IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Bullied for how he looks, boy adopts a special cat who shares his differences

Madden Humphreys felt bad after kids bullied him for looking different. But everything changed when he met Moon.
/ Source: TODAY

Last year was a difficult one for Madden Humphreys. His classmates at school were bullying him for how he looked.

Madden, 7, was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. In addition to having a scar from repair surgeries, he has heterochromia iridium, which means his eyes are two different colors.

Christina Humphreys, Madden's mom, was troubled by her son's sadness.

“He is the spunky one in the family. He is usually just completely full of life and happy and fun to be with,” Humphreys, 33, of Owasso, Oklahoma, told TODAY.

Even though Madden Humphreys was born with a cleft lip and palate, he never felt insecure about his differences until his peers started bullying him.
Even though Madden Humphreys was born with a cleft lip and palate, he never felt insecure about his differences until his peers started bullying him.Courtesy Christina Humphreys

“He wasn’t (insecure) until other kids started pointing it out to him and then saying not nice things to him,” said Humphreys, adding that she wasn’t sure how to help her son.

Never miss a parenting story with the TODAY Parenting newsletter! Sign up here.

On Facebook one day, Humphreys stumbled upon a photo of something amazing: It was a rescue cat named Moon, who had two different colored eyes and a cleft lip.

Bullies have been making Madden Humphreys feel insecure about his two different colored eyes and cleft lip. But a cat with a cleft lip and two different colored eyes is making him feel better.
Bullies have been making Madden Humphreys feel insecure about his two different colored eyes and cleft lip. But a cat with a cleft lip and two different colored eyes is making him feel better.Courtesy Christina Humphreys

“The eyes alone would have been a big deal. When I saw the cleft, we had a conversation about … how it was amazing they were both born completely unique,” Humphreys said.

Humphreys was determined to adopt Moon for her son, but there was a problem. Moon lived at a shelter in Minnesota and the shelter’s policy prohibited the Humphreys from adopting the cat without visiting. It is a 22-hour round trip drive and the gas and hotel money were an extra financial strain for the Humphreys.

“I didn’t think there was any way it was possible,” Humphreys said.

With the help of family friends, who arranged a fundraiser, the family soon had enough money for gas and a hotel to visit Minnesota. Humphreys hoped Moon would still be there.

A cat named Moon has been helping Madden Humphreys feel better about his differences.
A cat named Moon has been helping Madden Humphreys feel better about his differences.Courtesy Christina Humphreys

When they arrived, Moon sauntered right up to Madden.

“They honestly took to each other right away,” she said. “We were meant to love that cat.”

More than a week ago, Moon returned with them and has been adjusting to life with his new family. When he gets scared, he looks for Madden. Humphreys says Moon helps Madden cope with being bullied.

“Madden has been beaming,” she said. “I tell Madden all the time he is magical, and I think Moon helps him realize how special he is.”

Humphreys shared Madden and Moon’s story on Facebook and more than 5,000 people reacted to it with overwhelmingly positive support. And, she feels glad that her son and his cat are teaching others that being different is awesome.

A cat named Moon helps Madden Humphreys realize being born different is "magical."
A cat named Moon helps Madden Humphreys realize being born different is "magical."Courtesy Christina Humphreys

“Spreading awareness about craniofacial differences and bullying is absolutely incredible. I love that those two things are getting attention,” she said. “I am blown away by how wonderful people have been.”