The despairing words from Quaden Bayles a nine-year-old boy, expressing his thoughts of self-harming, broke the hearts of millions recently. The video of Quaden, an Indigenous boy with a common form of dwarfism called Achondroplasia, who was bullied by his school mates went viral. His desperate mum shared the video which was viewed more than 25 million times.
It was then that a sea of good-hearted people rallied around this little boy.
Ajay Kumar alias Guinness Pakru, with a height of 76 centimetres, is a well-known movie actor and mimicry artist in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
In an attempt to mentally strengthen little Quaden, Ajay who has gone through similar circumstances during his childhood days, reacted to Quaden's painful video with a couple of Facebook posts sharing his experience.
Through his post, 43-year-old Ajay Kumar who entered the pages of the Guinness Book of World records for being the shortest actor to play a lead character in a full-length movie and for being the shortest film director in the world to direct a full-length movie, tries to cheer up this little boy with his soothing words born out of his experience.
“I have passed through such similar situations like Quaden. I have cried like how he has cried. However I can say, those tears were the fuel that ignited me to reach heights,” says Ajay Kumar to SBS Malayalam
“I wanted to boost Quaden setting myself as an example in front of him. When Quaden’s video went viral, I received umpteen number of messages from people around the world requesting me to react. As I have passed through similar stage, I can very well understand the feelings of the little boy and his mum who is also heart-broken.
“There will definitely a talent hidden in such disabled kids. If you can fill yourself with a positive energy and polish your talent, you will have to cry over your disabilities. You can prove yourself capable of doing what others could do.
It is good to remember that your tears will make your mum disappointed. So be cheerful and fight back the disabilities proving yourself worth to the world,” adds Ajay Kumar.
Ajay Kumar, who is also a judge of many reality shows and has received several accolades in his career has staged many comedy shows showcasing his varied talents to the entire world. According to him, he has faced negligence and teasing even from his close friends.
“I have been excluded from many places because of my disability. I was denied admission in school saying that the big students while walking around could accidentally hit and make me fall,” says Ajay Kumar. He says this incident was the shock of his life.
“Later I got admission in another school where I was happily welcomed and provided with a special chair and table tailored solely for me. This incident gave me the realisation that I will never come out of this problem ever in my life time. I then decided to fight back and never let my emotions overrule my strength to fight.
Source: Facebook
"I tried my hands in various art forms which normal children could perform. Luckily I was successful in most of my attempts. "
“Although there were events specifically meant for disabled students, I never used to involve in any such programs. I tried to display my talents in all activities meant for normal students.
"The realisation that being upset about my disability could reach me nowhere, forced myself to move forward with the whole-hearted support of my parents," he says.
He says that his dwarfism paved the way to grab these victories.
“Of course I believe my disability cleared my path to reach where I am today. I received Guinness world records for being the shortest actor and shortest film director. This is another example of how far a disabled person can step forward."
