Healing Through Giving: How Bear Givers Helps Children with Disabilities Grow Stronger
Brian Magnosi | News | September 9, 2025
As a mother, lawyer, and longtime advocate for children with disabilities, I’ve seen firsthand how empowerment and compassion can transform lives—particularly when young ones face adversity like school bullying or when they are physically injured in class or gym because their differences are ignored, minimalized, or taken into account. Through my work with Bear Givers, a nonprofit where children decorate teddy bears to donate to those in need and engage in empowerment projects that raise their self-esteem, I have witnessed just how powerful it is when children not only receive support, but also become helpers themselves. As a personal injury attorney, I am committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of vulnerable children and their families.
The Power of Giving for Children with Disability
Building Confidence, One Bear at a Time
Being labeled a victim—especially after experiencing bullying or when disabilities are ignored—can deeply wound a child’s self-worth. Bear Givers flips the script. When a child with a disability decorates a teddy bear to donate, they are not just crafting an object—they’re building a sense of purpose and agency. Each bear donated represents an act of giving back, a message that “I am capable; I am seen; I can help.” These moments matter profoundly when children feel overlooked and diminished because of their differences.
Strengthening Emotional Resilience
Psychologists affirm that acts of kindness—both giving and receiving—can heal trauma. For children with disabilities who’ve faced exclusion or ridicule, creating a bear to comfort another child helps shift them from feeling powerless to feeling proactive. That rebuilds resilience and sends a powerful message: we can stand up, even when others try to knock us down.
Cultivating Empathy in Classrooms
When Bear Givers enter schools, their mere presence projects empathy. One child’s act of kindness becomes a communal beacon, encouraging other children to be allies rather than bystanders. It’s a gentle but potent way to shift school culture from exclusion to inclusion.
From Teddy Bears to the Courtroom: Empowerment Through Advocacy
Walking with Clients Beyond Injury
At Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., we’ve represented countless families whose children have suffered due to accidents or violence. We have seen healing not just as compensation, but empowerment. The confidence children gain when they know they are supported—just as Bear Givers builds—mirrors what legal advocacy can offer: a path forward, in and out of the courtroom.
Learning from Giving to Fight Bullying
Bullying is a pervasive issue—recent estimates show that 60% of students with disabilities report being regularly bullied. Giving—like through Bear Givers—can build empathy and resilience. It complements legal strategies to hold schools accountable and enforce anti-bullying policies, showing that real change requires both heart and action.
Creating a Circle of Kindness in Legal Practice
Just as Bear Givers inspires a “circle of kindness,” my legal team aims to create a circle of protection. We help families feel respected and restored, not just represented. When a child who’s been bullied or injured because their differences are not understood or respected is finally treated with dignity, that child begins to internalize hope—so the courtroom becomes another place where empowerment, not just advocacy, happens.
How You Can Help Children with Disability Through Kindness and Justice
Participate in Bear Givers Programs
There are many ways to get involved—from decorating bears to sponsoring classroom kindness initiatives. Each bear created helps a child feel less alone and more empowered. Visit beargivers.org to learn more.
Advocate for Inclusive School Policies
Talk to your school administrators about disability inclusion and antibullying programs. Highlight the need for empathy-building activities—just like Bear Givers—to improve emotional safety and belonging for all students.
Seek Empowerment After Injury
For children with a disability, the world can present both physical and emotional obstacles. But when we invite them to give—even something as simple as a decorated teddy bear—they discover their own strength, empathy, and value. If your child has experienced harm—bullying, an accident, or negligence—know that you’re not alone. At Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., we believe in empowering our clients at every step. We offer a complimentary consultation to explore your rights and assist in restoring your child’s voice. Contact us at 212-227-4000 to begin.