Quote: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.

"He's the kid that never walks. He dances everywhere," said Michael's mother, Tiffany Morones-Suttle. "He's so full of energy. He's always on the move.

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.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?sectio...id=9418200

With all these suicides being glorified by the media and the “victims” being written as martyrs, you can expect more and more suicides. I am certain this is the exact reaction Michael intended to cause when he made the decision to kill himself.

4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

(02-05-2014 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

4Chan is the cesspool of the internet compared to places like Reddit and here. I only go on Reddit.

Bullying is a real problem. My son was being bullied back in junior high by some kid. He came to me to talk about it. I told him to just haul off and let him have it. We would handle the consequences. Well, he did. Got suspended for 3 day. He was never, ever bullied again. I know that solution doesn't work in all cases, but it worked in his.

(02-05-2014 10:45 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  Bullying is a real problem. My son was being bullied back in junior high by some kid. He came to me to talk about it. I told him to just haul off and let him have it. We would handle the consequences. Well, he did. Got suspended for 3 day. He was never, ever bullied again. I know that solution doesn't work in all cases, but it worked in his.

I'd probably handle the situation the same way.

It would depend on the level of bullying of course, but if it was brutal and persistent, I'd probably tell my son (if I had one) to do the exact same thing.

Hell, I'd rather him confront it and punch a kid in the face and get suspended than bury the pain and end up cracking and shooting up the school later.

Blame teachers and public school in 3...2...1...

(02-05-2014 10:45 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  Bullying is a real problem. My son was being bullied back in junior high by some kid. He came to me to talk about it. I told him to just haul off and let him have it. We would handle the consequences. Well, he did. Got suspended for 3 day. He was never, ever bullied again. I know that solution doesn't work in all cases, but it worked in his.

I'd call that strong parenting.

(02-05-2014 10:45 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  Bullying is a real problem. My son was being bullied back in junior high by some kid. He came to me to talk about it. I told him to just haul off and let him have it. We would handle the consequences. Well, he did. Got suspended for 3 day. He was never, ever bullied again. I know that solution doesn't work in all cases, but it worked in his.

Yep, that is step one. It already has worked for my 5 year old. The 6 year old next door that is a bit bigger likes to assert his authority, even though they generally get along ok and are friends. I told my 5 year old to fight him and he'd stop bossing him around. Told him even if the other kid wins, he won't want to go through it again. I was surprised when my little one fought him to a stalemate, but this was 3 months ago and the kid hasn't tried to boss mine around since. Unfortunately, this is only an option through about 8th grade. Once in high school, having that suspension on your record becomes problematic to your future.

(02-05-2014 10:56 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 10:45 AM)EagleRockCafe Wrote:  Bullying is a real problem. My son was being bullied back in junior high by some kid. He came to me to talk about it. I told him to just haul off and let him have it. We would handle the consequences. Well, he did. Got suspended for 3 day. He was never, ever bullied again. I know that solution doesn't work in all cases, but it worked in his.

Yep, that is step one. It already has worked for my 5 year old. The 6 year old next door that is a bit bigger likes to assert his authority, even though they generally get along ok and are friends. I told my 5 year old to fight him and he'd stop bossing him around. Told him even if the other kid wins, he won't want to go through it again. I was surprised when my little one fought him to a stalemate, but this was 3 months ago and the kid hasn't tried to boss mine around since. Unfortunately, this is only an option through about 8th grade. Once in high school, having that suspension on your record becomes problematic to your future.

I agree with telling your kid to fight back. It's very effective. However, it doesn't work in all cases. My daughter was terrified of one girl who kept bothering her. I even reported it to the school but they weren't helpful.

I put my kid in kung fu and she learned some moves gained some confidence. Turns out, the girl stopped messing with her and my daughter didn't have to fight.

(02-05-2014 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

Umm...what did you expect to find at that link?

(02-05-2014 11:01 AM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

Umm...what did you expect to find at that link?

He was probably hoping he could find something else to post here since all he posts is stuff about gays.

(02-05-2014 11:01 AM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:19 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  4Chan had a less than sensitive comment on the subject...

What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

Umm...what did you expect to find at that link?

Comments on this story or similar stories.

(02-05-2014 11:02 AM)Niner National Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 11:01 AM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:55 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:41 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 09:32 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  What is 4Chan?

The underbelly of the Internet. It's a website.

I only ever see the screenshots on Reddit but it's funny as hell.

***WARNING***

Just Googled 4Chan and went on the website and a gay porn image was on the site... on my work computer when I clicked on the LGBT link.

Umm...what did you expect to find at that link?

He was probably hoping he could find something else to post here since all he posts is stuff about gays.

When does HoD ever post about gays?

There are always bad-news stories out there, but the "bullied kid" ones are among the hardest to read. Young minds, not mature enough yet to process and manage it, all alone walking through the hell of school hallways, and probably getting harrassed with our wonderful "online social networking sites" nowadays too.

I wasn't bullied in school, but I really empathize with the kids who are.

I'd never condone a bullied kid taking a gun to school and 'popping' a few of his tormentors. But I understand.

This is a sad story, but kids need to stop being so sensitive and learn to ignore bullies. My 11 year old has been getting pretty mean to his brothers and I've noticed that he seems kind of sad when I have them all on my weekends because he hates living at his moms and wants to stay with me. I asked him if he'd been bullied at school and he said no, and promised me that if he ever was then he'd tell me. He's a good kid, honor student, so some of the dumber kids have given him sh*t in the past that he shook off. I'd tell him just like my dad told me when I was getting bullied, kick that son of a b*tch in the nuts. It worked for me.

(02-05-2014 11:20 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  There are always bad-news stories out there, but the "bullied kid" ones are among the hardest to read. Young minds, not mature enough yet to process and manage it, all alone walking through the hell of school hallways, and probably getting harrassed with our wonderful "online social networking sites" nowadays too.

I wasn't bullied in school, but I really empathize with the kids who are.

I'd never condone a bullied kid taking a gun to school and 'popping' a few of his tormentors. But I understand.

I think social media is one of the biggest problems. I forgot we didn't have to deal with it when I was in school... Things were so much better before it.

Yeah, no matter how much hell you caught at school, home was always a sanctuary from it. Now, not so much.

Kids can still unplug, but that takes a pretty strong-willed kid, and those aren't the ones being bullied.

My 15 year old daughter was catching some grief and decided to kill her facebook page.