Seth Walsh
According to his Grandparents, thirteen year old Seth knew he was gay from a very early age. Before Seth "came out" he was bullied for the way he dressed, how he spoke and his mannerisms which is all the bullies needed to reach the conclusion that Seth was a "fag" and a "queer".
Like most instances of bullying, it began with teasing, which escalated into harassment and finally, physical abuse. Seth's family and friends say that he was bullied at school, on the internet, on the telephone - basically everywhere he went. they say the bullying was persistent, severe and cruel.
When Seth finally did "come out" and tell his family that he was gay, they all supported him unconditionally. His Grandparents say that he didn't want to be different, didn't want to be gay because he knew hard difficult life could be for gay people. His Mother did all she could to prepare him for the possible harsh realities of life where homophobia exists in every corner of society. Seth knew there was nothing he could do to change who he was. He was gay and he had to deal with it as best he could.
Like most instances of bullying, it began with teasing, which escalated into harassment and finally, physical abuse. Seth's family and friends say that he was bullied at school, on the internet, on the telephone - basically everywhere he went. they say the bullying was persistent, severe and cruel.
When Seth finally did "come out" and tell his family that he was gay, they all supported him unconditionally. His Grandparents say that he didn't want to be different, didn't want to be gay because he knew hard difficult life could be for gay people. His Mother did all she could to prepare him for the possible harsh realities of life where homophobia exists in every corner of society. Seth knew there was nothing he could do to change who he was. He was gay and he had to deal with it as best he could.
His family became very protective of him, his brothers and sister especially so. Seth was a quiet, sensitive boy who simply endured the things that happened to him. It wasn't in his nature to fight back. He simply started to avoid people and avoid going out. He started suffering with anxiety as the bullying grew worse.
He was afraid to go to school. He was afraid to walk outside his home. He was afraid to go online or answer the telephone. He did all he could to avoid the bullies, but the harsh reality was that he could not avoid them at school. Walking the hallways between classes was especially hard for Seth as he would usually experience a tirade of abuse from bullies.
He was afraid to go to school. He was afraid to walk outside his home. He was afraid to go online or answer the telephone. He did all he could to avoid the bullies, but the harsh reality was that he could not avoid them at school. Walking the hallways between classes was especially hard for Seth as he would usually experience a tirade of abuse from bullies.
Seth's Grandparents say the breaking point came after what they believe was a bullying incident in a local park on September 19th 2010. After the incident, Seth appeared to be acting normally at home. He showered and asked to borrow a pen from his mother to write. Then he said he was going to play with the dogs in the backyard. A short while later, Seth's Mother went out to find him hanging from a tree. She struggled to cut him down but there were few signs of life. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he remained for over a week on a life support machine.
When it became apparent that Seth had virtually no chance of recovery, the heartbreaking decision to take Seth off life support was made and the youngster finally died. Seth's organs were donated after his death and his heart saved the life of a young boy in Los Angeles.
Almost 600 people attended his Funeral service where he was remembered as a sweet, kind boy who would happily do anything to help anyone. Of all the eulogies given at Seth's funeral, the most poignant was that given by his eleven year old brother, Shawn....
When it became apparent that Seth had virtually no chance of recovery, the heartbreaking decision to take Seth off life support was made and the youngster finally died. Seth's organs were donated after his death and his heart saved the life of a young boy in Los Angeles.
Almost 600 people attended his Funeral service where he was remembered as a sweet, kind boy who would happily do anything to help anyone. Of all the eulogies given at Seth's funeral, the most poignant was that given by his eleven year old brother, Shawn....
"Seth was the best big brother in the world - no, the galaxy. I always wanted to protect him. I just wish people could have been nice to him like my mom taught me." - Shawn Walsh, Seth's younger brother