Stars of X-Men and Netflix’s The Punisher, Hugh Jackman and Jon Bernthal, respectively, are among celebrities whose support will help send a bullied boy to Disneyland. Earlier this week, Queensland native, Yarraka Bayles posted a Facebook live video of her 9-year-old son Quaden. Quaden was born with achondroplasia dwarfism and is seen sobbing in the video directly after having been taunted about his height at school. The video has since gone viral, accumulating over 20 million views.
Yarraka, who is the founder of the Facebook group Stand Tall 4 Dwarfism, expresses outrage at the fact that her son is constantly bullied. Quaden talks about harming himself throughout her nearly seven-minute video. The most disheartening thing about the footage is Yarraka’s admission that her son has attempted suicide in the past. In the video she stresses the fact that “this is what bullying does…[so] educate your children, your families, your friends.” The video aimed at raising awareness has since become a movement with thousands of supportive messages being sent to Quaden. Comedian Brad Williams also set up a GoFundMe campaign for Quaden and his family - raising money to send the 9-year-old to Disneyland in California.
Williams’ GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $300,000 as of publication (its initial goal was $10,000), is fueled by droves of people appalled by the cruelty of bullying; of those people are celebrities the likes of Wolverine and the Punisher themselves, Jackman and Bernthal. Jackman, who is from Australia, posted a video to Twitter where he addressed Quaden. “Qauden, you are stronger than you know, mate, and no matter what, you’ve got a friend in me,” he said. Bernthal tweeted his admiration for the young boy and reassured him that he and his family are by Quaden’s side.
Jackman and Bernthal aren’t the only celebrities responding to Yarraka’s video. Star Wars’ star Mark Hamill tweeted that he found the video “as astonishing as it is heartbreaking” and The Walking Dead actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan posted his own video offering Quaden his friendship. Morgan even said that he and Quaden should meet, suggesting that his mother DM the actor. Perhaps one of the most heartwarming responses has come from Australia’s National Rugby League’s (NRL) indigenous All-Stars, who have offered to let Quaden lead the team out in their game Saturday night on the Gold Coast.
Quaden’s mother has said that her son always wanted to be a professional rugby player but knows that it will never be a reality. A trip to Disneyland, the actions of the NRL and celebrities like Jackman and Bernthal as well as the outpouring of support from citizens all around the world may help to alleviate Quaden’s feeling of alienation. However, Quaden’s story has reminded the internet, and in turn, the world, that we have a lot of work to do. The startling truth of Yarraka Bayles’ video implores parents and educators to unite against bullying - you don’t need to be a superhero or a vigilante to take a stand.
More: 20 Wild Details Behind Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher
Sources: Jon Bernthal, Hugh Jackman
