Back in 1998, Bradley Hobbs was just 18 years old. He was looking for a job in Pataskala, Ohio and another Brad, Brad Costlow, gave him a chance. Bradley Hobbs, affectionally known as Lil Brad, has a Down Syndrome and has been working for the same Wendy’s for twenty years.
Brad Costlow, aka Big Brad, just wanted to give Lil Brad a chance. He said to WBNS:
“I had an aunt who had Down Syndrome and…I just wanted to give him an opportunity.”
Lil Brad has been a staple of that Wendy’s and all the customers love him. Big Brad went onto say:
“If Brad’s not here, every customer is wanting to know where he’s at if he’s okay. He’s like our public relations guy.”
Since 1998, Brad has been cleaning tables, windows and just making sure customers have been happy at Wendy’s. Brad is now 38 and has chosen to retire. So his co-workers and the community as a whole threw him a big celebration party.
He was asked if he felt like a celebrity with all the praise and he gave a resounding, “Yeah!”
There wasn’t just cake at this party, Brad even received some awards like becoming an honorary firefighter for the West Licking Fire Department. The Mayor was there too and gave him a key to the city.
Big Brad concluded:
“He’s been such a blessing to me and it’s good that we can be a blessing to him.”
Brad said he will be enjoying some quality TV time as well as spend time with his family during his retirement days.
Another inspiring story came out recently when a grocery store employee helped a boy with autism that ended in the best way possible, take a look below.
Taylor was stacking products on the shelves when Jack Ryan Edwards came in and wanted to help. Jack Ryan is autistic but that didn’t stop Taylor from loving the extra help.
Jack Ryan’s sister, Delaney Edwards Alwosaibi, got the whole thing on video and was simply amazed by the unselfishness of Taylor. She captioned the video with:
“We all know autism makes going out difficult, and sometimes grocery stores can be a challenge.
This young man took the time to slow down and allow Jack Ryan to help for over 30 minutes, guiding him as he finished his task.”
When Taylor was asked why he did this beautiful act of kindness, he simply said:
“Something in the back of my mind was just like, ‘ask if he wants to help you’.
I was just happy that I could make someone else happy and make their day.”
Delaney also said:
“He could have ignored him. He could have made an excuse and said he couldn’t allow him to help. Instead, he let him have his moment and in turn gave my family a moment we will never forget.”
Now sometimes that could be the end of the story, but it just keeps getting better. Delaney went back to the store to see Taylor and get a photo with him and talk. She found out that Taylor wanted to be a teacher someday. So Delaney used her newly found viral stardom for good and set up a GoFundMe for Taylor.
As of right now, the total is at $123,127 raised!!!!!
Delaney wrote on the GoFundMe’s page:
“Jordan Taylor, an employee of a local supermarket, invited my little brother, Jack Ryan, to help him stock groceries. Jack Ryan, or “Ziggy” as I call him, is diagnosed with autism and often becomes fixated on things. Jack Ryan was watching Jordan stock the coolers when Jordan asked Jack if he’d like to help. The smile on Jack’s face said all of the words that he couldn’t. Jack and Jordan stocked the coolers as a team, Jordan encouring Jack Ryan as he finished each task. Jordan told me he loves math and would like to possibly be an educator someday. All I know is, whatever he decides to do he will excel! Thank you to Jordan for what you did for our Ziggy, we will never forget!”
What has Taylor said about all the newfound attention? He told WAFB:
“Never pictured all this would happen. I was just being me, that’s it. I just wanted to help somebody out, enjoy something.”
Sometimes we just have to be human and do the right thing. That’s all Taylor was trying to do and goodness just followed.