Karen Suffern's son, Ryan, surprised her with what he asked as an ultimate Christmas gift from Santa this year in a letter to the jolly old man in a red velvet suit.
"Dear Santa ... I wanted a (remote control) car and helicopter, but I don't want that anymor. Kid at school are still picking on Amber and its not fair," he wrote. "I prayed that they will stop but god is bisy and needs your help."
Suffern shared her family's story with CNN. The single mother of 8 year-old fraternal wins works a part time job as an administrative assistant for a home health care company. She wanted to start saving up for presents early this year, so she asked her kids to write letters to Santa with things they would like for Christmas.
Ryan's sister, Amber, is overweight and gets teased on the school bus, according to CNN. Karen did not realize how much the taunting and bullying has affected her kids, who are currently in the third-grade.
"I try to build up my daughter's self-esteem and tell her she is beautiful, but people say hurtful things to me, because I also have a weight problem, and that hurts me,"Karen said. "I can't imagine what she goes through."
Karen added her daughter suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and describes Amber as an "emotional eater."
Amber weighs 140 pounds.
"If my kids don't call names and pick on others, I would expect other parents to teach their kids to be respectful, too," she said. "There have been times my kids would point at others and say, 'why is her hair so strange' and things like that, and I would say, 'You know, people are different, and that is just the way they are.' "
According to CNN, Karen said kids laugh at her when she can't complete tasks in gym class and tell her things like she's adopted because she is multiracial.
"Every day when she goes to school, she says, 'Mommy, can I just stay at home?' and she just doesn't want to go.' And now every time I send her to school, I feel like I am not protecting her and I am letting her down," Suffern said.
The twins' school, Rocky Mount Prep Charter School, posted a statement on its website Monday:
"We are hyper-vigilant at Rocky Mount Prep to prevent, intervene and protect our scholars from instances such as this. Our teachers and staff have received training to recognize and address these types of behaviors, and we are proud of the way they respond. We are saddened that this has taken place within our school family, and we can assure all of our parents, scholars and community that we will continue to do everything possible to provide them with a positive and safe learning environment."
Karen says she's grateful to have a selfless son in Ryan to help look out for his sister, and tells Amber she is beautiful just the way she is. Check out Ryan's full letter below, see photos of the kids here:
Dear Santa,
My mom said to send you a Christmas list. I wanted a remote control car and helicopter but I do not want that anymore.
Kids at school are still picking on Amber and it is not fair because she does not do anything to them and it makes me mad.
I prayed they would stop, but God is busy and I need your help.
Is it against the rules to give up gifts early?
Can you ask Big Time Rush to come to Amber's birthday party? It will make her so happy.
If you do not get them to come that is fine, just get her everything she asked for.
Thanks Santa,
Love Ryan
PS- My mom throws the best birthday parties. You can come if you want.
