Disney Donates Vacation to Bullied Grandmother
News and video of her being fiercely taunted on a bus by seventh grade boys has been circulating among news and computers nationwide, and now Karen Klein has been given a Disney vacation.
Disney spokesperson Suzi Brown confirmed late last week that Disney is donating a vacation for four to Mrs. Klein. She'll be able to choose from a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, or a Disney cruise. It's also been reported Southwest airlines will fly the grandmother and her traveling companions for free.
Klein, a 68-year-old from Greece, New York, was verbally abused by a group of boys during a bus ride. The assault was caught on tape and went viral on YouTube. Since then, the woman has been the subject of generous support; one effort to raise money for a vacation for Mrs. Klein has resulted in the raising of some $400,000.
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Paula B. wrote on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 12:48:
I had heard of the bullying video and fund drive on the internet; then I caught the interview with the grandmother this morning on the Today show. She certainly is a deserving candidate for a Disney adventure/vacation. I hope she and her family can enjoy a wonderful time whatever option they choose. How kind of these companies to make the offer.
Sarah M. wrote on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 13:50:
Wow...that's real Disney magic at work :)
Melissa W wrote on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 14:28:
Good for them! I couldn't get through past 2 minutes of the video - it made me sick! She needs a good Disney vacation!
Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 15:04:
Since I was gone all weekend his is the first time I've heard of this.
JoAnn C wrote on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 23:26:
I couldn't watch the whole video. I got about 2 mins in and couldn't take it anymore.
The current amount is $651,903.
Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 00:08:
So, this is really something significant playing out in the court of public opinion. She's getting a major "settlement" provided by just regular people who thought she needed something nice done for her? I wonder what she will do with all that money.
The money was originally supposed to be enough for a vacation, right? But now Disney is giving her a vacation, and she has enough to live on for the next decade. Wow, really really interesting.
I still haven't watched the whole video, but I saw some news features about it.
Loye wrote on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 00:44:
I read about the bus monitor who was horribly verbally abused by some 7th graders. Watched about 2 minutes and had to turn it off, too. While there is NO excuse for the kids' behavior, my question has to be:
Why didn't she march up to the bus driver, make him/her pull over, and kick their butts off?? That's what I would have done. If she's the bus monitor, doesn't she have any power to handle situations? If not, then why does the school district have them??
Melinda Gregory wrote on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 01:36:
I couldn't even watch the video - just reading the comments in a story was enough to turn my stomach! I agree, though, Kristen - it is interesting, this huge amount raised & what she will do with it.
salejune wrote on Sat, 06/30/2012 - 19:49:
I saw just a short bit of the video and it made me so angry! I'm so happy that people have shown their support for a woman in pain... How wonderful of Disney to give her a vacation...
JoAnn C wrote on Sat, 07/28/2012 - 12:19:
The final total was $703,833.
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