Facts the world ignored: Quaden Bayles' real age
False claims against Quaden Bayles’ age have caused the internet to revolt against the young nine-year-old, as supporters rush to his defence and provide “proof” of his real age.
The young Australian boy who lives with a condition called achondroplasia dwarfism, captivated the world after his mother shared a heartbreaking video showing the impact of bullying and how it pushed her precious boy to have suicidal thoughts.
Yarraka Bayles, who has been an outspoken advocate for indigenous issues and dwarfism, shared the video of her son Quaden to her Facebook on Wednesday, after picking him up from school “in hysterics”.
The clip went viral quickly as it depicted a distraught nine-year-old in tears, saying he wanted “to die” due to the bullying he receives at school.
People across the world, including celebrities like Hugh Jackman, rushed to his aid to offer immense support for Quaden.
A GoFundMe page to send Quaden to Disneyland has raised over $US466,512 ($A706,306).
It was stated any remaining funds after covering the cost of Quaden's flights, hotel, tickets and food would be donated to charity.
However, just hours after the video was uploaded and reached people across the world, a rumour depicting Quaden as a liar was set alight and caught on like wildfire.
The false claims seem to have originated from a post on Facebook which went on to circulate on Twitter and Instagram claiming the boy’s plight was a scam.
“Just so you know he scammed everybody … he’s 18, has plenty of money and yeah everyone fell for it,” the person wrote.
The “proof” provided by the Facebook user offered up included posts from his supposed 18th birthday.
People rushed to his defence, but the post could not be stopped even when Quaden’s mother took to Facebook to share a post by a woman who said she had “known Quaden since before this s**t blew up”.
“Ima (sic) say this once and that’s that. I’ve know about Quaden since before this s**t blew up. Yes, he’s 9! Dwarfism is not a joke, is he a model or actor?
“ … so are a lot of kids … That doesn’t mean s**t!”
Numerous social media users have also jumped to the boy’s defence, and shamed the people spreading rumour about Quaden, saying there is plenty of “proof” against it.
Interestingly enough, the viral footage of Quaden is not the first the world has seen of him. For many years, the nine-year-old has appeared on news programs and TV documentaries showcasing his family and the way they live.
A video from 2015 shows a four-year-old Quaden appearing with his mum on Studio 10 to raise awareness for dwarfism.
It is so weird and wrong to even need to prove this but for anyone who still believes the ridiculous conspiracy theory Quaden Bayles is an adult, here he is on @Studio10au in 2015, aged four. NB No front teeth. We will blow this open next week: https://t.co/kgSLoHsh1c
— Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) February 22, 2020
That same year Quaden is also seen on an episode of the SBS show Living Black, which covered the issues affecting people in the Aboriginal community.
The episode is about him preparing to have surgery on his brain and spine. During the show he is once again described as a four-year-old boy.
Despite rumours showing him as an 18-year-old posing at his alleged birthday party, closer looks at the photographs shows it was snapped of him at a birthday party of a friend named Garlen.
A printed-out photo of Quaden posing with a group of older boys has the words, “Garlen’s 18th birthday” written underneath it.
Those who doubted the youngster also took a hit at his online presence and the fact he had a talent profile made for him that lists him as an actor, extra, model and influencer.
Though some have said his past experiences in these fields prove he is older than he says, his profile appears to prove the exact opposite.
In his biography on the website, it states he is eight years old, though it is unclear when this was last updated.
Another form of “proof” people gave to paint Quaden as a person lying about his age is a photograph showing Ms Bayles and her son each holding a glass of what looks to be wine, but turns out is Appletiser– a sparkling apple juice.
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