I would be a part of the video and come speak with the students.  I agreed and on December 20, 2007, I arrived at the middle school and walked into a gymnasium with approximately 900 seventh- and eighth-graders.  

I truly didn't prepare any type of speech, power point or anything, I just spoke to them from the heart and hoped that they really listened, to not only reach out for help when they are being bullied or cyberbullied, but to think about the words they say or text to others, and the things they type and upload on social media.  

From that point, I started receiving speaking requests from around the country and everything seemed to fall into place without having a larger plan than spreading awareness, education and promoting positive change. The amazing thing is that students and adults alike truly understand the impact when they hear me speak about it in person.  

They state, "It makes it so real to have you here in person rather than hearing from a teacher or a parent . . . you've been through it, you understand how we feel."

The Megan Meier Foundation is now in the beginning of its sixth year and as I look back, I am astonished at all of the things we have accomplished and all of the lives that we have not only touched but truly helped.  

We are in the process of moving to a larger office space thanks to our new landlord that has a huge heart and is really working to help the foundation during our growing pains.  The foundation continues to travel throughout the country giving keynote presentations, student and parent/community presentations, workshops, educator training sessions and small group breakout sessions, to name a few.  

We have several exciting pilot programs that will be implemented within the next 12 to 24 months.  The foundation also receives numerous calls and emails daily requesting help and information regarding all issues surrounding  bullying and cyberbullying.

Q: What inspired you to take on this challenge?

A: I have never been one to keep quiet about things in this world that I truly feel are wrong or need to be addressed.  My life as I knew it up to the age of 36 years old changed the very moment I held Megan in my arms as she took her last breath.  I thought to myself how am I suppose to go back to my so-called life?  

The answer was "I COULDN'T."  My inspiration to take this challenge on was not only my daughter Megan because she had the biggest heart and this infectious smile and laugh, but to also show my daughter Allison that while life can be extremely tough and not always seem fair that we can rise above and use our tragedies and life experiences to help others, which in turn helps heal ourselves. 

Q: Did you succeed?