Bryan Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan who was physically beaten by L.A. Dodgers fans in 2011, speaks to Joe Henderson Elementary School students about his experiences and the importance of speaking out against bullying. (Photo by Linda Wright)

The road to recovery has been a difficult journey for Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who was attacked at a Los Angeles Dodgers game seven years ago, but part of his healing has included delivering anti-bullying assemblies at schools. One of his most recent stops was earlier this month at Joe Henderson Elementary School, where he received a very enthusiastic response from students and staff.

In 2011, Stow— a paramedic from Santa Clara— accompanied friends on a trip to Dodger Stadium in LA for the Giants’ first game of the season. The Giants were fresh off their first World Series victory in 56 years, and their rivalry against the Dodgers is considered one of the most competitive in all of sports. Following the game, Stow was approached by two men in Dodgers jerseys who assaulted him, caused serious damage to his skull and put him in a medically induced coma. After years of intensive therapy—which included having to relearn how to read and write—Stow was allowed to return home. The attackers were sentenced to state prison for felony assault.

In recent years, Stow has dedicated his time to delivering anti-bullying speaking engagements at area schools. Henderson Principal Melanie Buck said a friend of transitional kindergarten teacher Lisa Schroers had seen him speak at their school, and she was able to get in touch with Stow to address Henderson.

During the presentation, Buck said Stow reflected on the incident, albeit in “kid-friendly language.” He presented a slideshow detailing his process featuring pictures of him in the hospital bed, undergoing physical therapy and having a wheelchair, walker and cane, the latter of which he is currently using. The Henderson assembly was actually the first time he was able to walk with his cane without a strap for support. Additionally, his speech therapist was on hand to provide details he could not remember, and Stow’s parents also attended while wearing Giants gear.

The photos also depicted the difficulties he has faced along the way.

“He showed a picture of how he tried to write his kids’ names,” Buck said. “One of them he did pretty well, and one of them he kind of struggled with.”

Nonetheless, Buck said he presented his story in a very humorous way.

“He was a down-to-earth kick in the pants,” she said. “Not only was his assembly inspiring, but he had a great sense of humor. When people lose their sense of humor, they kind of give up so the fact that he held onto his sense of humor is an added bonus in his recovery.”

The overarching goal of Stow’s presentation was to speak out against bullying and inspire others to do the same when they see it happening.

“If somebody is hurting somebody else, stand up for them,” Buck said. “It’s not OK just to be an innocent bystander anymore. We really have to jump in and speak up and support others in kindness.”

Buck said Henderson students were very supportive of Stow’s presentation, quietly listening in the beginning and applauding after he attempted to liven up the crowd. Buck hopes students will take Stow’s message to heart and practice kindness.

“Our No. 1 hope is that kids will be kind,” she said. “Yes, we want our students to be academically successful and complete their homework, but if we can teach our students how to be kind and to be empathetic to others, then they will go out in the world and be successful human beings. We have a great group of kids, and that is a message you cannot tell enough times. We just constantly try to convey that message of ‘Be kind to others.’”

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