11 Yo "Brony" Attempts Suicide After Being Bullied for Liking "My Little Pony"

[Angelahh]

Feb. 3, 2014



RALEIGH (WTVD) -- An 11-year-old boy is in the hospital after trying to commit suicide -- the victim of bullying at school.

It's not a new problem in North Carolina, but this puts a new face on the age-old problem as Michael Morones remains in WakeMed with a tube down his throat and potentially life-long brain damage.

Michael tried to kill himself, apparently because he could no longer take the torrent of bullying he was facing at school.

Michael's parents say he was that way even in the face of daunting bullying at school. Michael likes the cartoon "My Little Pony." It turns out, the cartoon has a growing, and perhaps unlikely fan club -- men and boys known as "Bronies."

Because of that, Michael was teased so much that ten days ago he decided to do something about it.

"He hung himself off the side of the bunk bed, off the railing," said Tiffany.

His parents got him to the hospital, but the damage had already been done. Oxygen to his brain had been cut off.

"We won't know for months how much is going to heal," said Tiffany. "It could even be years before we find out what potential for healing he has."

You might think Michael's parents would be furious with the kids who were bullying their son, but then that wouldn't be in keeping with the show at the center of what they were teasing him about.

"It teaches the most basic moral values to a lot of complex thoughts," said Michael's step-father, Shannon Suttle.

Fans of the show, like Michael, try to live the motto that friendship is magic.

"I've heard a lot of people say you need to go after bullies and hold them responsible," said Tiffany. "But you know, I don't think that's what Mike would want. I would rather teach people how to do right than turn around than punish, because punishment doesn't always work."

Michael has gotten support from as far away as Ireland, and a lot of money, which is used for Michael's care, but also to start a nonprofit to help with bullying.

As Michael's father tells it. It's more than their goal. It's quickly become their mission.

Incredibly, the bullying hasn't stopped. Michael's parents say just Sunday night on a generally supportive website, a few people left very hurtful comments.

They say that just strengthens their resolve to fight bullying, and makes that mission that much more clear.

Bullying prevention expert Nancy Mullin said Michael's age is right in the prime age for suicides.

"Eleven to 15-year-old boys are very much at risk for thinking about suicide when they're perceived as being gay," said Mullin.

She credits Michael's parents with supporting his interest rather than reinforcing shameful feelings.

"The missing piece here is what the school is doing about this," said Mullin.

Mullin says while North Carolina is one of 49 states with bullying prevention laws not enough is being done to implement programs.

Meanwhile, Michael is scheduled to have a tracheotomy Tuesday.





full article with vid

[JohnFrash]

Well... that broke my heart.

[Shakey]

[ices]

These brony freaks need to fuck off and die.

[Kelseecat65]

Originally Posted by JohnFrash

Well... that broke my heart.

Very sad. Pisses me off to think that at 11, this little guy felt that much pressure. Life at that age should not be that difficult.

[DannyDrama]

Originally Posted by Kelseecat65

Very sad. Pisses me off to think that at 11, this little guy felt that much pressure. Life at that age should not be that difficult.

Life is as hard as you make it, I learned that many years ago. Unfortunately, this dude was way too young to understand that openly liking this as a guy is a bad fucking idea.

A friend of mine jumped on this bandwagon a couple years ago and has now given it up but his 2nd arsehole is still bleeding due to the hard times we give him about it.

[subhuman]

a brony would "attempt" suicide.

[Pyramid_Head]

He's only 11, hardly a 'freak'. The bully needs to be held responsible.

[Kanda444]

Originally Posted by DannyDrama

Life is as hard as you make it, I learned that many years ago. Unfortunately, this dude was way too young to understand that openly liking this as a guy is a bad fucking idea.

A friend of mine jumped on this bandwagon a couple years ago and has now given it up but his 2nd arsehole is still bleeding due to the hard times we give him about it.

why? my daughter watches the show and i like it. it's a decent animated show really.

all i watch is cartoons... and i love when people try to make fun of me for it. it's great to then go through the bullshit tv they watch (i guarantee if you watch tv, you watch bullshit too)

[Kanda444]

this kid had more balls than most adults i know (including the adults here). he had the courage to proudly show what he liked..... and, as per usual, the cowards among us took out their insecurities on somebody else.

typical. people are shit.