Stars from all around the world came together to show support for a bullied Australian boy. Quaden Bayles was 9 years old. He lives with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that results in dwarfism. Bullying is difficult for any child to cope with. For Quaden, it's relentless.
Bullying is a major issue for Quaden, as well as other children living with disabilities. Quaden's mom, Yarraka Bayles, went live on Facebook to share her son's hysterical state after she picked him up from school. The heartbreaking video is six minutes long. Quaden is inconsolable while seated in his mom's car. Yarraka explains how parents and educators need to be aware of the impact of bullying, especially on disabled children. Throughout the video, Quaden says he wants to kill himself.
Yarraka explains how this kind of talk has become normal for her son as he faces cruelty day after day. She says the school hasn't done much to address the issue. Sadly, Quaden is similarly treated when out in public as well. After that video was posted, it quickly amassed over 20 million views. There's been an immense outpouring of support as celebrities from all walks of life show love for Quaden and other kids like him.
Quaden Bayles has felt alone for a long time. The 9-year-old bullied Australian boy has faced constant cruelty because he lives with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that results in dwarfism. For years, Quaden's mom, Yarraka Bayles, has tried to teach her son to rise above bullies and be his best self.
Earlier this week, both Quaden and Yarraka struggled to deal with the relentless bullying. Yarraka went live on Facebook after going to get Quaden and finding another child patting him on the head and making fun of his height. He ran to the car in hysterics when his mom wanted to confront the administration about the endless bullying.
"I want people to know — parents, educators, teachers — this is the effect that bullying has. This is what bullying does. So can you please educate your children? Your families your friends?" Yarraka begs. "You wonder why kids are killing themselves?"
Quaden was beside himself in the video. "I want to die right now! Gimme a knife; I want to kill myself!" he sobbed. You can see just how deep this hurt is for him. "I want to stab myself in the heart; you watch me. I want someone to kill me."
"This is what bullying is doing, and I want people to know how much this is hurting us as a family," Yarraka reiterates. You can hear how exhausting this is for her as a mother. The emotional turmoil of listening to your child say they want to end their life is something no parent should have to experience.
"This is the impact that bullying has on a 9-year-old kid that just wants to go to school, get an education, and have fun."
The video has gone viral since Yarraka first posted it, amassing over 20 million views. It caught the eye of comedian Brad Williams, who also lives with a form of dwarfism. Brad was able to get in touch with Yarraka and Quaden, and he began the quest to make a difference in the 9-year-old's life.
Brad set up a GoFundMe to raise money to send Yarraka and Quaden to Disneyland in California. The fundraiser had a $10,000 goal and has raised over $300,000 to date, with more than 13,000 contributors. Brad said the money raised beyond the goal will be donated to anti-bullying organizations.
Hugh Jackman, an Australian native, also reached out to show his support for Quaden. "Quaden, you are stronger than you know," he says in a video shared online. "And no matter what, you've got a friend in me."
All-star rugby team Indigenous All Stars also reached out to Quaden. They invited him out to lead them onto the field at their match in Queensland on Saturday. You can tell how much the event meant to Quaden from his huge smile.
ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong offered Quaden free MMA lessons, as the organization is one of the top MMA organizations in the world. "I just spoke to his amazing mom, Yarraka, over the phone," he said Friday.
"She has graciously accepted my invitation to come to Singapore for an all-expenses-paid vacation so Quaden can learn martial arts at EVOLVE. Our instructors will be sure to bully-proof Quaden."
Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is also working on getting Quaden to a Celtics game. "The world is behind you," he tweeted. "The @celtics are behind you Champ. Love the jersey, Why don’t we get you to one of our games."
Actor/director Vincent D'Onofrio offered his own message of support. "Hey there son, Much love to you&your family," he wrote. "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."
Quaden sat down to share his own words of support for other kids who are being bullied. "If you get bullied, just stand up for yourself and don't listen to what they say," he said. "The parents should make their kids be nice to people with disabilities."
The outpouring of support Quaden has gotten since Yarraka shared their emotional moment has been truly inspiring. It's a beautiful reminder of how much good there is in the world. As adults, it's our job to make sure our children are as kind and caring as we know we can all be.
