Why This Viral Photo Of A Little Girl Is Chilling

When Stacey Feeley took out her camera to snap what she thought was a silly picture of her little girl standing on top of the toilet, she learned something about the state of the country that was hard to swallow. Stacey's three-year-old daughter wasn't being silly. She wasn't playing around. She wasn't posing for a cute picture to send to dad. Stacey's daughter was showing her mother what she learned in preschool: a lock down drill. You see, even preschools are implementing safety drills for shootings and other in-school violence. They've taught their three-year-olds how to hide from shooters if they're in the bathroom — to jump up on the toilet.

In this moment, Stacey was overcome with emotion and took to her Facebook to share a heartfelt message with her community: a call for change. She used the picture of her daughter standing on the toilet to show law makers that this could be anyone's daughter — to personalize her experience and remind them to their own children. It could be their granddaughter, their niece, their neighbor's kids. The future children of the country will be learning of its dangerous state at a very early age. Part of what struck Stacey so deeply was the apparent loss of innocence at such a young age. What did her daughter understand of the matter? What does this mean she understands of humanity? Of the state of the world?

After Sandy Hook, schools have learned to up the safety for young children. Firearm access is more widespread than ever — a dangerous and unpredictable condition that puts even our most innocent and unsuspecting citizens at risk. There isn't anything that’s more grave than a three-year-old practicing a school shooting drill in her spare time.

In high school many of us underwent bomb scares, the post-Columbine school system was traumatized and underprepared for what teens were capable of. But never did we think that this type of threat would reach children — practically babies. Read Stacey’s now viral Facebook call-to-action below:

I took this picture because initially I thought it was funny. I was going to send it to my husband to show what our mischievous little three-year-old was up to. However, The moment she told me what she was doing I broke down. She was practicing for a lockdown drill at her preschool and what you should do if you are stuck in a bathroom. At that moment all innocense of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone.Politicians - take a look. This is your child, your children, your grandchildren, your great grand children and future generations to come. They will live their lives and grow up in this world based on your decisions. They are barely 3 and they will hide in bathroom stalls standing on top of toilet seats. I do not know what will be harder for them? Trying to remain quiet for an extended amount of time or trying to keep their balance without letting a foot slip below the stall door?No one thinks gun control will be 100% crime control. But maybe, just maybe, it helps 1% or 2% or 50%? Who knows unless we try? Why on earth are there not universal background checks? Where is a universal registration database? Why are high capacity magazines ever permitted to be sold to anyone other than direct to the military? Is that really necessary to protect yourself or hunt for that matter? What about smart guns, where are they? C'mon techies! The 2nd Amendment is a beast to battle and wiping out the right to bear arms is not on the table. Does anyone really think that will be accomplished? Because it won't. Amended to some extent? Maybe. But how many decades will that take? Where's the evolution of our so called "living document" for this subject matter? A document that originally allowed slavery and prevented women from voting? NRA, are you even trying? Let's talk mental health. Where is the $500 million that the Obama administration put into the budget for approval…did it go through? Is it being implemented or just sitting there? Where is the access to care for those struggling with mental illness? Politicians, I ask you...how can I help?Banning together, signing petitions, rallying to get your voice heard is good, but is it actually doing anything or just making us feel better about the current situation? We need action. I applaud politicians like Senator Chris Murphy but so many of our elected politicians can't manage to work together (maybe they shouldn't be paid for a job they can't do…just saying) or since they are in bed with all the wrong people, it is up to us if we want change. I want to know what new smart technology is being built for safer guns, advanced security in public places, databases, traveling care for the mentally ill…anything! Entrepreneurs, innovators, are you there? Can I help? Can I help you make a difference? I want to offer support. I cannot give you techie advice, expertise in healthcare, or financial backing, BUT maybe I can point you in the right direction? Maybe I know someone who knows someone who can help? Incubators, investors…if this issue concerns you, do what you do best and help make change. Can I help? Hold funding competitions, provide think tanks for these very things. Hollywood, the PSA's are good, but not good enough. Eventually they disappear and are forgotten.I am not pretending to have all the answers or even a shred of them, but unless you want your children standing on top of a toilet, we need to do something! Please share. ‪#‎dosomething‬‪#‎prayfororlando‬ ‪#‎wecandobetter ‬Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Images: Pixabay; Facebook