Being bullied at school for his dwarfism, 9-year-old Quaden Bayles said to the camera, "Give me a knife, I want to kill myself." His mother, Yarraka Bayles, uploaded the upsetting Facebook Live video this week to raise conscientiousness of the impact of bullying.
More than $200,000 charity money has been raised to send an Australian boy Quaden Bayles to Disneyland. Thousands of donors have chipped in to a GoFundme supporting the boy who was diagnosed with Achondroplasia dwarfism.
Yarraka explained that she witnessed a "bullying episode" while picking up her son. She says a classmate was patting the boy on the head and making fun of his height.
Quaden's mother Yarraka is an advocate for indigenous issues and disability awareness. The recorded video of his reaction had the caption, "This is the impacts [sic] of bullying! I seriously don't know what else to do!"
The video piqued the attention of Australian actor Hugh Jackman, UK TV host Piers Morgan and American comedian and actor Brad Williams, who set up a GoFundMe page for the bullying victim. Williams also has achondroplasia dwarfism.
"Quaden - you've got a friend in me," Jackman posted on Twitter in response to the torment, alongside a 20-second video saying "bullying is not okay, period, life is hard enough."
Yarraka Bayles said her purpose was to raise awareness about the scarring effects of bullying on children.
Quaden expressed multiple times his impulse to end his life. The Facebook video has gone viral with over 16 million views, gaining support from #WeStandWithQuaden messages.
Alongside celebrities, parents in other countries have posted video messages from their children. As of now, Williams has raised more than $200,000 (£100,000) for the boy who broke hearts all over the world. The stand-up comedian has guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Tonight Show.
Yarraka pleaded to educate the viewers' children, families, and friends. The plea cascaded to a movement.
Quaden expresses his longing in the video, "I wish I could stab myself in my heart. I want someone to kill me."
Williams wrote that he launched the fundraiser to show Quaden that there is good in the world. "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," he said.
On Instagram, he posted, "His mother taped him crying, saying he wanted a knife to kill himself and put it on the internet to show people the effects of bullying. This story struck a nerve with me."
The money left from the fundraiser will be donated to anti-bullying/anti-abuse charities.
Meanwhile, All Stars invited Quaden to lead them out for their game against the Māori All Stars tomorrow night on the Gold Coast.
According to Latrell Mitchell on the behalf of the players, "We know you are going through a hard time now but the boys are here to support you. We've got your back and just want to make sure that you are doing alright, make sure that your mum is on your side, we're on your side."
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