OUR STAND FOR QUADEN
YARRAKA Bayles says she does not want her nine-year-old son to “suffer in silence” and is pleading with the community to start an important and lifesaving conversation.
Her son Quaden was the subject of a harrowing viral video this week, reacting to being bullied at his Brisbane school and saying he wanted to commit suicide.
Ms Bayles said this was not the first time her son had uttered these words.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare losing their babies and this is my reality every day,” she said.
“Everything he is going through with his medical condition and on top of that being an Aboriginal boy with a disability is a doubleedged sword.
“But we do not want to suffer in silence anymore.
“We are losing too many people because of bullying, discrimination and racism.
“My heart goes out to those who have already lost their children.
“So many families have reached out to us with their stories.
“We need to address this and start a conversation to close the gap.”
Indigenous NRL All Stars players saw the heartbreaking vision on Facebook and immediately invited Quaden – a South Sydney supporter – to lead their side out against the Maori All Stars for the NRL All Star clash at Cbus Super Stadium tonight.
South Sydney’s Cody Walker brought Quaden into camp yesterday and the boy will walk out hand-inhand with indigenous skipper Joel Thompson tonight.
An initiative from the Gold Coast Bulletin and Triple M is also calling for all those at the ground to give Quaden a standing ovation during the ninth minute of the game to show their support.
The world has also rallied to make his Disneyland dream come true. A GoFundMe page has raised over $150,000 in less than 24 hours.
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