Aussie mum unleashes at brutal bullies targeting her son for being in a wheelchair

A heartbroken mother called out cruel internet 'trolls' who made fun of her son's haircut and wheelchair after he appeared in an Officeworks ad.

The mother sent a message to Australian journalist and podcaster Jacqueline Felgate after seeing the horrid response to her son Cooper's ad, shared by Officeworks on Facebook earlier this month.

'(It's) 2023, and instead of people seeing the ad for what it is actually about, we have adults commenting on his hair and wheelchair,' the mother wrote.

'I had to laugh when someone wrote he probably wasn't really a wheelchair user.

'He is just a kid doing what he loves and just happens to be a wheelchair user.'

Nasty trolls began making fun of the teen's haircut and wheelchair in comments on the Officeworks Facebook post

The devastated mum then went on to explain the challenges Cooper has faced and said his teenage friends are more understanding than some adults.

'The 15 operations he lives with doesn't stop him from achieving great things,' she said.

'His friends see him for who he is, a hilariously funny and super sporty kid who is fantastic to be around.

'Meanwhile, we have adults taking a dig at him.' 

Cooper's devastated mum shared a message (above) saying her son's teenage friends are more understanding than the adults attacking him online

Australian journalist and podcaster Jacqueline Felgate highlighted the cruel bullying on her Instagram

Commenters under Ms Felgate's post flocked to support Cooper and slammed the nasty messages left on the Facebook ad.

'I hope Cooper is okay. Internet trolls are just the worst,' one person wrote.

'Kindness doesn't come easy to some,' another said.

'What is wrong with people?! Seriously I am not sure when it became acceptable to insult and attack people. These are most likely grown adults, treating a young man like this,' another wrote.

'Literally every second kid at my kid's school has a haircut like this. People can say the meanest things,' one commenter wrote.

A fifth said: 'I don't understand why people need to behave this way. I really, really don't.'

Others wrote the mean comments were an example of ableism and applauded Officeworks' diverse advertising.

Officeworks said the ad was part of campaign featuring 13 students and was 'designed to support inclusion so all children can identify and feel represented'.

'We are deeply disappointed to see some negative and hurtful comments on social media in response to our latest Back to School social media ad, featuring one of our students in a wheelchair,' an an Officeworks spokesperson said.

'Officeworks has zero-tolerance for bullying and anti-social behaviour. 

'Offensive comments have and will continue to be deleted in line with our online community management policy. 

'With support from the family involved, our campaign will continue to run and promote diversity and inclusion in our community while supporting children and families across Australia getting ready for the new school year.'