i experienced profound abuse from parents and peers and as a 4ft 6in 80 lb 8th grader was an easy target, not to mention my less than macho mannerisms and attitudes. i repeated the 8th grade and experienced a growth spurt in the summer between the two eighths, ending up at five six and about 115 lbs. by the time i was a sophomore i was 5'11" and a 120 lbs. i never did really fill out. at 28 i was five eleven and a half inches and 135 lbs and starting my first year of recovery from alcoholism and addiction.