Heartbroken mother recalls moment a bully hurled cruel abuse at her physically disabled son

The heartbroken mother of a young disabled boy has recalled the cruel moment a bully hurled abuse at her son while he played at a park.

Alicia Down’s six-year-old son Brady has cerebral palsy as well as the neurological disorder Moebius Syndrome. 

The latter effects the use of several nerves, and has caused partial paralysis in certain areas of the young boy’s face.

As a result of his Moebius Syndrome, Brady, who hails from Perth in Western Australia, is unable to smile, frown, pucker the lips, raise the eyebrows or blink. 

Alicia Down’s (pictured) six-year-old son Brady (pictured) has cerebral palsy as well as the neurological disorder Moebius Syndrome

As a result of his Moebius Syndrome, Brady (pictured) is unable to smile, frown, pucker the lips, raise the eyebrows or blink

As a result of his Moebius Syndrome, Brady (pictured) is unable to smile, frown, pucker the lips, raise the eyebrows or blink

Ms Down spoke of her heartbreak when she took her son to a park only to hear another child harass him.

‘Brady was greeted by another little boy about the same age as him saying ‘aw yuck, you’re a freak!’ with a look of disgust,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.

‘The words stung like a knife to the heart as they were said to him. It makes me feel incredibly sad that this was not the first nor the last time he will hear nastiness.’

‘In fact, it happens far too often.’ 

While her son has different physical capabilities, she said his appearance in no way shapes who he is on the inside.

‘Brady may not be able to physically smile but he is a still a happy, bubbly and sociable little boy who just wants to be friends with everyone he meets,’ she said.

Brady has two older brothers, Campbell and Oakley who are his most staunch defenders. 

Ms Down recalls countless times when the boys have come to Brady’s aid, telling passersby ‘it’s rude to stare’ when their eyes linger on their little brother too long.

‘We are more than happy to answer questions of curiosity from people but rude comments and stares are not acceptable,’ Ms Down said.  

Brady has two older brothers, Campbell and Oakley who are his most staunch defenders

Brady has two older brothers, Campbell and Oakley who are his most staunch defenders

She notes her two eldest already 'endure unwanted attention', and worries that as Brady gets older and begins to understand what is happening a little more it may begin to negatively effect him too

She notes her two eldest already ‘endure unwanted attention’, and worries that as Brady gets older and begins to understand what is happening a little more it may begin to negatively effect him too

She is concerned at how the stares and comments like the one made against Brady at the park may effect him in the future.

She notes her two eldest already ‘endure unwanted attention’, and worries that as Brady gets older and begins to understand what is happening a little more it may begin to negatively effect him too.

While her local community are nothing but supportive and treat Brady just as he deserves; no differently to anybody else, Ms Down says it’s the wider community who are often less understanding or aware. 

She said it’s during outings like these that Brady is the subject of stares and comments, which happen often.

The local community are nothing but supportive and treat Brady just as he deserves; no differently to anybody else

The local community are nothing but supportive and treat Brady just as he deserves; no differently to anybody else

At the same playground in which Brady was targeted, and by the same child, Brady was told he was ‘scary.’

Ms Down said she tried to explain to the little boy that what he’d been saying wasn’t very nice, and that everybody was different.

‘But this kid just didn’t seem to get it and kept on saying it… of course his parents were nowhere to be seen during either encounter,’ she went on to say. 

Brady’s conditions impact his mobility, and the family have to be especially careful on windy days to keep his eyes lubricated and avoid any dust or sand getting in them.

He uses a walking aid for short distances and has a wheelchair for longer distances. 

His brothers frequently attend his medical appointments, even if it means missing out on sport or other commitments.

But Ms Down says they never complain, and take day to day life in their stride.

‘They’re an amazing support to him and they all share a very close bond. They adore and help care, motivate and advocate for him,’ she said. 

'They're an amazing support to him and they all share a very close bond. They adore and help care, motivate and advocate for him,' Ms Down said of Brady's older brothers

‘They’re an amazing support to him and they all share a very close bond. They adore and help care, motivate and advocate for him,’ Ms Down said of Brady’s older brothers

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk