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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

Morse code or megaphone - listen

Social media can be fun: finding long-lost loves, keeping close with far-away friends and family and even getting a glimpse into the details of co-workers' lives. But at some point, we have to listen, really listen to the tweets and posts and texts.

 No one listened to Texas high school senior Ashley Billasano. And so, she took her life.

No one listened to her reports of abuse; abuse she claimed went on for four years. No one called, asked, informed a teacher or trusted adult about one of her haunting final tweets that read: "I'd love to hear what you have to say but I won't be around."

Our children communicate however they can; sometimes they are loud and in our faces, but other times they whisper, in barely audible tones, their desperation. Sometimes their cries are as quiet as a tweet.

Adults, friends, teachers…anyone who hears those cries has the moral obligation to act.



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.