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 him up, 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.”
For Quaden, being ridiculed is part of life.
From the Daily Mail:
[Yarraka] previously said her son was called a ‘midget’ by his class mates.
The video is difficult to watch (Language Warning).
https://www.facebook.com/yarraka/videos/10163099957440693/
The devastated mom explained to SBS that Quaden 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 her son from school and is considering homeschooling him.
But now Quaden’s 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 up:
— 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 outpouring of support for Quaden Bayles has continued, with US comedian Brad Williams leading a fundraising effort to take the Queensland boy to Disneyland in California. #7NEWS https://t.co/DaqNmzQs6P
— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) February 21, 2020
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:
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1230613409458204679
Incredibly, as of this moment, the page has raised over $375,000.
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
See 3 more pieces from me:
Christmas Miracle: Dad Murders Baby, But There was ‘Someone Watching Over’ Her
September 11th: Remembering Not Only Tragedy, but Something Greater
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