11 year old attempts suicide after being bullied for liking MLP

[Cerim Treascair]

We in the pony fandom have been taken advantage of before... I hate the idea that this might be a scam, and I'm genuinely worried that it is.

What's worse is that the backlash then resounds and bounces off other, genuine things that need help and situations like this.  And most will turn their backs on it because they've been burned by scammers.

[chitoryu12]

The brony community is also an easy target for scams like this. Making a story about a young member of the fandom nearly killing himself is the perfect way to get hundreds or even thousands to donate; I think they're nearing $20,000 in donations right now.

[chitoryu12]

There's been some more looking into it by the same people I mentioned before. Behind the spoiler tag is the current set of facts that one listed as we know:

(click to show/hide)

Spread
* About 4-5 days ago, this story broke on Equestria Daily and Reddit.
* It was posted by the mother, who also opened Facebook and Twitter accounts for her son.
* Also was posted to George Takei's facebook page, because his preaches acceptance.

Confirmation
* Equestria Daily and the people who ran the charity stream are the only sources of confirmation. This is after they talked to the family.
* Some of the VA's have expressed their support, claiming it's true after talking to the family. However, some of them have deleted their links.
* A fundraiser was set up after talking to the family.
* Photo's released over Twitter of a young boy in a neck brace. He is surrounded by plush ponies.

Concerning Factors
* All confirmations have either been through the phone or Skype. No one has met him IRL.

* Official story is Michael attempted suicide due to excessive bullying for liking MLP
* One post by an aunt mentions Michael attempted suicide after a fight with his brother.
* Mother acknowledges the fight, but claims it had nothing to do with the suicide attempt.
* Mother asks people stop discussing the validity of her claims and rumors.

* Information of where to send gifts is being withheld from the public.
* To get this information, one must contact the fundraisers who have "confirmed" this story.

* Someone claiming be a friend of the family makes anonymous posts on Equestria Daily, saying it's real.
* Said person also admits to never having met Michael, claiming she lives 2-3 hours away and went to school with the mother.

* Family goes to bronies, asking for donations.
* They also want this story to go viral.
* No media coverage in 4-5 days. Not even a local newspaper.

* Comments were disabled on a youtube video for the recovery campaign.

* Donation email goes to a business. Donation Website is ran by a non-relative.

* Whenever donation website meets a goal, it raises it. Currently over $20,000 raised, which is the current goal.

[mellenORL]

Take all that in together, in context; scam.

[Witchyjoshy]

I'm starting to think it was a good idea for me to urge Rusty to not donate yet.

I'm going to upgrade that suggestion to "don't donate ever."

[Cerim Treascair]

Well, that's depressing... I'll holler at Sethisto, see if we can't get a news post going about this.

[WatermelonRat]

Take all that in together, in context; scam.

It's real.

(click to show/hide)

[Caitshidhe]

THE ABOVE PICTURE IS THE AFOREMENTIONED PICTURE OF A YOUNG BOY IN A NECK BRACE IN A HOSPITAL BED WITH TUBES STICKING OUT OF HIM. DO NOT CLICK IF THIS BOTHERS YOU.

Now that that's out of the way...

...said picture was mentioned before and all it shows is a boy in a hospital bed with some plus My Little Ponies around him. MLP is a popular show and, unfortunately, there is no shortage of ill or injured children who are fans of it. The existence of this picture isn't definitive proof that the whole story is true. The number of concerning factors is still too big to ignore.

A sick part of me is just hoping at this point that the story is, indeed, true. Because at this point the only alternative is that someone is using sympathy and exploiting the public--including using a picture of someone's injured or ill child--just to get money under the guise of donations.

[Søren]

I still think this is a scam. I just REALLY want to see the reaction from people that didnt do their research on what they were donating to

[I am lizard]

I still think this is a scam. I just REALLY want to see the reaction from people that didnt do their research on what they were donating to

I will say I would like to say I would want to see brony rage directed at something productive, rather than bitching about shitty blogs being removed or a character getting wings.

[WatermelonRat]

I still think this is a scam. I just REALLY want to see the reaction from people that didnt do their research on what they were donating to

There are now several news articles about him, including an ABC one that contains a video showing an interview with the parents.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=9418200
http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2014/02/11-yr-old-boy-bullied-for-being-a-brony-fighting-for-life-after-suicide-attempt-how-you-can-help/
http://www.heavy.com/news/2014/02/my-little-pony-fan-bullied-michael-morones/

There's also a note regarding it from the company that employs his stepfather:
http://www.playteamtrivia.com/news.php?id=78

It's good to keep a healthy sense of skepticism when it comes to things on the internet, but at this point it's starting to feel more like denialism.

[mellenORL]

My heart goes out to that little boy, and now I will contribute to his recovery fund. It is still kind of disconcerting that it took 10 days for the story to break in the mainstream media, though. Skepticism when it comes to viral stories is a very healthy thing, too, considering how many of these appeals turn out to be fraudulent. I sincerely wish this one Had been fraudulent, for Michael Morone's sake.

[JohnE]

It sounds like his parents were very supportive, which I guess goes to show just how deeply bullying can effect you. My own experience in middle school was similar, a supportive home but bullied at school, and I too contemplated taking my life. I hope he pulls through without too much permanent damage.

[ironbite]

Good.  Glad this is real.  Well not that it's real but you know what I mean.

Ironbite-I'll just let myself out.

[Witchyjoshy]

Good.  Glad this is real.  Well not that it's real but you know what I mean.

Ironbite-I'll just let myself out.

I understand what you were trying to say even if you couldn't say it