Forrest was always looked down by many people ever since he was young.
The doctor told his mother although he has the "strongest legs" he had ever seen despite living off braces, but a backbone "as crooked as a politician."

Forrest's Momma had always been clever with words. She constantly reminded him that he is "just like everyone else" when the fact is that he has an IQ of only 75 which during the 80's in America was insufficient to enter a public school. Desperate, she resorted by giving the Principal one night of 'treatment'.

When Forrest entered the school bus on the first of school, everybody looked down on him, mostly because of the braces on his legs. A kind young girl, Jenny, offered him a sit. She was "the most beautiful person" he had ever met in his entire life.

Forrest got bullied everytime. One day, he tried to run from the rocks that the bullies kept on throwing.
"Run Forrest, run!" Jenny shouted.
It was hard for him because of his braces, but he kept on trying because of Jenny's words. His braces dissembled because of his pace. Not realising what happened, Forrest continued to run. He soon realised that he was no longer walking fast but running.