Disabled Man Kicked Out Of Deadpool 2 For Making 'Happy Noises'

SPRINGFIELD, OR — Sam Branton is a big Deadpool fan. In fact, Sam liked the Merc with a Mouth's latest film so much he couldn't contain his joy when he saw Deadpool 2 with his mother Brenda on his 31st birthday June 2.

Unfortunately, Sam's audible excitement during the film disturbed other moviegoers at the Gateway mall Cinemark in Springfield, so they responded by asking theater management to remove both Sam and Brenda before the movie was over.

Disabled in a car accident years ago, Sam is non-verbal. So, while many of us may whisper to each other during a film to express our joy, Sam can be a bit more vocal — especially when he's really thrilled.

After seeing her son's innocent happiness dashed, Brenda responded like many people would nowadays: she took her frustration to Facebook.

Brenda's surprisingly reserved post has since been shared more than 12,000 times, with more than 6,000 commenters offering happy birthday wishes to Sam and support for Brenda. The reactions Brenda's post received also got the attention of Eugene media personality Rick Dancer.

After seeing his name tagged on Brenda's post by numerous Facebook users, Dancer recognized the situation as one in which he could most certainly lend a hand.

"People in my community know I stick up for folks who are seen as the underdog," Dancer told Patch in an email Wednesday. "I'm especially passionate about giving the voiceless their voice."

Through Dancer's self-produced Facebook Live program, "Get Real with Rick Dancer," the award-winning journalist focuses on topics that sometimes push his viewers into uncomfortable territory. Dancer said he brings difficult conversations to the forefront, and he asks his audience to see past a person's outward appearance and instead try to view them for who they really are.

"My brother-in-law is also a person who lives with a different ability," Dancer explained. "He cannot speak but understands what is going on around him and he also makes 'Squeal Noises' when he gets excited."

Using his platform to share the Brantons' story with his 7,800+ followers, Dancer helped secure the family a private screening of Deadpool 2 this Friday at the Broadway Metro in downtown Eugene.

In a follow-up post the day after they were ejected from Cinemark (with a full refund), Brenda shared the happy news:

"Thousands of people have responded to my post. Sammy and I are amazed. The show of support is overwhelming. I have always believed that the good outweigh the bad but WOW. So many loving, caring people. So if anyone would like to say a belated happy birthday to Sam Branton, that has been made possible thanks to Rick Dancer and the Broadway Metro. Sam and his family and friends will be having a private viewing of Deadpool at the Broadway Metro on Friday the 8th. Show up around 1:30 and meet Sam and Rick Dancer himself. (The theater is small so only those invited by Sam will get to watch the movie ☹)."

Dancer said Brenda and Sam are both amazed at the response their story has received, noting it as something neither were expecting would come from a simple social media post.

"This is awesome. It's amazing and we're touched to see that many people are opening their eyes," Brenda told Patch through Dancer. "I think a lot of good will come from this even though that's not what we were looking for with the post."

Dancer said he hopes his followers and everyone else who hears Sam and Brenda's story see the power we can have as human beings when we go out of our way to care for each other.

"What I love about this story is in a time when a lot of social media is about fighting and picking people apart, Sam united us in a way you rarely see. He's given me hope that perhaps a large number of us are ready to care again and be kind rather than angry," he said. "Sam's story shows me again, how far we have to go when it comes to accepting and being tolerant of all types of people.

"I hope we see in Sam a bit of ourselves," Dancer continued. "We all have areas that don't fit in, but for much of the population hiding those areas is easier. For Sam and folks like him, there is no hiding; what you see is what you get, and that is so refreshing to the human experience."

Check out Rick Dancer Conversations on Facebook this Friday between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. when Dancer broadcasts Sam and Brenda's arrival live from the Broadway Metro in Eugene.

Until then, check out Dancer's take on Sam and Brenda's story here:

Image via Joshua Rainey Photography/Shutterstock