THE nine-year-old boy with dwarfism who was bullied so badly he told his mom he wanted to commit suicide walked onto the field with his favorite rugby team on Saturday.
Crowds cheered in emotional scenes as Quaden Bayles walked onto the field, leading the All-Stars National Rugby League team as he walked hand-in-hand with team captain Joel Thompson
Quaden held the ball under his arm, as he was clad in a black jersey and matching noise-cancelling headphones.
Videos showed crowds standing and cheering as Quaden led the team before the game against the Maori All-Stars.
Users said they got “goosebumps” watching the young boy happily lead the boy out onto the field at the game.
One user wrote they had “Happy tears” in their eyes.
The joyful moment comes after a heartbreaking video showed Quaden asking for a knife, saying he wanted to kill himself after he was bullied at school over his height.
Posted by Quaden’s mother, Yarraka, the video showed the tearful boy in hysterics.
“What’s the point? Quaden said.
“I want someone to kill me”.
Yarraka said she shared the video as a message to others to stop bullying, and to show its effects.
“This is what bullying does, so can you please educate your children, your families, your friends,” Yarraka said.
Celebrities and hundreds of others have shared encouraging words of support in response to the now-viral video.
Earlier in the week, NRL star Latrell Mitchell — who previously met Quaden —posted a video message to the boy on Twitter.
“We know you’re going through a hard time right now, but the boys are here, we’ve got your back, we’re here to support you, bud,” he said.
Actor Hugh Jackman also posted a video message to the young boy.
“Quaden, you are stronger than you know mate, and no matter what, you’ve got a friend in me,” Jackman said.
“So, everyone lets please be kind to each other – bullying is not okay.”
World boxer Billy the Kid offered sparring sessions to Quaden upon seeing the video.
Comedian Brad Williams, who also has dwarfism, started a GoFundMe to send Quaden and his mom to Disneyland. The fundraiser has now reached more than $450,000.
Although many have shown support for the boy, some trolls have continued to bully him or claim he is lying about his age.
Some started a conspiracy theory that the boy is really an 18-year-old actor, and the video of him crying and saying he wanted to commit suicide was a sham.
The rumor started after a picture surfaced of Quaden standing next to a light-up number “18” sign, which turned out to be from a birthday party for someone else that the boy attended.
Fake accounts mimicking Quaden have also begun to pop up on social media, including Instagram and Twitter.
Quaden’s mother has continued to dispel the rumors and warned people of the fake accounts.
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