Comic Brad Williams Raises $500K for Bullied Boy

Comic Brad Williams Raises $500K for Bullied Boy

Comedian Brad Williams knows the pain of being bullied. He experienced it firsthand growing up as a little person. That’s why when he saw a video of a young boy named Quinton Bayles in Australia, who was being bullied for his dwarfism and saying he didn’t want to live anymore, Williams felt a deep connection. He decided to act, starting a GoFundMe to bring Quinton to Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth, for a special day.

What started as a simple act of kindness quickly turned into something much bigger. The GoFundMe video went viral, capturing the attention of people around the world. Even celebrities like Hugh Jackman, known for playing Wolverine, tweeted about the fundraiser. Williams was amazed by the outpouring of support.

A Generous Twist

When Williams and his team spoke with Quinton and his family, they were met with incredible generosity. Instead of accepting the money for a trip, Quinton and his mom wanted the funds to go to charity. This young boy, who had been through so much, wanted to help others facing similar struggles.

The family said, “Nah, man. We want the money to go to charity.”

In the end, over half a million dollars was raised and split between anti-bullying and anti-suicide charities. This act of kindness from Quinton inspired many, showing the world his strength and compassion. Quinton is now doing well, even landing roles as an extra in TV shows, including one of the Game of Thrones series.

Battling Misinformation

The viral nature of the fundraiser also brought unexpected challenges. Some people spread lies, claiming Williams was trying to keep the money for himself. They pointed to a picture of Quinton wearing a Gucci shirt, saying he was already rich. Williams explained that GoFundMe has strict rules about how the money can be used, but the experience opened his eyes to how quickly fake news can spread.

This taught him a valuable lesson about doing good deeds. While he still wants to help people, the negativity he faced made him reconsider how he shares his efforts. He now prefers to do good things quietly, away from the spotlight, to avoid such backlash. This is a tough reality for someone who wants to make a positive impact.

Finding New Ways to Give Back

Williams has found creative ways to continue supporting causes he cares about. He once organized a fundraiser called “Lift Brad Lift Soldiers” where people could donate to military charities in exchange for the chance to pick him up. This initiative successfully raised a lot of money, showing his commitment to finding new ways to help without seeking public attention.

He also spoke about the unique bond shared among little people. When he sees another person with dwarfism in public, there’s an immediate sense of kinship and understanding. This connection is similar to the one he sees between his Black opening acts and other Black people they encounter, especially in the South.

Community and Connection

Williams still attends little people conventions, not for personal reasons, but to connect with his community and, more recently, to introduce his six-year-old daughter to this part of his life. He shared a touching experience of seeing his and his friends’ children playing together at a convention, a full-circle moment for him.

While conventions are primarily for little people, they are open to everyone. However, they are protective against individuals who may try to exploit or sexualize dwarf women. Williams mentioned bringing comedian Jim Jefferies to a convention once, and he had a very positive experience.

Love is Love

The conversation also touched on dating and relationships. Williams discussed how some people question if relationships involving dwarf women and taller men are based on fetishes. He emphasized that what matters is genuine connection and happiness, not outside opinions.

He shared that his own wife, who is not a little person, didn’t set out to marry a dwarf. They met, and their love worked out. Williams believes that love is love, and people should be with whomever makes them happy. It’s a message of acceptance and understanding that resonates deeply.

Source: $500K For Bullied Little Person Who Didn’t Want To Exist Anymore – Brad Williams Shares Real Story (YouTube)