Why We Exist: Ethan's Story

Ethan Wright was a brilliant, sensitive, and deeply thoughtful young man. He had a sharp wit, a huge heart, and a remarkable gift for expressing emotion with honesty and depth. But behind his quiet strength, Ethan lived with a constant internal battle — one that many never saw.

He struggled for years with body dysmorphia, depression, and the weight of intrusive thoughts. In his own words:

“I’ve just been so unhappy for so long, since I was a kid… I’ve just been suffering internally my whole life.”

“Just getting through the day is such a struggle. My brain is just flooded with negative emotion all the time.”

Despite how he felt, Ethan never stopped believing that things could be better — not just for himself, but for others. He knew how much he had to give, and how much potential he carried, even when it felt unreachable.

“I know how much to give I have and how good my life could be… I’ve got too much potential to give up.”

Ethan’s passing left an unfillable space in the lives of those who loved him — but his words, his light, and his desire for change continue to guide us. The Ethan Wright Foundation exists because of him — and for everyone like him.

We are here to fund research, raise awareness, and support young people who are navigating body dysmorphia, eating disorders, bullying, identity struggles, and mental health challenges. We are here to say: you are not alone. You are seen. You are supported.

This is why we exist. For Ethan — and for others.

This post is shared on the eve of the first anniversary of Ethan’s tragic, accidental death. We hold him in our hearts, always.

Ethan James Wright

20 April 2001 – 2 June 2024