Bullying didn't kill the spark of kindness in young boy Kyler Davila's heart. The Colorado student was bullied and stabbed in school but he aims to turn things around for his fellow children who are also being tormented.
Davila, a student at Carmel Middle School in Colorado Springs, said that he was being bullied in school because he "didn't have really good shoes," NBC4 reported. In October, Davila was stabbed by a fellow pupil when a fight occurred in the school.
Davila said that he used to have casts on his legs because he walked on his tippy toes. Now, he's wearing AFOs or ankle-foot orthosis, a brace made of plastic and worn on the lower leg. The brace makes its wearer's feet look "really big." Other children bully Davila because of this and oftentimes, the boy would be crying when he got home from school.
Davila's mom, Sherise Nipper, said that her son's bullies were calling him "all kinds of bad names at school" and assuming that they are living "in a dumpster" because they can't afford shoes. Nipper said that Kyler could "very well have responded with anger and he could have fought back" but instead he "responded with love."
Davila began collecting donated shoes and giving them away to children who are also being bullied in school. Those who benefited have touching messages for Davila, saying that the boy helped them "go to school the next day and be proud."
Davila's selfless act has sparked interest and support from other people, too. In October, he was visited by his favorite rapper, Lil Flip, who told Davila that he will help him start his own shoe company. Davila plans to donate shoes once a week or once every two weeks and if he gets his own shoe company, he wants one pair of shoes to be donated for every single pair that's bought by customers.
Those who are interested to help Davila can bring their new or gently-used shoes or new socks to WP Nation, which is situated at 2509 Platte Place in Colorado Springs. Kids who need shoes can ask for Davila's help via Facebook or Instagram.
Bullying is most prevalent in middle schools, with 25 percent of the incidents happening in that educational stage, according to CDC. Bullying occurs at least once a week in middle schools.
Children who are bullied are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, and issues in sleep and eating patterns, StopBullying listed. They may also lose interest in activities that they once partake in and have lower academic achievement.
