‘My Little Pony’ Fan Bullied, Pre-Teen ‘Brony’ Attempts Suicide

A My Little Pony fan, or a “brony” as the fans call themselves, attempted suicide after being bullied for his love of the show.

My Little Pony was originally a cartoon in the 80s which followed in the footsteps of its more macho counterparts, G.I. Joe and Transformers. What made the ponies interesting at first was the unique symbols on both sides of their hindquarters. The cartoon has seen several updates over the years, but the most recent has been less gender-specific, featuring the ponies now with their own super powers. The latest incarnation is called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

The public perception may have grown more lenient, but there are still some who mock those with an affinity toward the show. Michael Morones is a My Little Pony fan who was a victim of such peer attacks, and the ridicule allegedly drove him to attempt suicide. On the night of January 23, the 11 year old “brony” hung himself from the bedpost of his bunk bed.

Michael Morones of North Carolina had always been the energetic kind beforehand, as his mother Tiffany explained, “He’s the kid that never walks. He dances everywhere. He’s so full of energy. He’s always on the move.”

Michael was reportedly even a chipper one in the face of the numerous bullies who didn’t like his appreciation for the show. Having been diagnosed with ADHD, his favorite character from the show was reportedly Pinkie Pie, the one he allegedly had the most in common with.

Now the North Carolina “brony” is in the hospital with tubes down his throat and possible long term brain damage due to oxygen to his brain having been cut off.

Tiffany Morones-Suttle told the press, “We won’t know for months how much is going to heal. It could even be years before we find out what potential for healing he has.”

Fans across the internet are rallying their support for young Michael, some possibly having been bullied themselves and finding the situation something they can relate to. His parents have even learned a few things from the show, and aren’t going after the bullies because the show itself says it’s wrong to do so.

His stepfather, Shannon Suttle, added his personal thoughts on the matter:

“Michael was upset because the kids were calling him gay for liking a girls’ TV show. His mom and I, well, we told him that it didn’t matter what other people think. It only matters what he thinks. … Michael is deeply religious, and he turned to his faith. He asked to start taking confirmation classes, and he carried a little Bible with him everywhere. He told us that he would sit at a table at lunchtime and recite Bible verses to himself, and it brought him great joy.”

Apparently the lack of support from his peers had driven My Little Pony fan Michael Morones past the point he was emotionally able to deal with. Thanks to “bronies” across the internet, he is now getting that support. The voice actors and actresses behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic even responded to a message from his mother and recorded personal messages for him, beginning with Andrea Libman, the voice actress for Pinkie Pie. Listening to those messages brings increased activity on the EEG, his mother says.

This is the saddest thing I’ve seen this week. Who bullies a kid over liking My Little Pony? http://t.co/yRPALouBVl

— James Eric Dillane (@Tor_Grit) February 4, 2014

My Little Pony fan Michael Morones is now in a North Carolina hospital, fans and family hoping for the swelling in his brain to go down. A tracheotomy is scheduled for this week.

If you would like to contribute to the recovery of Michael Morones, click here.