In the heart of Texas, an 11-year-old boy named Shayden Walker embarked on a quest for friendship that would soon touch hearts worldwide.
Living in Amarillo, Shayden decided to approach his neighbor’s house one day, hoping to find playmates his age.
Speaking through the security camera at the front door, he said, “Um, I just wanted to see if you knew any kids around like 11 or 12, maybe. I need some friends, like really bad.”
His neighbor, Brennan Ray, responded through the camera, suggesting some kids lived nearby.
But Shayden had a heartbreaking revelation: “They’re not my friends anymore because they’re bullies.”
The conversation continued, with Shayden asking if Ray had any children he could play with.
Unfortunately, Ray’s daughter was too young to be a playmate.
Moved by the interaction, Ray decided to share the video on TikTok, hoping to connect Shayden with his family.
He captioned the video, “You never know what people are going through until you get a chance to talk to them. This young man is well mannered, kind, and brave. So TikTok, can we help Shayden make some friends?”
The video quickly went viral, amassing nearly 69 million views.
Shayden’s mother, Krishna Patterson, revealed that her son has been diagnosed with several conditions, including autism, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
These challenges have made it difficult for Shayden to maintain friendships and often lead to emotional “meltdowns.”
Moreover, Shayden has been a victim of bullying, which has further isolated him.
When asked why he approached the Rays’ house, Shayden told USA TODAY, “I just really wanted to get to know these people.”
He remembered the Rays because their dog had once wandered into his yard.
After his visit and the overwhelming response from the TikTok community, Shayden said he felt “pretty good.”
He has even made friends from as far away as Hawaii, China, Australia, and England.
Initially, Krishna was worried that the video might invite more ridicule for Shayden.
However, she was relieved and overjoyed when the opposite happened.
“When that didn’t happen, the relief that washed over me and the pure joy that people actually were showing compassion, that was huge,” she said.
In response to the outpouring of support, Ray and his wife, Angell, started a GoFundMe campaign for Shayden.
The fundraiser collected over $37,000, which Shayden can use for anything he wants, from a gaming setup to school clothes and amusement park tickets.
Shayden’s generosity didn’t stop there.
He expressed a desire to donate some of the money to tornado relief groups, the war in Ukraine, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
His family also plans to use some of the funds for a vacation, as Shayden hasn’t been on one since he was a toddler.
Shayden’s story has taught the world a lesson in kindness and acceptance.
Ray emphasized the importance of giving everyone a chance, as we never know what battles people are fighting internally.
He said of Shayden, “He is a beautiful soul. His happiness is infectious and his smile is infectious. He’s a good kid.”
See Shayden and his new friends in the video below.
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