Amarillo inhabitants came out in drive to present 11-year-old Shayden Walker how considerably they cared about him and to get a stand towards bullying at the “Glow Like Shayden” event at John Rigid Park in Amarillo.
Kyle Tijerina and Keeley McCoy arranged the occasion as a reward bike run from The Handlebar to the park where by anyone could gather to exhibit their guidance for Walker, who not too long ago attained nationwide notice for a viral video clip showing him searching for friendship immediately after remaining bullied.
“We organized this party to increase consciousness in opposition to bullying and to be a voice for those that do not dare to stand up for them selves,” Tijerina claimed. “We are trying to endorse the bravery to stand up towards bullying by achieving out and talking to individuals.”
Tijerina explained the video’s impression reveals that lots of expertise the exact same troubles.
“This strike home for a great deal of men and women that observed or knowledgeable bullying that did not dare to stand up and did not know how to offer with the situation,” Tijerina claimed. “‘It displays that you have aid no subject who you are. We want to present that there are men and women to converse to. We need to build much better camaraderie with our neighborhood to fight bullying.”
Tijerina explained he feels that numerous university shootings and actions like these are a product or service of bullying.
“If another person had almost certainly attained out to them sooner, it could have prevented a catastrophic function,” he claimed.
The younger boy went viral globally when stability digicam footage was shared on Tik Tok, displaying Walker likely to a neighbor to question if any kids his age could perform with him. Brennan Ray was the neighbor who held the conversation with the younger boy and made a decision to put up it to aid connect Walker to close friends. The video clip went viral across Tik Tok, with around 70 million sights as of this week.
Ray mentioned that men and women posted remarks that he should commence a GoFundMe marketing campaign to support Shayden, so he and his spouse Angell commenced up an account that lifted about $37,000,
“We have been not anticipating it to go as viral as it did, Ray explained. “People in the opinions ended up like established up a P.O. Box of a GoFundMe. We just listened to the individuals.”
Ray claims that he was touched by Walker coming to his door and becoming so open about on the lookout for close friends and his bullying.
“Shayden himself touched me in the online video with his infectious smile. He displays to every person in the online video that he was truly achieving out for aid in the video clip so we felt compelled to arrive at out to action up for the child. “I consider this movie touched the environment. If you have been human, you could inform that Shayden was inquiring for enable.
Dustin Patterson, Shayden’s stepfather, reported he was shocked that this interaction and online video experienced so substantially affect.
“We experienced no thought about this video or the GoFundMe right up until it was earlier its goal,” Patterson explained. “Seeing the sheer number of people that attained out to him around the globe to say he is not by itself is incredible. It is overpowering and humbling that several claimed they want to be right here for my son.”
Patterson said 50 percent of the dollars raised will be donated to other results in and charities, with some place into Shayden’s potential. There will be a journey for Shayden due to the fact he has not had a person since he was a toddler.
“The a person issue that I seen about everyone that has arrived at out is that virtually absolutely everyone has regarded a person that is a sufferer of bullying or was a sufferer of bullying by themselves,” Patterson mentioned. “I feel that observing a child that was willing to go out and glimpse for buddies inspite of realizing he has been bullied in the past is nevertheless ready to take that risk, I consider, just hit hard for all people that has gone through that.”
He stated he is grateful for all his son’s assistance and thinks this outpouring of assistance reveals Shayden how much change 1 human being can make.
His mom, Krishna Patterson explained she did not locate out about the movie with his son till about two times later on when her more mature son requested her if she knew that Shayden was famous. Her son reported, “Did you know he is on Tik Tok and has a GoFundMe page?”
Krishna Patterson said her to start with reaction was worry, anger and fear. She mentioned she just wanted it shut down. But, after talking with some others, saw it as a excellent issue for Shayden.
“I was panicked because I believed my son is going to be built a laughingstock,” Krishna Patterson said. “Shayden has presently experienced so quite a few issues with university, with currently being bullied and hopeless. Then when I fulfilled with these individuals, Angel and Brennen, who begun the GoFundMe and shared the video, they are basically going for walks angels.
She stated that she is grateful for their attempts and is touched by all the aid for her son.
“This blew up so speedy they did not even have a prospect to obtain me to start with,” she stated. “‘It is overpowering but also awe-inspiring that Amarillo could come jointly like this from all walks of lifestyle from everyone who has been bullied regardless of whether they are abled or exclusive demands. Shayden always suggests bullying is a darkish and lonely route for the bully or the one becoming bullied. There are folks that you can attain out to simply because you are certainly in pain.”
Shayden Walker was at the party and satisfied numerous in the group who supported him.
“Perfectly, young children can be bullies and I have been a bully as soon as and acquired from that experience,” he mentioned. “It’s overwhelming, but I am delighted that I have now gained all these new close friends. I have discovered that becoming a bully or staying bullied is not great or enjoyment.”
Shayden encourages any one being bullied or is bullying to access out for assistance.
