A YOUNG man who grew up being taunted about his physical appearance is raising awareness of the misery caused by bullies.

Joseph Vinson, 20, of Seaham, east Durham, who has a genetic disorder causing physical differences, wants to encourage bullies to think twice about the torment they can cause.

He and a group of other young people, who also have disabilities, have worked with Fixers, the charity which gives young people a voice, to get their message across.

“I was called egg head, bean and peanut because of the shape of my head,” Joseph said.

“I didn’t like it. I was hit with a tennis racket and pushed to the floor.

“No one should have to experience prejudice or bullying. It’s just wrong.”

Joseph and his team have produced a film Bullying and Disabilities, showing a day in the life of a young person with a disability who is being bullied.

He plays the lead role in the short drama, which reveals the types of bullying he endured – including name-calling and being laughed at.

The film ends with a thought-provoking message which states that feeling sorry for someone is not enough.

“The film is absolutely great,” says Joseph.

“It makes people aware that it’s not right to bully people with disabilities.”

Joseph plans to show his Fixers film in local schools as well as at his college and at the youth centre he attends.

Fixers supports people aged 16-25 to tackle or campaign about any issue that matters to them, however they choose.

Each Fixer is supported by the charity’s team of in-house creative professionals to produce a resource to get their chosen message across.

Many young people choose to create a short film, website, poster campaign, information leaflet, or hold an event or flash mob.