Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons. Through her family’s persistence and perseverance, positive change continues to happen in her memory.
Rehtaeh’s father Glenn Canning says he chooses to focus on the good, rather than on his grief.
“I know Rehtaeh had stories to tell and I know if she was here today, she'd be very happy with everything that has happened within the last year,” says Canning.
Rehtaeh’s family alleges she was sexually assaulted by four boys when she was 15 and then bullied by her peers after a digital photograph of the alleged incident was passed around her school.
She died in April 2013, at the age of 17, after being taken off life-support following an attempted suicide.
Inspired by her story, Susan Jamieson contacted Canning with an idea to make Rehtaeh a character in a comic contest for students. Jamieson says she recognized Rehtaeh’s story as one that possesses the power of positive change.
“When I read Glen's comments about the fact that Rehtaeh had more to say, I thought ‘I wonder if we could bring a real life story in here?’” says Jamieson, whose company, O2 Aqua, is sponsoring the Zoned Comic contest.
The Zoned Comic contest gives students the chance to submit a short narrative about the global problem of bullying. The winner of the contest will be featured in a comic as a key character, alongside Rehtaeh, who spreads positive messages and lessons of anti-bullying.
“I thought it would make an amazing tribute to Rehtaeh, and that it would do so in such a way that it would be helpful to other people,” says Canning.
Comic giant Marvel Entertainment will draw Rehtaeh’s comic. One of the benefits of having Marvel’s backing is that the comic will be available in multiple languages for students all around the world.
“It opens the doors for parents to even talk about death, to talk about suicide problems, and hopefully, so they don’t happen to other children, whether they are younger, or older,” says Jamieson.
Canning says he will help to ensure the hero reflects his daughter in appearance and in attitude.
“We will share something of her life and her character that not a lot of people have been able to see,” says Canning.
The comic will be released in November. Jamieson says including Rehtaeh in the comic takes the project to a new level.
“The honour of being able to take her words out into the public, I couldn't do it with anybody but Marvel, so they are going to draw her and she is going to be world recognized,” says Jamieson.
“Rehtaeh's story has helped a lot of people, I know that for sure, so now, to introduce another medium that is even going to affect younger people, I think is brilliant,” says Canning.
Canning says he wants to continue sharing his daughter’s legacy, as he knows Rehtaeh’s influence will continue to inspire change in the lives of others.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
