Classmates bullied my son who almost died as a baby, for no better reason than the fact he has a hearing impairment - Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton

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Hell: Sutton has opened up about his son's battle with bullying

Chris Sutton has opened up about how school bullies made his son’s life hell because of his hearing aids.
Classmates targeted young James, who almost died as a baby, for no better reason than the fact he has a hearing impairment.


Sutton revealed he had to move him to another school after teachers failed to tackle the problem.
"People are ignorant. That’s not going to change," the former striker told the Daily Record.

“It’s wrong for children to tease and bully but it happens through school. As much as we’d like it to be, it will probably never be eradicated.


“What I couldn’t understand was the lack of understanding from his teachers. They didn’t know how to treat him because of his hearing aids.”
Chris said the bullying left James, now 14, depressed and lacking self-belief. He had to tell him he was happy with him just the way he is, and that his ordeal would teach him who his real friends were.

 

But James’s confidence grew at his new school thanks to the “common sense and understanding of his teachers”, and he’s now thriving and showing his talent as a hockey player.
James was born premature at 28 weeks, weighing just 3lbs, then fell ill with a virus that could have killed him.
Chris flew back from a European tie in Spain to be with his son and wife Samantha.

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Sutton won the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1995

It was the most worrying time of his life. “It was touch and go,” said Chris. “You realise how close to tragedy you are.
“He gets moody at times now, but we’re glad he’s here to be moody.”