A Little Boy's Gut-Wrenching Bullying Goes Viral as 10 Million People and $75,000 Send a Message of Love and Hope for the Brokenhearted
Image courtesy of Pexels from Pixabay
On Tuesday, an Australian mom shared a heart-wrenching video of her 9-year-old son crying after being bullied at school.
Yarraka Bayles wanted the world to see the terrible pain of her son, Quaden, who was born with Achondroplasia — a form of dwarfism.
As told to the Aussie outlet SBS, having arrived in the afternoon to pick up Quaden, she saw a classmate patting his head as a reference to his height.
“She was patting him on the head like a little puppy. My daughter and I looked at each other and we made signals to him to ask if you are right, and he was like ‘no’ and he was looking at me horrified, like ‘don’t make a scene mum.’
“You could tell he was very uncomfortable but he was so good at trying to shrug things off, he doesn’t want people to know how much it’s affecting him, he’s so strong and confident but it’s times like these when you just see him crumble. It was just heartbreaking to watch, it made me feel helpless.”
You can hear her in the clip:
“I’ve just picked up my son from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal, and I want people [to] know — parents, educators teachers — this is the effects that bullying has. This is what bullying does.”
The video is difficult to watch.
This is the impacts of bullying! I seriously don’t know what else to do! ????
Posted by Yarraka Bayles on Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Yarraka explained to SBS that her son tried to kill himself when he was 6, after the passing of his grandfather.
It wasn’t his last attempt:
He has made constant attempts since, with some very close calls.
“I want to stab myself in the heart,” he says in the video. “I want someone to kill me.”
My gosh.
Since her post, according to Fox 8, Yarraka has pulled him from school and is considering homeschooling him.
But Quaden’s now getting a lot of love — from all over the world.
The viral clip has received over 10 million views, and some famous faces are reaching out with support.
Here’s Hugh Jackman, Quaden’s new friend, standing up for him:
Quaden – you’ve got a friend in me. #BeKind @LokelaniHiga https://t.co/8dr3j2z8Sy pic.twitter.com/jyqtZYC953
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 20, 2020
Special Olympian Tank Schottle is speaking out as well:
Dear Quaden
As a Special Olympics Athlete
I stand with you
I Love you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iy9689qOrv
— Tank Schottle (@TankSchottle) February 20, 2020
Jurassic World star Vincent D’Onofrio sent his love to Quaden and Yarraka:
Hey there son,
Much love to you&your family. Stay strong. You’re an example to all, every one of us out in the world. You live this life you have. You can can live it strong&happy. Myself&my children have gained strength from u.
U are so powerful to me. YOU ARE A GIANT AMONG MEN. https://t.co/6t0Vr3vOIT— Vincent D’Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) February 20, 2020
Rampage’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who has a 9-year-old himself) called out to his “buddy” and said he’d love to meet Quaden:
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) February 20, 2020
The internet sensation also received an invitation from the NRL rugby team Indigenous All Stars:
“We want you to lead us out on the weekend.” ♥
The special invitation from the Indigenous All Stars for bully victim Quaden Bayles.
????: @NRL
STORY: https://t.co/QmMgxt7BOP #NRL pic.twitter.com/K88zw8xet1— FOX LEAGUE (@FOXNRL) February 20, 2020
And here’s Ford v. Ferrari’s Jon Bernthal:
Hey little man. For what it’s worth you have taught my family so much. You have inspired us and in our home you are a hero. Thank you for your courage, stay strong the world is watching and you have so much beautiful power. From me and my boys. We are with you and we thank you. https://t.co/QuTL0vvnor
— Jon Bernthal (@jonnybernthal) February 20, 2020
But perhaps the most meaningful endorsement has come from standup comedian Brad Williams, who was also born with dwarfism.
Brad decided he wanted to raise enough money for Quaden and his family to go to Disneyland.
He made his stand for the sweet new internet sensation at GoFundMe:
“I’m setting up this GoFundMe to let Quaden know that bullying will not be tolerated, and that he is a wonderful human being who deserves joy. I want to fly Quaden and his mother to America, get them a nice hotel, and bring them to Disneyland.”
The goal? $10,000.
Aside from a few bullies who are bullying me for taking a stand against bullies, this fundraiser is unreal. So amazing to see all sorts of people come together. Quaden is going to have the time of his life! And it’s all thanks to you! https://t.co/vGLHQXzO0K
— Brad Williams (@funnybrad) February 20, 2020
Wrestling legend Mick Foley’s on board:
Wow, thanks for doing this @funnybrad
I hope the kindness being shown to Quaden through this fund will offset some of the terrible bullying he has endured. Maybe Quaden’s family can schedule their @Disneyland trip when @WWE is in Anaheim. I still know some people there! https://t.co/TJQmiDVoID
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) February 20, 2020
Incredibly, as of this moment, the page has raised nearly $75,000.
Might wanna upgrade that trip to Disney World. And maybe add Universal, too.
What an ugly world this is, where children can have their hearts crushed by those they should count as friends.
But what a beautiful place we have, where those who feel another’s pain come together to wrap their arms around the brokenhearted with a message we all need to hear: “I’ve been there, too. I’m there right now — to be with you. We’re in this together. You’re not alone. And you’ll never be.”
There is love in this world, Quaden. Enough to last a long, long lifetime.
Tell Mickey I said Hi.
-ALEX
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