Here let me get you up to speed. This is Shaundrey Knight-Bryce.
Image courtesy of Peel Regional Police via CP24
I know, a total cutie-pie, right? Shaundrey left his Mississauga home on Monday morning and went to school. He was seen leaving school at the end of the day but never made it home. This boy's mother had no idea where her 11 year old child was for more than 16 hours. She was one of the lucky ones.
Thankfully, Shaundrey has been found safe and sound.
Through the morning, I tweeted his picture to try and help bring awareness to the situation. When he was found, I also tweeted that. And then I received this...
*note: I don't have time to put [sic] everywhere, so just know it applies to all.
"You even know thois [sic] boy?"
This question was asked of me by someone who saw my post via Twitter. Now I admit, at first I was a little taken aback but knowing full well how words get lost in translation online, I put my defenses down and responded;
"No, I don't know Shaundrey. I'm just trying to do my part to help."
Well I guess my gut instincts were right because then this popped up;
"Then why u care so much? Dont [sic] u have anything better to do wit ur life?"
I am not kidding! So now yes, my defenses are back up, rightfully so I think. The fact that I even have to address this is ridiculous, but this entire situation has blown my mind.
I won't be responding back to them from here on (or YOU if you are reading this), but I do have a whole lot to say.
Why did I care? Well there are a million reasons why I care. Why so many people DO care. Why, thankfully, so many people DID care. Why good people, with good values and a kind heart SHOULD care. But let me break it down for you a little more.
Why Did I, A Stranger, Care That An 11 Year Old Boy Is Missing?
Because...First and foremost - he was missing!
He's a little boy.
There are some really sick people in this world.
The more people who were aware & saw his picture, the more likely it was he'd be found - ALIVE!
I love MY son and can not fathom the terror this mother was going through.
Someone in our society needed our help.
Even if he "ran away", he was not safe.
If it weren't for people like ME, people like YOU would ruin our society entirely.
My friends, I have SO much more to say - believe me! But I also need to get some work done. So I will leave you with this;
2 Seconds Can Save Someone's Life
Shaundrey was found because a citizen recognized him from news reports.Situations of missing people have touched my life personally so there is no doubt, I'll be coming back to this at a later date but until then...please do YOUR part to bring children like Shaundrey home when you can. Even if it's just a quick Tweet. It takes 2 seconds and seen by the right person, your 2 seconds can save someone's life.
Helpful Resources for Missing People in Canada:
MissingKids.caCanada's Missing Persons
