Edinburgh Traitors winner Meryl Williams has said thanks for the ‘love and support’ after facing abuse on a train.
Meryl, 28, hid in a toilet on a London-bound train on Sunday after a group of youths mocked her ‘to her face’. While the group ‘made jokes at her expense and took images of her’, she said her fellow passengers ‘witnessed it and said nothing’.
On Tuesday night, she gave an update and said that while she was really nervous to post the first video she was thankful for the support. Meryl, who has dwarfism, added that her condition ‘often makes her feel like a freak’.
READ MORE – Edinburgh tennis star Jacob Fearnley has Australian Open tie suspended as court floods
READ MORE – Plans for Edinburgh George Street shop to become ‘boho’ fashion retailer
Speaking in the clip, Meryl said: “I just wanted to do a video to say thank you for all the love and support after the incident that happened on the train.
“I was really nervous about posting that video, I didn’t want anyone to think it was attention seeking. I didn’t want to look like I was wanting anyone to feel sorry for me, I just wanted to tell about that incident.
“Having this condition, I experience a lot of discrimination a lot of the time especially walking out in public. People stare, people point, people laugh and people make a mockery.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newslettersfor more headlines straight to your inbox
“That’s the first time I’ve ever had that on a one-to-one basis to the point where I had to go to the bathroom.”
She continued: “If anyone does see anyone that’s different or unique, just be kind to them.
“Having this condition makes you stand out, and it makes you an easy target. That’s exactly what I was on Sunday.
“I think when you have this condition you often feel like a freak. People think you can’t hear them, but you can hear them.
Join Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community hereand get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
“They’ll look at their friend and then they look at you. But yeah, I just wanted to say thank you for all the love and kindness.”
One follower replied: “I’m devastated that no one helped or spoke out. Sorry this happened to you.”
A second said: “You should call them out for this.
“You are a beautiful and strong girl, not to mention being a fabulous advocate.”
A third posted: “What a really lovely young woman you are. No one should have to endure this level of abuse.”