@@colinwinogradoff6794 this is a misconception about disabilities. Just like how Paul isn't "completely" blind, doesnt make him any less disabled, many disabilities prevent people from walking long distances, like in an airport. So they need help to travel through the airport, but can manage the distance of a jetbridge, especially being rested (i.e. sitting on an airplane for hours). Additionally, the yellow-vest-people who assist them to the gate, are not trained medical professionals and do not know the scale of someone's disability, so they assume that if someone needs a wheel chair to get to the gate, that they 'couldn't possibly walk down the jet bridge', so they wheel them down the jet bridge, instead of asking. Then the airline employees are condescending a-holes when the person can walk off the plane, thinking they lied about their disability, when their disability is very real, but the yellow-vest-people just assumed they couldn't walk at all.
@@colinwinogradoff6794this one bothers me. I used to manage an artist who would get a wheelchair to get on SW first. It never sat well with me because we would not use one to exit 50% of the time.
Education not litigation!🦮👍 He is absolutely considerate it’s so unfortunate he doesn’t receive that same level of respect back sometimes. Paul is so inspirational.
The fact that thousands of people were frothing at the mouth to have him name a restaurant so that you could all march over there with the justice mob and completely run that business into the ground for one employee’s mistake…..I’m speechless. Yes, he didn’t do it, but the fact that everyone on here is tripping over themselves to congratulate him on the magnanimity of his character is a smidge psychotic.
Exactly. I was in line at the airport with my toddler when a "guide dog" barked and growled at him, threatening him. We had to leave the line and couldn't tag our stroller at that time. Since then, my son has hated dogs. I wish people wouldn't pretend they have service animals when they don't.
I just started my application for. AIRA. Its an A.I program. Created 4 the blind I woukd be the person you would call then you would turn yer camera on and ask me where grocery items on store or whats on the shelfs
The issue is very real. There are many sites that sell bogus service dog vests and gear, and many people take advantage of the service dog laws. I was on line in Target waiting to pay when a blind customer on the line next to me had her service dog attacked by a huge, unruly Shepard. The blind lady couldn't stop the attack. The Shepard owner could not get control of her dog. It was terrible. Thank goodness two men intervened and stopped the attack. The service dog was very bloody. Both the lady and her dog were taken away by EMS. People need to stop bringing their untrained dogs into high stress situations.
If I was there I might've grabbed something sharp- it seems to take a lot to get some aggressive dogs to quit once they're locked in. This is why I don't trust dogs as much as I used to.
@@womanishthing1994I felt very bad that I was not able to intervene. It was my first trip outside by myself since becoming disabled. It left me and I'm sure others that witnessed it very shaken.
theres a hardware store in my country called bunnings they tried to let pets into stores to appease people the result was a dog killing another smaller dog and the owner cradling her dying dog as the owner of the bigger dog fled the scene and onlookers including children were all in shock over the traumatic event
i genuinely can't even understand the mentality of bringing my PET out in public. i don't even bring my dogs to petsmart. i hate this trend of people getting massive dogs they can't control, refusing to give them any training, and then insisting on having them with them everywhere they go "for emotional support." like come off it, take a prozac and get over yourself.
this should be illegal.. its crazy. Im dutch and I couldnt imagine people doing that here. We have a simple way, if its a nice restaurant dont bring your pet, if its a restaurant near a natural area (like a lake or beach) its fine to bring your dog and you can expect to see dogs. Restaurants will also have water bowls in that case.
I used to work at a restaurant that became known for service dog training. They would always call ahead to book a semi private part of the place and bring in a pack of dogs in training. The owner absolutely hated it but the rest of us absolutely loved it and the trainers were amazingly generous to educate and answer our questions on service dog etiquette as well as other guests. Training we would not have received otherwise. Your empathy and consideration for the staff as a whole is inspiring.
We used to love taking our puppies in training to Home Depot and Kroger's. Both of those places were incredibly welcoming when we had puppies in training. Movie theaters were usually good about having the puppies in training. As a group we'd always head to the mall where the puppies in training got a lot of training and the people we encountered usually got a bit of education.
that would be a great thing for this restaurant to do, it would help all the staff gain better understanding and also if they have a problem with people pretending they have service dogs, what a fab way to call THEM out😂
As you said, it's so frustrating the number of people who make themselves the "exception" to the rule. By lying about their pet. Which, in turn, negatively impacts so many people who have true service animals.
Same, it pisses me off to no end. Like you are incapable of raising your dog and make it other people's problem AND you directly impact people who can't fully experience their surroundings without a problem.
@francinegreenway8451 Agreed, but the issue is that anyone can order said "vest" online through a third party like Amazon. Even if their animal is just a pet.
@@francinegreenway8451 I don't think I have EVER had an outing with my Assistance Dog where no one has tried to interact with her. AND I've had people be quite put out when I've asked them to please ignore her because she is working☹
I have an invisible disability and use a service dog. I take him to work with me in a place that does not allow pets. I was helping a man when he asked me if it was bring your dog to work day. I replied he is a service animal and the man’s response was “a service animal for someone else?” I didn’t even know how to respond. I gave a little laugh and said no, he’s mine. It’s amazing what some people will actually say.
My biggest fear right here. I may need to start using mobility aids for my disability (looking at lofstrand cruches rn) but I'm so scared to due to judgment of others. At the same time I know I'll eventually need the mobility aid, as I striggle to stand and walk without issues and it's only getting more difficult.
This happens quite a bit for me to, even people saying like "How noble of you, i could never" and then i need to awkwardly say she's mine. After i say that most people will then ask what my disability is out of curiosity and since i'm to open😅 i tell them (vaguely of course) about why i need her. On the one hand it's nice to educate people but also very annoying that people just ask (and sometimes quite rude) about my disability.
@@MilouLois Yeah I don’t mind answering the “is he a service dog?” question but when he is marked as so and in a non pet friendly place it makes me wonder.
In my teens I had to go basically everywhere with a seizure alert dog. Nobody ever believed it because I didn't "look disabled". But here's the thing! Even if I was in a chair when I seized it resulted in concussions, broken bones, it even bruised my kidney once. The safest thing for me when it's about to happen is for me to lie down on the ground, but I couldn't ever tell when it was about to happen hence the dog. I still can't go some places because they opted to permanently trespass me from the building.
NOT YELLING ALMOST COMPLETELY BLIND CAPS HELP JUST SO YOU KNOW NO ESTABLISHMENT CAN LEGALLY REFUSE ANYONE WHO IS DISABLED FOR ANY REASON INCLUDING HAVING GUIDE/SERVICE ANIMALS NOW EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS CAN BE DENIED BLESSINGS ON YOUR HEAD
I have a disability and I have a dog… my mom suggested that I train her as a service dog. I told her I would train some tasks, but I will never call her a service dog. She is a husky mix with a high prey drive. She can’t be a service dog. She doesn’t have the temperament. She is a good girl, and I love her, and she helps my mental health a lot, but she is my pet.
You are not alone, many of us with SDs have these issues all the time. We often plan things to avoid a lot of stuff it is just better for us, we hate arguing or fighting all the time.
I had the privilege of reading textbooks in college for a blind student. I enjoyed it very much, but I occasionally took them shopping. I remember the first time, I pulled into the handicap parking place, then I remembered that I wasn’t handicapped, so I started to back out. Arnie asked what was wrong, and I told him, he laughed and reminded me that he was! He and his wife were both blind, and had the sweetest 2 little girls. They both learned that their mom couldn’t detect pattern and color well. So they would mix up all their socks and giggled hysterically every time. I truly enjoyed the family! Loooong time ago!
I am an epileptic and had a bus driver threaten to hit my dog if she misbehaved. I tried to file a complaint with the transit authority but unfortunately I didn't recieve the paperwork until she had died of cancer like six months later. I didn't have the heart to go through with the complaint after that. I'm so glad you've accomplished this much because I keep thinking back to that day and while it was well over a decade ago, it messed with my trust for a very long time.
The manager of the restaurant loves you so much right now… the world needs more people like y’all. You have every right to go after the restaurant for $11K and to shut them down, but you are choosing to forgive, and using it as an educational opportunity. I have a ton of respect for you!! Best wishes and give Mr. Maple some extra love from all of us fans out here!!
@@dominika3762 This isn't an American thing. This was a severe breach of quite a few laws in many countries, and could have easily been taken to court basically anywhere in Europe, Aus, NZ, (I'm less familiar with areas like Africa and Asia but I wouldn't be surprised if a lotta them have similar laws too). This isn't about being a sue happy American, imo this was a valid thing to sue over IF that staff had been the owner/manager, or the manager had been equally rude.
That restaurant better be grateful. That server is lucky if they still have a job. That one action could have ruined the location, not just that restaurant.
There is training needed in the world in general. I was pushing my friend in her wheelchair and she needed to speak to someone at the customer service desk. The person never looked at her, but would answer her questions to me. And then ask me questions, of which she was the one who needed to answer. I told the person, 'Please address your questions and answers to the person asking them." She was very put out I would make that comment. It really pointed out how people with disabilities are virtually invisible in most situations.
This has happened to me too!! I’m the one in the wheelchair 👩🏻🦼 Accessibility issues too - wheelchair lifts being broken etc We need to keep advocating for disability justice ✊🏻
@@FieldsofTrenzalore Absolutely. After my experiences with my friend and her wheelchair, I feel everyone should have to assist someone with a disability for a day, just to see how hard it is for them to cope on top of everything else. I definitely had a new respect and appreciation for what people with physical challenges have to go through. And as I get older, and my physical level declines (I'm not 25 any more!) somewhat, watching 'seniors' become invisible is something which needs to be addressed also.
It's not just physical disabilities either. I have both physical and developmental disabilities and there's a range of how that influences how people treat me. Sometimes, on very good days, I can pass as abled if I leave my mobility aids at home / in the car - but it's so exhausting and just to be treated with a modicum of autonomy that is afforded to ableds. A lot of people won't see it at first either, even if they help someone for a few days... so some folks should have to spend a day or two using wheelchair too. I had to explain so much to my partner who suddenly started accidentally infantilizing me when I was using a wheelchair before they were able to start unpacking their ableism. Abled is a constructed notion that is temporary in nature. We either die young or become disabled (and some of us do both)
I an ashamed to say I unconsciously did this to someone when I was a cashier at a grocery store many years ago. I was called out on it and suddenly had to face my own biases. I have tried to learn from that experience and not make the same mistake again.
@@toddwood440 Hey, good on you for being open to confronting those biases/stereotypes - those are inherited from society, and in some ways aren’t our own fault, but being open to acknowledging where we can improve and taking responsibility and ownership of that is so important and difficult!
I was partnered with a blind man for about 2 years; he was blind as a result of a botched suicide attempt that severed both optical nerves. His eyes were still there, but they looked in very odd directions because of the damage done. There was never a question about who was going to drive when we visited someone, but my time with Mike taught me many things about respect and honesty about the situation. His guide dog was a golden retriever, and she was a marvelous animal; very empathetic and smart. Thanks for the video!
We had a service dog dropout who refused to pick things up and got distracted. He was perfect for my older brother at home because the dog was trained to alert him when someone was at the house and did everything my brother actually needed. But due to his distractabily we did not take the dog out with my brother. Meanwhile i was shopping for shoes and a womans service dog for her panic attacks was busy playing on the opposite side of the store than where she was. I pointed out to the employee on staff that she could kick the woman out because the dog didnt behave and was barking at people. But the employee let me know that they did that once before and the customer cried to the owner so she was allowed to do whatever, even when her dog harassed a properly trained service dog and forced the disabled handler to leave. At that point we can say this behavior is indeed malicious.
The responsibility is on the business. The problem is businesses want the power without the responsibility. Capitalist interests will always oppress disabled people when allowed - that's why we needed the ADA to begin with.
@@coda3223Capital interests will oppress anyone....child labor, pinkertons, covering up environmental disasters, lying to consumers, lying to shareholders...... If you can name a immoral act it it has been in the interest of companies at one point to do so, to be honest it is probably the most equal opportunity thing in existence to mistreat the disabled.... Because they mistreat everyone else to
I use to work retail. There was this lady who would come in with this big dog. This dog would bark at anyone who walked by. The lady almost lost control of the dog before. She claimed it was a service dog. I was running the register and the lady turned to the person with her to take the dog to the car. She told this person to take the dog because it kept pulling and barking non stop. My mom had a service dog and she never barked and stayed close to my mom all the time. The sad thing is people are taking advantage of the laws and bringing their pets in.
That is your (the business) fault for not knowing the law. Even if it was a Service Dog, it can be removed for being disruptive or aggressive. And she does have to disclose. She should not have been allowed to have the dog in the store. You endangered legitimate teams like Paul.
You also have the right to ask if the dog was trained at a special school or if it was owner trained. If the dog is being disruptive you're allowed to ask those questions.
@@SuperMichelleDJ You can ask whatever you want, but you cannot deny access if they don't choose to answer that question. I would not, because it's none of anyone's business. If a dog is disruptive, they don't get to stay if they are a facility dog. You ask them to LEAVE, not where they were trained.
@@ohana8535here’s the problem with that. Businesses do know this. They also know that the person could sue them and actually get away with it. Because of that, businesses won’t allow employees to ask the legal questions.
Yeah more people need to be taught that with any disability there’s likely a spectrum 99% of the time (I’d say 100% of the time but I don’t deal with absolutes since there’s some disabilities that idk much about to be honest)
So true I worked for a training center for the blind as a volunteer driver for social activities, lunch 1x a week, bowling or a movie and sometimes a semi pro basketball game that was broadcast on the radio. Afterwards I took them to wait outside home team dressing room. One client had a program and knew all their names numbers and stats and wanted some autographs. While I held his service dog in training, every member of the team signed for him. About 1/2 the staff were legally blind. one very competent instructor who did not use here Cain inside I thought was partially blind, until she asked if it would freak me out if she took her eyes out to clean them, the sockets were itching.. She said the only good thing about being blind was choosing the color of her eyes, she had really weird ones for Halloween.
Anytime an employee gets that sort of situation on them in terms of getting snipped at by a possibly dangerous animal should not be working the day after, they should have given him time off to recover emotionally from it.
They probably didn't even get the rest of the day off. Because capitalism. And also restaurant work is incredibly stressful, something like that blends into the garbage of everyday dealings.
Maybe given the hourly nature of his work, he could’ve been offered to switch shifts so he wouldn’t feel like he was being penalized financially. But he definitely should’ve been given the choice. Just being given a choice often makes people feel less victimized and thus less likely to act out their feelings in a destructive way.
People have gotten out of control with claiming their pet is a service animal. A support animal is not the same as a service dog because of the training. But even support animals are required to have training after they complete two levels of obedience training. You can’t just say they are and make it true. I do really respect you embracing the opportunity to educate after being subjected to such a horrible situation. It speaks volumes about the person you are. 🦮
My eldest daughter (15) recently had an appointment at the opticians because her previous glasses weren't doing the job. We all have to wear glasses so this is normal for us. The optician told us that, since her test last year, she was already halfway blind and we would need to buy special, experimental correctional glasses to slow the progression. She will be blind in her early 20s by their calculations. I'm already prepared to get a service dog in the next couple of years for her, so I absolutely love that you are spreading awareness and giving us a glimpse into your experiences.
Kinda sad that the best we can do in that situation is slow the process down. Though the upside is that there are probably ways for your daughter to live a relatively normal life including getting a service animal to help her
A young woman who was already legally blind lived with me for a while. She had a special screen that went over her computer monitor so that she could still use a computer. It was very slow, but at least she could focus in on specific areas of the screen to see images, graphs, charts, etc. Today, most websites are responsive which means that you can use Ctrl-scroll to enlarge the screen. I do it all the time because I am older + have my monitors 3 feet away to reduce EMF. Ctrl is a key on the keyboard. The scroll you need a roller in the center of your mouse to do. If she uses a laptop you can hopefully plug in a separate USB mouse. Also, many sites use apps that you can turn on that let you change how information appears on the screen to make it easier to read. If you see a circle with a stick person in it when visiting a website, click on that and you can see the options. Those may be helpful to her. She could learn to use them now to make it easier later.
My daughter when she went through her teens could barely go 6 months without needing a new prescription. The optometrist sent us to an ophthalmologist who said certain girls when they hit growth spurts will slowly lose their vision, when they quit growing the loss of eyesight stops also. This happened with my daughter. Once she quit growing her prescription hasn't changed. She's now 12 years with the same prescription. I also slowed my need for glasses using Omega 3's.
I'm sorry. Becoming disabled is a difficult adjustment and it's even harder being a parent and watching your child face something so difficult. Being disabled isn't the end of the world: you can still have a wonderful, full, rewarding life, and there can even be some pluses to it. But it's not easy and 15 is a tough age to get that news. I think the hardest part is at the beginning. You are adjusting to a new situation and simultaneously having to grieve both your old life and the future life you had imagined. So it gets better with time. I hope your daughter will be able to spend time with people who have been through it, who can let her know it won't always be this hard. Wishing you and your daughter all the best.
I am flying myself, but do not have a guide dog. I think it’s great that you want to get a service dog for your daughter, but she really needs to have good skills before getting a guide dog. The guide dog is your mobility tool, but it doesn’t know directions. That’s the handlers responsibility, you need to know exactly where you’re going and what directions you’re going. Your guide dog will just help you avoid objects and get you safely cross the road, but you need to know when it is saved across the road and then you can tell your guy dog that, you see forward and it is safe for you to cross.
I respect this man. Instead of having a victim mentality and trying to cash in, he thinks of the welfare of the innocent people that would be affected. That’s rare these days.
When you did the first video without naming the restaurant I thought it was so emotionally mature of you Paul. Huge thanks to Matthew for persuading you to edit that out. You absolutely did the right thing for all those employees.
I appreciate that you realize your power to affect innocent people negatively because you had a bad time & that you are publicly choosing to forgive. We need more examples like this in life. You’ve taught me and so many others so much about blindness specifically and guide dogs. But also about disabilities and understanding. You are helping people communicate with your content. Thanks so much!
There was an article about a lady with a service dog for the blind that was denied entry to a church shortly after your first video on this appeared. The struggle is real.
We had a blind parishioner in our church. There was a special rug for him to sit on and he got dog treats when the woman took communion. Never will I forget the time the priest said, “Please stand” and the dog stood up with all the people. The priest could barely carry on.
@@hollystiener16the main reason I've seen from them as to why they don't do that is because they don't want to make disabled people come off as second class citizens.
The frustrating thing is a lot of people misunderstand & are even told by ads I’ve seen on UA-cam that emotional support animals are allowed to go anywhere service animals are-which is NOT what the Americans with Disability Act states. Emotional support=you can’t be refused a lease or charged a pet deposit. They’re still house pets that haven’t gotten training how to react in environments to keep themself & their human safe! Service dogs go through training for the various environments and still be assistive which is why they’re so expensive & difficult to get! There’s a quick FAQ page on the Americans with Disabilities Act if anybody has confusion/questions! ❤
I’m happy to hear someone else saying this! I hate those commercials so much. My cat is going to be an esa but I’m pretty sure cats can’t even legally be service animals so I hate that the commercials are promoting lies
@@Animezingly Yes, only dogs can be service animals. The law used to allow miniature horses, but that was changed. I, too, have thought about getting my future cats certified as emotional support animals. They would provide emotional support, for sure, but it would be nice not to have to pay another 2 non-refundable pet deposits....just because my other cats died. Also, the apartment management charges monthly pet rent per pet. My cats would never go outside, so there would be no cleanup. And I know they're not going to scoop the litter boxes for me, so why am I paying rent? I'll jump through some hoops if it means I don't have to pay for the mere privilege of caring for my cats.
Thank you for standing up for disabled people. I have a genetic degenerative bone disease. At work they apparently do not understand that genetic means it’s in my genes and can’t be changed. My bones are wearing away and I’m in constant pain. I’m constantly told by my manager that I should walk more because walking is good for me. Ummm no. Walking is just wearing away my bones. They ask why don’t I just have hip/knee replacements. Because it affects every bone in my body. My ankles, my feet, arms, wrists etc. but people always think they have an answer when actually they have no clue. It really sucks.
@@angelaryder7777 it’s hard when these things come from my mangers. Now they have decided that maybe I’m too disabled to work anymore (I work in an office at a computer) so they are trying to force me to retire. Sadly intolerance for disabled people is far more common than people realise. 😢
Thank you for including all disabilities in your message, especially invisible disabilities. There are too many people out there who think they have the right to decide whether those of us with any sort of invisible disability are actually "disabled enough" to use things like disabled parking spaces, service dogs, or mobility aids. It's hard enough living with a disability of any kind; having to deal with these self-appointed "disability police" just make it so much worse.
I've even encountered a few folks passing judgement about who qualifies as 'disabled enough' here in the comments.... someone complained about an ambulatory wheelchair user existing... and someone else implied autistic people are lying about being autistic. (Which is a common reactionary response to the positive strides autistic advocacy and the neurodiversity movement have made in the last decade.) It was like: hey, did you not watch the video?
I have an invisible disability and I’m going to receive a medical alert service dog soon. Thank you for sharing this, I’m confident I will be in this situation at some point, and it helps to know what to say and do.
My best advice is to remain calm and politely ask for a manager. That's typically resolved any issues I've had out and about. The bigger issue I've had is un-accepting family who refuse to view him as a service dog.
@@mkuhnactual thank you for the advice, I will remember that. I’m sorry about your family, that’s lame. I’m fortunate that my chosen family is very supportive.
You did the right thing by not putting the restaurant on blast. It helped deescalated the incident from blowing up in unspeakable proportions. You’re a very kind hearted soul my friend! 😍
When I was a young kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, there was a very nice elderly man who was completely blind and had a service German Shepherd (his name was Lord...I will never forget). I used to absolutely love when the man and Lord would come walking by my house because I had always wanted a dog, which I never got. Both the man and his guide dog were a delight and a treat to interact with. Godspeed to those who need service dogs and to the trainers who spend years preparing our canine friends for this kind of service.
Paul, I saw your UA-cam Short on this subject and as a disabled person myself I was appalled by the restaurant’s original behavior in kicking you out. I’m sorry that happened. I’m sorry non disabled people are screwing it up for the rest of us. Hugs for you, Matthew & of course Mr Maple ❤
@@maxineb9598 true but in being rude to Paul and Maple by kicking them out, he was representing said establishment therefore making the whole place look bad.
@@briankuhn_ he may represent this but there are other people working there. It could impact their life in such a negative way, depending on what you wanted to do with the restaurant.
Businesses. Businesses are screwing it up for us by failing to follow the law. Let's do our best not to inadvertantly contribute to the ableist idea that we can tell who's disabled and who isn't by looking.
Not all disabilities are visible. Having you come here and talk about your disability has helped to show that it doesn't need to be an obvious disability to be a disability. Thank you!
It took me 20 minutes to get my 14 yr old hound out of a park yesterday because he wanted to be friends with the geese. I cannot imagine trying to pawn his stubborn ass off as a service dog. Just me sitting there with a howling dog in a restaurant like, "yeah, he is a service dog". I am so sorry this happens to you or anyone. Your pretty awesome to think about others the way you did. That karma is gonna pay back ten fold. Also...I love your art.
hehe yeah, pretty common for servers to not even realize I have a service dog and he just chills at my feet under the table unless he's needed. Oh and service dogs are trained to ignore dropped food too.
We were fortunate enough to get a service dog (trained at a state prison) for our twin diabetic grandsons. He was a little silver silky terrier weighing in at 10 pounds and exceptionally good at his job. Seeing 2 rambunctious boys looking fit you would not know they had a disability. Can not tell you the times we were turned away from places until we got a letter (from of all people) their endocrinologist with a picture of Charlie (the dog) certifying that he was a service animal. Never had a problem after that. In the 15 years they had Charlie we lost count of the times (mostly at night) that he alerted us to dangerously high or low blood sugars. At age 16 Charlie was blind, deaf and had cancer. When the time came to have him euthanized, we were all heartbroken. It has been 6 months, and we miss him every day. You are right. Many people love their dogs and want to take them with them or take them so as not to leave them in a hot or freezing vehicle. Putting a "service dog" vest or some such thing on them does sound like an easy solution. However, it is not a good idea.
Thank you for mentioning the type of dog. I recently dealt with someone claiming that small dogs couldn’t be service dogs and that’s so untrue. In some ways, small dogs can be ideal as service dogs because they are easier to handle. A chihuahua in a purse may still be able to work as medical alert dog.
@@Annie5825 Small dogs wouldn't make great service dogs for leading you places. Too easy to get underfoot. But I have heard good things about them for medical alert dogs.
The company that I worked in Brazil, used to selected some people to training social with guide dogs. A friend get one puppy and her job was basically be with dog all the time, to made him get used to all sort of environments. For one year. The dog was wearing the red necklace showing he was in training to be a guide dog. She was kick out of so many places and she had to report every place that treat her like that. Including subway!!!! This happened 10 years ago and its very sad that people still doing this, with all the information around...
I happened to stumble onto this video by accident but as I listened to your story and I must say you have an generous and kind heart. Most people in your situation would sue. But the fact that you were worried about the ramifications it could cause to other workers who weren't present in your situation tells a lot about your character. Also the education on blindness was quite helpful!
I just had a bad experience at a restaurant drive through. I’m not blind but sometimes it takes me a little while to state my order at the drive through. The employee interrupted me five times while I was ordering. I told him to give me a little bit and stop interrupting me. I finally got so upset by his interruptions that I said “never mind” and stopped my order. I drove up to the drive through window and explained why I canceled my order. I educated him about being patient with people that might be autistic or have a speech impediment. He YELLED at me to “get your ass out of here and don’t come back”. I was so upset. I drove away crying, and scared, but then I parked somewhere close and called the restaurant to talk to a manager. The manager said he heard everything and was in the process of firing the employee. I never wanted the guy fired. I just want to be treated fairly when I’m placing a drive through order. That’s it. You’re right; they are not educated properly.
I am not autistic (as far as I know), but even I sometimes struggle with placing a drive-tru order at those speaker boxes. I never know if the person is ready to listen to my order. One can mostly not see a menu at that point, and I sometimes forget the different items. Maybe I should write a shopping list before going.
As the guardian of the restaurant the manager really did have to fire that employee. There is a world of difference between not understanding disabilities and yelling at a customer. Yes the employee needed disability understanding. But he was fired for being abusive to a customer. That had nothing to do with your disability. It’s just never okay.
I have a bad stutter, no social awareness and an auditory processing disorder. Gosh I get you, not only in drive throughs either, some people are just asses
I understand how upset you were in the moment and why you named the restaurant but I am very happy Matthew, who didn't experience it, was calm enough to see the bigger picture at that moment. You make a great team.
I saw a video once of a woman who parked in a handicap spot and removed her prosthetic leg when confronted by an angry patron because she didn't look disabled. People with disabilities being called out because they don't match some preconceived idea of what that disability should look like is far too common and infuriating. I commend you for being able be so compassionate and think of the other people who would have been affected. I don't have a disability but if I were in your position, I'm not sure I'd be able to be as kind and probably would have advocated for that rude guy to get fired. I appreciate this video as a reminder that sometimes it's better to try patience and kindness first.
I had a similar experience. I went to a supermarket and couldn’t get parked in a dedicated disabled parking bay, so I used a parent/child bay. These are complimentary whereas the disabled bays are mandatory. A woman with children and friends in tow started shouting at me…. I shouldn’t be parked there etc. (I don’t think my car helped, a small convertible bmw….). She continued shouting and complaining and swearing as she walked away. I got my mobility scooter out of the boot and went to find customer services to check I had the right to park where I did ( and I did). She had been just before me continuing to rant and rage and people taking up parking places where they had no rights to park. I had the shakes inside because of her and id totally forgotten what I gone to buy. 😵💫😅
Now I understand the situation better, that the rude server had had his own bad situation the day before. I love it that Matthew wanted to take the name of the restaurant out. And then today when you explain the consequences to another restaurant and all of the innocent staff, etc. I’m really happy that you did not name the restaurant. I also smiled at you getting places early and then getting annoyed when people are only on time. My mother was like that. she blew her first date because she left without him because she have been waiting half an hour, even though he got there on time!
People are so quick to demonize without giving the institution opportunity to address the situation first. Thank you, Matthew and Paul, for exercising decency by communicating the issue to the establishment management so they have the opportunity to address the issue first.
At the same time, it's frustrating to see how quickly people will demonize other people but excuse the institution that holds the majority of power in the situation. We need to stop blaming people bringing poorly trained dogs into businesses and start holding the businesses accountable for allowing poorly trained dogs. The business holds the power in both situations and they are neglecting their duty to abide by the law. They are using their negligence in exercising their rights to justify violating the rights of others. That's what needs to be addressed.
I mean in most situations if they address the situation properly then things work out. I guarantee the restaurant that shut down didn't make a statement or fire the rude server
🦮 I live in the UK and have an assistance dog due to my physical disability, you wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve seen people putting a vest that they’ve clearly had made and put on their pet dog that is barely obedience trained let alone assistance dog trained. It’s awful because people tar us all with the same brush.
I had a nurse who was legally blind, I have since learned blind is a wide spectrum. It rubs me wrong when Ihear 'you don't look XYZ' like blind people are all supposed to be missing eyes or something.
In every video where you’ve addressed misunderstandings or flat out ignorance, you and Matthew have always shown such grace. You two are so inspiring in what you do and what you represent 🦮
Hey Paul thank you for sharing. I have a service dog in training in Australia 🇦🇺. The number of times I’ve seen dogs labeled services dog that clearly aren’t trained anywhere near the level that a full access service dog is blows my mind. Thanks for sharing xx
I really think if the ADA would make a certification process to identify actual service animals this wouldn't be an issue. A FEDERAL certification program.
I have psychiatric disabilities and just some minor physical issues, but I still feel like Paul and Matthew are part of my community and would be kind and understanding towards me. I especially relate to the struggle of having an invisible disability, because most strangers think I'm an ordinary student at uni or something - whereas in reality I'm unable to work, socially isolated and suffer from constant anxiety and sensory overload while out in public. But you can't tell by just looking at me. I'd also be terrified of walking into a restaurant alone, but not because of blindness, but my mental disorders.
That phrase is always so frustrating "You don't look blind" thats the thing nobody really does unless their eyes are physically effected by the cause. My mom had a coworker who was blind but he lost his sight due to a workplace injury so his eyes were always closed. But otherwise most aren't any different looking then seeing people. In any case I'm glad this was resolved amicably
A blind friend and cane user had a run-in with a city bus driver who told him he didn’t look blind. My friend told the bus driver, “That’s funny, because you don’t look stupid either, but I guess you are.”
I didn't realise there was a spectrum of blindness until I received the news I had papilledema. I'm finally in remission now, but some aren't so lucky and my heart goes out to them. Thank you for all the great videos you out to spread awareness about invisible disabilities every video really helps 😊
I actually had a harness for my miniature schnauzer that was black with white reflective lettering that said Blind Dog that attached to a regular leash. It had a hoop that went from his shoulder to shoulder in a circle in front of his face so if he was going to walk into something it would hit the hoop and warn him. I did not do or go anywhere that would need him to be a service dog and nothing said he was a service dog. It said Blind Dog, because people (especially children) would come up on him without warning and try and pet him or they'd let their dogs run at him. I was constantly lectured about how I should be ashamed of myself for pretending I was blind. It amazed me how many people would approach a stranger walking on a public street and make it their business.
@@valenz1234 It went 1 of 3 ways. 1) continue to lecture but now about me "pretending" my dog was a service dog. 2) immediately bend down and start petting my dog (or allow their child to.) For either of these I'd have to pick my dog up and walk away before they stressed him out. Being in unknown public spaces was always a challenge, he like it and wanted to sniff and meet other dogs and people and he needed it to be social, but if it was too busy he would get disoriented and start to shake 3) they would ask if they could pet or ask about the hoop and I could let my dog know someone was going to put their hand on him or a dog was going to be at his butt. He had commands for that, not commands to do anything, more just so he'd know something was about to touch him.
My son has an invisible disability, I have not yet applied for the parking sticker because I do not want to have to explain myself to people. You have such a kind heart to use this situation for good hopefully no more people will be in this situation because of what you do.
My sister is disabled and qualified for a sticker, but her university didnt believe that she truly needed it and denied her parking accomodation request. Her disability is visible in a flare up but to the uneducated it doesnt seem as severe as it is. People are so ignorant. She fought it for months. Walking causes her flare ups, so its a terrible cycle. I dont blame you for putting it off, its such a PITA.
Ugh flare ups are so embarrassing. I'll look perfectly fine, maybe a little under the weather or bloaty, but stop being able to do like 90% of what I normally can. It costs zero bucks for people to not question me taking the elevator for a single floor. I've taken to saying I'm a fall hazard because it's easier to explain, even if it isn't strictly true.
Good job educating this restaurant and not outing them publicly.You addressed it and took your issue up with management in an adult manner,that speaks volumes to your character
Your video was so popular, even my Mom who is in her 70s and not on any social media/UA-cam/etc, and isn't very good with the Internet, saw it! I was over at her place and she randomly says, "I was watching this video of a nice young blind man who wasn't allowed in a restaurant with his guide dog, and that was such a shame!" 😄🥰
Hi Paul I just wanted to say a huge thank you. I also have RP and have been dealing with my sight degrading since childhood. I reached the severely visually impaired UK classification for blind mid last year. As you might guess a hard time for me. Only a couple of days after I came across your video's and have been watching everything you post. Your videos have helped me so much to see someone with RP and your level of sight living such a vibrant happy fun filled life. I've been putting off cane training but I must start soon. Thank you again for all your time energy and warmth in your videos.
I feel educating is a better option in most circumstances like that one. Im a person with a disability and a medical alert service dog. I use a power wheelchair so my disability is visible but I get most people questioning my dog is service dog because she's a small dog. Thank-You for making people aware of things like this.
🦮I’m so glad you shared your story. My daughter is legally blind, (she’s not needing a service animal yet) and we spend so much time just trying to educate people, trying to make them understand. I’m glad you could sit down with the owner of the restaurant and it’s been an educational moment.
I was born with a disability and at some point Mother told me that I would likely always represent people with disabilities. It has served me well. I am now 60 years old and Mother is 81 and yes I will be asked from time to time what I have or why I am in a chair. Thanks to Mom I am comfortable handling these situations. It might be iffy from time to time but usually the person asking is more uncomfortable than I am.
🦮🦮🦮 It is complicated and difficult when you are disabled in any way. My son is autistic. People do ask us what he has and tell me he doesn’t « look » autistic as if there is an autistic look… Dogs are essential to so many disabled people. Thank you for sharing once again your story and also for sharing your vulnerability. Love your videos, from a fellow Canadian. 🦮🦮🦮
I don’t understand how anyone would say he doesn’t look blind, to me it is obvious; for context, my grandpa was blind so growing up I became familiar with subtleties that simply cannot be faked… I’m not sure how to articulate it, but the best way I can describe it is that his eyes are very expressive but not reactive if that makes sense. I am amazed by such a capacity for forgiveness and making education the priority is such an admirable quality.
I had an Aunt that became Legally Blind due to having Glaucoma. She was able to travel voices by listening and automatically turned in that direction. Looking like she could see. I've learned so much from your videos and guide dogs. Thank you.
You guys are a serious 'class act' for giving the restaurant a chance to rectify the issue. If you do go back after some time, it would be great to see a follow-up video of your experience to see what has changed in their approach to service animals.
Your ability to have such grace and introspection and compassion for this situation is really inspirational. I'm actively working on myself to be more like this in difficult situations.
As someone with a invisible disability I completely understand how it feels to defend your disability constantly and I'm sorry that you have to go through that. I so greatly respect you for your willingness to educate instead of cancel. I know we often want to expose people for their -isms but when we do that we often shut down any room for education.
You handled this with such kindness & understanding. I can only imagine how hard it would have been to go through, then to go back to the restaurant & meet with the manger. I hope the restaurant staff & others do learn from this & do better. They’ve really been given a second chance here, education from you, no community repercussions because you chose not to share the name or a fine for denying you entry.
There are people who can’t lift a finger for others. Literally, the turn signal is just a finger away, and many don’t even bother to use it. I believe these are the same people who don’t care about the impact of misusing service dog harnesses. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I'm glad you do care about other people!
My 2nd cousin was blind ( when he was living). We walked into a restaurant with his guide dog. We got so many stares. He had his harness and vest , etc. It's incredible how many people still don't know how to react or respond to seeing a guide dog. 😢 Thanks for the educational information!
🦮 This is why I love you and Matthew. Both of you are so genuine and really take the time to educate people about blindness and the rights associated with any disability. I loved that you didn't call the restaurant out (trust me I was one of millions - pitchfork ready to go in protest 😡). But when you mentioned how you forgave the employee and the establishment, cuz you didn't want to cause trouble for all the others - my heart melted. If you can let it go, I can too.😊 I also love when you tell stories one-on-one with us especially UNEDITED! 😂 Mr. Maple in the background just being himself, makes it all the more genuine. ❤ P.S. LOVE your outfit PAUL! Lookin' good~ 👌🏾👍🏾😎
I too am a blind person with some sight. I describe it as living in a foggy blur. I use a modified hiking stick as I need assistance staying upright and wobble when I don’t have one. I too have to daily explain that total blindness is rare. I wasn’t born this way but suffered an accident. I have not let it slow me down and we also live in an area that I feel safe walking about by myself. Having people tell me I’m lying about it hurts my feelings and makes me feel awful. I’m glad to see people like yourself stand up for your rights and bring awareness to the issues we have.
This just popped up in my feed out of nowhere, but I'm glad it did. Thank you for your story. My father (named Paul by the way) had macular degeneration. Even I, sometimes, forgot that he had difficulty seeing so I understand why it is so important to take people we first meet at face value. Our first instinct should be to trust them. In todays world this is so hard to do, and the people who dress their pets in service dog vests and etc. make it even harder. My best wishes to you.
I have chronic migraine headaches. They make me very sensitive to temperature changes. I live in Arkansas and in the summer temperatures in the 90-100 degree range are common. My neurologist gave me a wheelchair placard for my car so I don't have to walk far in the heat (greatly lowered risk of triggered headaches). On several occasions over the years I have had to deal with dirty looks and muttered insults when I get out of my car and walk into my destination simply because my disability isn't immediately visible. I try to not let it bother me. I think the way you handled this affair with the restaurant shows your strength of character and I applaud your decision to not reveal the restaurant name. Most people would have let anger guide them. Bravo! 😊
I have Gut issues and need to use a wheelchair stall if it's available when I'm having issues. A. I need the chair height toilet, and B. I need the space to clean myself. One day I was using it at the mall and this lady says, excuse me, there's a handicap lady who needs the handicap stall. The lady in the wheelchair chair says, loudly I'm fine, no rush. And then says to the woman just so you know lots of people have invisible disabilities that you couldn't tell unless they need accommodations. As I was coming out of the stall I said thank you. Turns out she had an ostomy bag... And she had it before she had the wheelchair so she felt my pain about being walking and still needing the handicap stall. 😊
You are doing more than you know to help educate people. I was able to have a conversation with my 9 year old yesterday about the fact that people who are visually impaired can be considered legally blind even if they can see a little bit. I explained to him what you had shared about your sight. The conversation started because he saw a small portion of your video and said you didn’t look blind. Hopefully this is something that will stick with him and he will remember it when he meets someone who’s blind so that they don’t have to do the work to educate him.
Paul, I’m sorry you had to endure this. I feel so badly this happened to you and Mr. Maple. Thank you for posting this and for educating millions of others about disabilities, that there are spectrums of the disability, etc. I empathize when you say people tell you that you don’t “look” blind. What is that even supposed to look like???!!!! *sigh* I have been dealing with chronic health problems for a couple of decades. I have been brushed off by numerous doctors and nurses because I “don’t look sick”. I have been told so many times I’m making it up. It’s so frustrating, discouraging, angering, depressing, etc. It makes a person feel so alone, helpless, and sad. Long story to say, THANK YOU for your education, for your beautiful heart, for your kindness, compassion, and thank you for the giggles you, Matthew and Mr. Maple have provided me over the past couple months since I discovered you. My love and appreciation to all 3 of you! 🩷🤗🦮
Your gracefulness and graciousness throughout this whole situation is so admirable. While you'd be so well within your rights to continue to be outraged and pursue further action, your thoughtfulness towards the multitude of other individuals that would be involved and your decision to take additional time and energy to educate others is truly outstanding.
Thank you for educating us and thank you for not naming the resto. As someone who's worked in a service setting before, I'm grateful that you considered the ramifications and didn't escalate when you took time to look at it objectively. You guys are the sweetest and I wish you all the best ❤❤
I can't imagine pretending to have a disability just to bring along a pet. That's such shameful and egotistical behaviour.
Have you heard of the southwest
airlines "miracle" . 30 or 40 people
Get on with disabilities, then 90 % get off the airplane with no disabilities.
We call it entitled behavior
@@colinwinogradoff6794 this is a misconception about disabilities. Just like how Paul isn't "completely" blind, doesnt make him any less disabled, many disabilities prevent people from walking long distances, like in an airport. So they need help to travel through the airport, but can manage the distance of a jetbridge, especially being rested (i.e. sitting on an airplane for hours). Additionally, the yellow-vest-people who assist them to the gate, are not trained medical professionals and do not know the scale of someone's disability, so they assume that if someone needs a wheel chair to get to the gate, that they 'couldn't possibly walk down the jet bridge', so they wheel them down the jet bridge, instead of asking. Then the airline employees are condescending a-holes when the person can walk off the plane, thinking they lied about their disability, when their disability is very real, but the yellow-vest-people just assumed they couldn't walk at all.
A "boy who cried wolf" effect is not something that disabled people need.
@@colinwinogradoff6794this one bothers me. I used to manage an artist who would get a wheelchair to get on SW first. It never sat well with me because we would not use one to exit 50% of the time.
🦮 the fact that you fully considered the ramifications of calling out the restaurant shows how kind hearted you are, Paul.
Education not litigation!🦮👍 He is absolutely considerate it’s so unfortunate he doesn’t receive that same level of respect back sometimes. Paul is so inspirational.
Also a shout out to MATTHEW! for being Paul’s rock and voice of reason.
Thank you both so much for your restraint. It's refreshing. 🐕🦺
The fact that thousands of people were frothing at the mouth to have him name a restaurant so that you could all march over there with the justice mob and completely run that business into the ground for one employee’s mistake…..I’m speechless. Yes, he didn’t do it, but the fact that everyone on here is tripping over themselves to congratulate him on the magnanimity of his character is a smidge psychotic.
🦮 Such a class act!
Your experience is why it infuriates me when people lie about their dogs being a service dog for the mere feeling of entitlement
Exactly. I was in line at the airport with my toddler when a "guide dog" barked and growled at him, threatening him. We had to leave the line and couldn't tag our stroller at that time.
Since then, my son has hated dogs.
I wish people wouldn't pretend they have service animals when they don't.
I just started my application for. AIRA. Its an A.I program. Created 4 the blind
I woukd be the person you would call then you would turn yer camera on and ask me where grocery items on store or whats on the shelfs
-What did he look like?
- He had a very angry eye 🤭 🐕
LMAO
not the one angry eye 💀
It was the Hairy Eyeball👀
Oh gods, i nearly spat 😂🎉
the angry eye sounds like a great children's book 😂😂
The issue is very real. There are many sites that sell bogus service dog vests and gear, and many people take advantage of the service dog laws. I was on line in Target waiting to pay when a blind customer on the line next to me had her service dog attacked by a huge, unruly Shepard. The blind lady couldn't stop the attack. The Shepard owner could not get control of her dog. It was terrible. Thank goodness two men intervened and stopped the attack. The service dog was very bloody. Both the lady and her dog were taken away by EMS. People need to stop bringing their untrained dogs into high stress situations.
If I was there I might've grabbed something sharp- it seems to take a lot to get some aggressive dogs to quit once they're locked in. This is why I don't trust dogs as much as I used to.
@@womanishthing1994I felt very bad that I was not able to intervene. It was my first trip outside by myself since becoming disabled. It left me and I'm sure others that witnessed it very shaken.
theres a hardware store in my country called bunnings they tried to let pets into stores to appease people the result was a dog killing another smaller dog and the owner cradling her dying dog as the owner of the bigger dog fled the scene and onlookers including children were all in shock over the traumatic event
i genuinely can't even understand the mentality of bringing my PET out in public. i don't even bring my dogs to petsmart. i hate this trend of people getting massive dogs they can't control, refusing to give them any training, and then insisting on having them with them everywhere they go "for emotional support." like come off it, take a prozac and get over yourself.
this should be illegal.. its crazy. Im dutch and I couldnt imagine people doing that here.
We have a simple way, if its a nice restaurant dont bring your pet, if its a restaurant near a natural area (like a lake or beach) its fine to bring your dog and you can expect to see dogs. Restaurants will also have water bowls in that case.
I used to work at a restaurant that became known for service dog training. They would always call ahead to book a semi private part of the place and bring in a pack of dogs in training. The owner absolutely hated it but the rest of us absolutely loved it and the trainers were amazingly generous to educate and answer our questions on service dog etiquette as well as other guests. Training we would not have received otherwise.
Your empathy and consideration for the staff as a whole is inspiring.
We used to love taking our puppies in training to Home Depot and Kroger's. Both of those places were incredibly welcoming when we had puppies in training. Movie theaters were usually good about having the puppies in training.
As a group we'd always head to the mall where the puppies in training got a lot of training and the people we encountered usually got a bit of education.
that would be a great thing for this restaurant to do, it would help all the staff gain better understanding and also if they have a problem with people pretending they have service dogs, what a fab way to call THEM out😂
As you said, it's so frustrating the number of people who make themselves the "exception" to the rule. By lying about their pet. Which, in turn, negatively impacts so many people who have true service animals.
Same, it pisses me off to no end. Like you are incapable of raising your dog and make it other people's problem AND you directly impact people who can't fully experience their surroundings without a problem.
They need to wear a special vest saying that they are service dogs 🐕🦺 and not to pet them because they are working
@francinegreenway8451 Agreed, but the issue is that anyone can order said "vest" online through a third party like Amazon. Even if their animal is just a pet.
It's just plain disrespectful.
@@francinegreenway8451 I don't think I have EVER had an outing with my Assistance Dog where no one has tried to interact with her. AND I've had people be quite put out when I've asked them to please ignore her because she is working☹
I have an invisible disability and use a service dog. I take him to work with me in a place that does not allow pets. I was helping a man when he asked me if it was bring your dog to work day. I replied he is a service animal and the man’s response was “a service animal for someone else?” I didn’t even know how to respond. I gave a little laugh and said no, he’s mine. It’s amazing what some people will actually say.
My biggest fear right here. I may need to start using mobility aids for my disability (looking at lofstrand cruches rn) but I'm so scared to due to judgment of others. At the same time I know I'll eventually need the mobility aid, as I striggle to stand and walk without issues and it's only getting more difficult.
This happens quite a bit for me to, even people saying like "How noble of you, i could never" and then i need to awkwardly say she's mine. After i say that most people will then ask what my disability is out of curiosity and since i'm to open😅 i tell them (vaguely of course) about why i need her. On the one hand it's nice to educate people but also very annoying that people just ask (and sometimes quite rude) about my disability.
Using the “edit button” is something to consider…man, that was a dumb thing for that person to say.
I also have an invisible disability and people have asked me numerous times if I was training the dog for someone else. 😩
@@MilouLois Yeah I don’t mind answering the “is he a service dog?” question but when he is marked as so and in a non pet friendly place it makes me wonder.
In my teens I had to go basically everywhere with a seizure alert dog. Nobody ever believed it because I didn't "look disabled". But here's the thing! Even if I was in a chair when I seized it resulted in concussions, broken bones, it even bruised my kidney once. The safest thing for me when it's about to happen is for me to lie down on the ground, but I couldn't ever tell when it was about to happen hence the dog.
I still can't go some places because they opted to permanently trespass me from the building.
NOT YELLING ALMOST COMPLETELY BLIND CAPS HELP JUST SO YOU KNOW NO ESTABLISHMENT CAN LEGALLY REFUSE ANYONE WHO IS DISABLED FOR ANY REASON INCLUDING HAVING GUIDE/SERVICE ANIMALS
NOW EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS CAN BE DENIED BLESSINGS ON YOUR HEAD
File a lawsuit
I have a disability and I have a dog… my mom suggested that I train her as a service dog. I told her I would train some tasks, but I will never call her a service dog. She is a husky mix with a high prey drive. She can’t be a service dog. She doesn’t have the temperament. She is a good girl, and I love her, and she helps my mental health a lot, but she is my pet.
I've seen a single husky service dog in my whole life which really says how difficult they are to train like that
She can be your emotional support animal or a stay at home service dog, just no public access.🙏
You are not alone, many of us with SDs have these issues all the time. We often plan things to avoid a lot of stuff it is just better for us, we hate arguing or fighting all the time.
This story just proves management needs to make the final decision as employees just don’t have that expertise.
Pets are not considered as to be trained as service dogs. The dog needs training from puppyhood to be able to perform the tasks needed for the person.
I had the privilege of reading textbooks in college for a blind student. I enjoyed it very much, but I occasionally took them shopping. I remember the first time, I pulled into the handicap parking place, then I remembered that I wasn’t handicapped, so I started to back out. Arnie asked what was wrong, and I told him, he laughed and reminded me that he was! He and his wife were both blind, and had the sweetest 2 little girls. They both learned that their mom couldn’t detect pattern and color well. So they would mix up all their socks and giggled hysterically every time. I truly enjoyed the family! Loooong time ago!
Those kids sound fun. 😂
@@SewardWriterreally sounds like something me and my brother and cousins would do to our parents growing up if we were in that situation
@@Allantitan Oh, yeah. My mom is hard of hearing, and I messed with her so much as a kid. She now has hearing aids, so I get away with less. XD
I am an epileptic and had a bus driver threaten to hit my dog if she misbehaved. I tried to file a complaint with the transit authority but unfortunately I didn't recieve the paperwork until she had died of cancer like six months later. I didn't have the heart to go through with the complaint after that. I'm so glad you've accomplished this much because I keep thinking back to that day and while it was well over a decade ago, it messed with my trust for a very long time.
You're too nice
The manager of the restaurant loves you so much right now… the world needs more people like y’all. You have every right to go after the restaurant for $11K and to shut them down, but you are choosing to forgive, and using it as an educational opportunity. I have a ton of respect for you!! Best wishes and give Mr. Maple some extra love from all of us fans out here!!
The owner needs to give the manager a bonus or something….they saved the restaurant!
Oh gods, it was a misunderstanding, why should other employees pay for that guy? Americans and their love for sueing everyone and everything...
So because of one idiot you'd happily let other people lose their jobs and incomes by shutting a place down? Americans are ridiculous
@@dominika3762 This isn't an American thing. This was a severe breach of quite a few laws in many countries, and could have easily been taken to court basically anywhere in Europe, Aus, NZ, (I'm less familiar with areas like Africa and Asia but I wouldn't be surprised if a lotta them have similar laws too). This isn't about being a sue happy American, imo this was a valid thing to sue over IF that staff had been the owner/manager, or the manager had been equally rude.
That restaurant better be grateful. That server is lucky if they still have a job. That one action could have ruined the location, not just that restaurant.
There is training needed in the world in general. I was pushing my friend in her wheelchair and she needed to speak to someone at the customer service desk. The person never looked at her, but would answer her questions to me. And then ask me questions, of which she was the one who needed to answer. I told the person, 'Please address your questions and answers to the person asking them." She was very put out I would make that comment. It really pointed out how people with disabilities are virtually invisible in most situations.
This has happened to me too!! I’m the one in the wheelchair 👩🏻🦼 Accessibility issues too - wheelchair lifts being broken etc
We need to keep advocating for disability justice ✊🏻
@@FieldsofTrenzalore Absolutely. After my experiences with my friend and her wheelchair, I feel everyone should have to assist someone with a disability for a day, just to see how hard it is for them to cope on top of everything else. I definitely had a new respect and appreciation for what people with physical challenges have to go through. And as I get older, and my physical level declines (I'm not 25 any more!) somewhat, watching 'seniors' become invisible is something which needs to be addressed also.
It's not just physical disabilities either. I have both physical and developmental disabilities and there's a range of how that influences how people treat me. Sometimes, on very good days, I can pass as abled if I leave my mobility aids at home / in the car - but it's so exhausting and just to be treated with a modicum of autonomy that is afforded to ableds.
A lot of people won't see it at first either, even if they help someone for a few days... so some folks should have to spend a day or two using wheelchair too. I had to explain so much to my partner who suddenly started accidentally infantilizing me when I was using a wheelchair before they were able to start unpacking their ableism.
Abled is a constructed notion that is temporary in nature. We either die young or become disabled (and some of us do both)
I an ashamed to say I unconsciously did this to someone when I was a cashier at a grocery store many years ago. I was called out on it and suddenly had to face my own biases. I have tried to learn from that experience and not make the same mistake again.
@@toddwood440 Hey, good on you for being open to confronting those biases/stereotypes - those are inherited from society, and in some ways aren’t our own fault, but being open to acknowledging where we can improve and taking responsibility and ownership of that is so important and difficult!
I was partnered with a blind man for about 2 years; he was blind as a result of a botched suicide attempt that severed both optical nerves. His eyes were still there, but they looked in very odd directions because of the damage done. There was never a question about who was going to drive when we visited someone, but my time with Mike taught me many things about respect and honesty about the situation. His guide dog was a golden retriever, and she was a marvelous animal; very empathetic and smart. Thanks for the video!
We had a service dog dropout who refused to pick things up and got distracted. He was perfect for my older brother at home because the dog was trained to alert him when someone was at the house and did everything my brother actually needed. But due to his distractabily we did not take the dog out with my brother.
Meanwhile i was shopping for shoes and a womans service dog for her panic attacks was busy playing on the opposite side of the store than where she was. I pointed out to the employee on staff that she could kick the woman out because the dog didnt behave and was barking at people. But the employee let me know that they did that once before and the customer cried to the owner so she was allowed to do whatever, even when her dog harassed a properly trained service dog and forced the disabled handler to leave.
At that point we can say this behavior is indeed malicious.
The responsibility is on the business. The problem is businesses want the power without the responsibility.
Capitalist interests will always oppress disabled people when allowed - that's why we needed the ADA to begin with.
@@coda3223Capital interests will oppress anyone....child labor, pinkertons, covering up environmental disasters, lying to consumers, lying to shareholders...... If you can name a immoral act it it has been in the interest of companies at one point to do so, to be honest it is probably the most equal opportunity thing in existence to mistreat the disabled.... Because they mistreat everyone else to
I use to work retail. There was this lady who would come in with this big dog. This dog would bark at anyone who walked by. The lady almost lost control of the dog before. She claimed it was a service dog. I was running the register and the lady turned to the person with her to take the dog to the car. She told this person to take the dog because it kept pulling and barking non stop. My mom had a service dog and she never barked and stayed close to my mom all the time. The sad thing is people are taking advantage of the laws and bringing their pets in.
Oh we did ask what her service dog does and she said I don't have to tell you.
That is your (the business) fault for not knowing the law. Even if it was a Service Dog, it can be removed for being disruptive or aggressive. And she does have to disclose. She should not have been allowed to have the dog in the store. You endangered legitimate teams like Paul.
You also have the right to ask if the dog was trained at a special school or if it was owner trained. If the dog is being disruptive you're allowed to ask those questions.
@@SuperMichelleDJ You can ask whatever you want, but you cannot deny access if they don't choose to answer that question. I would not, because it's none of anyone's business. If a dog is disruptive, they don't get to stay if they are a facility dog. You ask them to LEAVE, not where they were trained.
@@ohana8535here’s the problem with that. Businesses do know this. They also know that the person could sue them and actually get away with it. Because of that, businesses won’t allow employees to ask the legal questions.
Some people think there is only two levels of blindness, not blind, and total darkness.
Yeah more people need to be taught that with any disability there’s likely a spectrum 99% of the time (I’d say 100% of the time but I don’t deal with absolutes since there’s some disabilities that idk much about to be honest)
So true I worked for a training center for the blind as a volunteer driver for social activities, lunch 1x a week, bowling or a movie and sometimes a semi pro basketball game that was broadcast on the radio. Afterwards I took them to wait outside home team dressing room. One client had a program and knew all their names numbers and stats and wanted some autographs. While I held his service dog in training, every member of the team signed for him. About 1/2 the staff were legally blind. one very competent instructor who did not use here Cain inside I thought was partially blind, until she asked if it would freak me out if she took her eyes out to clean them, the sockets were itching.. She said the only good thing about being blind was choosing the color of her eyes, she had really weird ones for Halloween.
@Allantitan everything on earth is a spectrum, binaries are computer language, nothing else
You were in a Norwegian newspaper too. So incredibly kind of you to forgive the restaurant
That’s so funny.
Seems like journalists just look for viral videos.
@@travelwell6049I think it is educational, not funny. And it can apply to all countries around the world who would benefit from this.
Anytime an employee gets that sort of situation on them in terms of getting snipped at by a possibly dangerous animal should not be working the day after, they should have given him time off to recover emotionally from it.
Should that not apply to every encounter that is unpleasant? Its all or nothing.
That’s not just unpleasant, it’s quite out of the ordinary and potentially traumatic.
They probably didn't even get the rest of the day off. Because capitalism. And also restaurant work is incredibly stressful, something like that blends into the garbage of everyday dealings.
Maybe given the hourly nature of his work, he could’ve been offered to switch shifts so he wouldn’t feel like he was being penalized financially. But he definitely should’ve been given the choice. Just being given a choice often makes people feel less victimized and thus less likely to act out their feelings in a destructive way.
And you’re the snowflake…
This is why we adore you. Thank you for educating us all. *Guide dog emoji*
People have gotten out of control with claiming their pet is a service animal. A support animal is not the same as a service dog because of the training. But even support animals are required to have training after they complete two levels of obedience training. You can’t just say they are and make it true. I do really respect you embracing the opportunity to educate after being subjected to such a horrible situation. It speaks volumes about the person you are. 🦮
My eldest daughter (15) recently had an appointment at the opticians because her previous glasses weren't doing the job. We all have to wear glasses so this is normal for us. The optician told us that, since her test last year, she was already halfway blind and we would need to buy special, experimental correctional glasses to slow the progression. She will be blind in her early 20s by their calculations. I'm already prepared to get a service dog in the next couple of years for her, so I absolutely love that you are spreading awareness and giving us a glimpse into your experiences.
Kinda sad that the best we can do in that situation is slow the process down. Though the upside is that there are probably ways for your daughter to live a relatively normal life including getting a service animal to help her
A young woman who was already legally blind lived with me for a while. She had a special screen that went over her computer monitor so that she could still use a computer. It was very slow, but at least she could focus in on specific areas of the screen to see images, graphs, charts, etc. Today, most websites are responsive which means that you can use Ctrl-scroll to enlarge the screen. I do it all the time because I am older + have my monitors 3 feet away to reduce EMF. Ctrl is a key on the keyboard. The scroll you need a roller in the center of your mouse to do. If she uses a laptop you can hopefully plug in a separate USB mouse.
Also, many sites use apps that you can turn on that let you change how information appears on the screen to make it easier to read. If you see a circle with a stick person in it when visiting a website, click on that and you can see the options. Those may be helpful to her. She could learn to use them now to make it easier later.
My daughter when she went through her teens could barely go 6 months without needing a new prescription. The optometrist sent us to an ophthalmologist who said certain girls when they hit growth spurts will slowly lose their vision, when they quit growing the loss of eyesight stops also. This happened with my daughter. Once she quit growing her prescription hasn't changed. She's now 12 years with the same prescription. I also slowed my need for glasses using Omega 3's.
I'm sorry. Becoming disabled is a difficult adjustment and it's even harder being a parent and watching your child face something so difficult. Being disabled isn't the end of the world: you can still have a wonderful, full, rewarding life, and there can even be some pluses to it. But it's not easy and 15 is a tough age to get that news. I think the hardest part is at the beginning. You are adjusting to a new situation and simultaneously having to grieve both your old life and the future life you had imagined. So it gets better with time. I hope your daughter will be able to spend time with people who have been through it, who can let her know it won't always be this hard. Wishing you and your daughter all the best.
I am flying myself, but do not have a guide dog. I think it’s great that you want to get a service dog for your daughter, but she really needs to have good skills before getting a guide dog. The guide dog is your mobility tool, but it doesn’t know directions. That’s the handlers responsibility, you need to know exactly where you’re going and what directions you’re going. Your guide dog will just help you avoid objects and get you safely cross the road, but you need to know when it is saved across the road and then you can tell your guy dog that, you see forward and it is safe for you to cross.
Louder for the back: SENSITIVITY TRAINING
I respect this man. Instead of having a victim mentality and trying to cash in, he thinks of the welfare of the innocent people that would be affected. That’s rare these days.
When you did the first video without naming the restaurant I thought it was so emotionally mature of you Paul. Huge thanks to Matthew for persuading you to edit that out. You absolutely did the right thing for all those employees.
You are not only educating people about the spectrum of disabilities but about having the emotional awareness and empathy
I appreciate that you realize your power to affect innocent people negatively because you had a bad time & that you are publicly choosing to forgive. We need more examples like this in life. You’ve taught me and so many others so much about blindness specifically and guide dogs. But also about disabilities and understanding. You are helping people communicate with your content. Thanks so much!
There was an article about a lady with a service dog for the blind that was denied entry to a church shortly after your first video on this appeared. The struggle is real.
We had a blind parishioner in our church. There was a special rug for him to sit on and he got dog treats when the woman took communion. Never will I forget the time the priest said, “Please stand” and the dog stood up with all the people. The priest could barely carry on.
I have said this a few times in the comments. The ADA needs to issue an ID for service dogs.
@@hollystiener16In this case churches are not required to follow ADA law.
@@ybunnygurl That is terrible!
@@hollystiener16the main reason I've seen from them as to why they don't do that is because they don't want to make disabled people come off as second class citizens.
The frustrating thing is a lot of people misunderstand & are even told by ads I’ve seen on UA-cam that emotional support animals are allowed to go anywhere service animals are-which is NOT what the Americans with Disability Act states. Emotional support=you can’t be refused a lease or charged a pet deposit. They’re still house pets that haven’t gotten training how to react in environments to keep themself & their human safe! Service dogs go through training for the various environments and still be assistive which is why they’re so expensive & difficult to get! There’s a quick FAQ page on the Americans with Disabilities Act if anybody has confusion/questions! ❤
Those ads trigger me so bad, lol. So messed up that disinformation is allowed to be distributed like that.
I’m happy to hear someone else saying this! I hate those commercials so much. My cat is going to be an esa but I’m pretty sure cats can’t even legally be service animals so I hate that the commercials are promoting lies
@@Animezingly Yes, only dogs can be service animals. The law used to allow miniature horses, but that was changed. I, too, have thought about getting my future cats certified as emotional support animals. They would provide emotional support, for sure, but it would be nice not to have to pay another 2 non-refundable pet deposits....just because my other cats died. Also, the apartment management charges monthly pet rent per pet. My cats would never go outside, so there would be no cleanup. And I know they're not going to scoop the litter boxes for me, so why am I paying rent? I'll jump through some hoops if it means I don't have to pay for the mere privilege of caring for my cats.
Thank you for standing up for disabled people. I have a genetic degenerative bone disease. At work they apparently do not understand that genetic means it’s in my genes and can’t be changed. My bones are wearing away and I’m in constant pain. I’m constantly told by my manager that I should walk more because walking is good for me. Ummm no. Walking is just wearing away my bones. They ask why don’t I just have hip/knee replacements. Because it affects every bone in my body. My ankles, my feet, arms, wrists etc. but people always think they have an answer when actually they have no clue. It really sucks.
As if they’d know more about your condition than you do yourself 🙄 how patronising, that must drive you nuts.
@@angelaryder7777 it’s hard when these things come from my mangers. Now they have decided that maybe I’m too disabled to work anymore (I work in an office at a computer) so they are trying to force me to retire. Sadly intolerance for disabled people is far more common than people realise. 😢
Thank you for including all disabilities in your message, especially invisible disabilities. There are too many people out there who think they have the right to decide whether those of us with any sort of invisible disability are actually "disabled enough" to use things like disabled parking spaces, service dogs, or mobility aids. It's hard enough living with a disability of any kind; having to deal with these self-appointed "disability police" just make it so much worse.
I've even encountered a few folks passing judgement about who qualifies as 'disabled enough' here in the comments.... someone complained about an ambulatory wheelchair user existing... and someone else implied autistic people are lying about being autistic. (Which is a common reactionary response to the positive strides autistic advocacy and the neurodiversity movement have made in the last decade.)
It was like: hey, did you not watch the video?
I have an invisible disability and I’m going to receive a medical alert service dog soon. Thank you for sharing this, I’m confident I will be in this situation at some point, and it helps to know what to say and do.
My best advice is to remain calm and politely ask for a manager. That's typically resolved any issues I've had out and about. The bigger issue I've had is un-accepting family who refuse to view him as a service dog.
@@mkuhnactual thank you for the advice, I will remember that. I’m sorry about your family, that’s lame. I’m fortunate that my chosen family is very supportive.
I hope he wasn't talking about his own family, but a family that acted poorly while he was out in the public eye.
@@alicecain4851 Unfortunately I was talking about my own family. I'll get invited to family functions with my service dog specifically not invited.
You did the right thing by not putting the restaurant on blast. It helped deescalated the incident from blowing up in unspeakable proportions. You’re a very kind hearted soul my friend! 😍
When I was a young kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, there was a very nice elderly man who was completely blind and had a service German Shepherd (his name was Lord...I will never forget). I used to absolutely love when the man and Lord would come walking by my house because I had always wanted a dog, which I never got. Both the man and his guide dog were a delight and a treat to interact with. Godspeed to those who need service dogs and to the trainers who spend years preparing our canine friends for this kind of service.
Paul, I saw your UA-cam Short on this subject and as a disabled person myself I was appalled by the restaurant’s original behavior in kicking you out. I’m sorry that happened. I’m sorry non disabled people are screwing it up for the rest of us. Hugs for you, Matthew & of course Mr Maple ❤
💯
Bremember it was the actions of 1 person, not the restaurant per se.
@@maxineb9598 true but in being rude to Paul and Maple by kicking them out, he was representing said establishment therefore making the whole place look bad.
@@briankuhn_ he may represent this but there are other people working there. It could impact their life in such a negative way, depending on what you wanted to do with the restaurant.
Businesses. Businesses are screwing it up for us by failing to follow the law.
Let's do our best not to inadvertantly contribute to the ableist idea that we can tell who's disabled and who isn't by looking.
Not all disabilities are visible. Having you come here and talk about your disability has helped to show that it doesn't need to be an obvious disability to be a disability. Thank you!
It took me 20 minutes to get my 14 yr old hound out of a park yesterday because he wanted to be friends with the geese. I cannot imagine trying to pawn his stubborn ass off as a service dog. Just me sitting there with a howling dog in a restaurant like, "yeah, he is a service dog". I am so sorry this happens to you or anyone. Your pretty awesome to think about others the way you did. That karma is gonna pay back ten fold. Also...I love your art.
hehe yeah, pretty common for servers to not even realize I have a service dog and he just chills at my feet under the table unless he's needed. Oh and service dogs are trained to ignore dropped food too.
We were fortunate enough to get a service dog (trained at a state prison) for our twin diabetic grandsons. He was a little silver silky terrier weighing in at 10 pounds and exceptionally good at his job. Seeing 2 rambunctious boys looking fit you would not know they had a disability. Can not tell you the times we were turned away from places until we got a letter (from of all people) their endocrinologist with a picture of Charlie (the dog) certifying that he was a service animal. Never had a problem after that. In the 15 years they had Charlie we lost count of the times (mostly at night) that he alerted us to dangerously high or low blood sugars. At age 16 Charlie was blind, deaf and had cancer. When the time came to have him euthanized, we were all heartbroken. It has been 6 months, and we miss him every day. You are right. Many people love their dogs and want to take them with them or take them so as not to leave them in a hot or freezing vehicle. Putting a "service dog" vest or some such thing on them does sound like an easy solution. However, it is not a good idea.
Thank you for mentioning the type of dog. I recently dealt with someone claiming that small dogs couldn’t be service dogs and that’s so untrue. In some ways, small dogs can be ideal as service dogs because they are easier to handle. A chihuahua in a purse may still be able to work as medical alert dog.
@@Annie5825 Small dogs wouldn't make great service dogs for leading you places. Too easy to get underfoot. But I have heard good things about them for medical alert dogs.
The company that I worked in Brazil, used to selected some people to training social with guide dogs. A friend get one puppy and her job was basically be with dog all the time, to made him get used to all sort of environments. For one year. The dog was wearing the red necklace showing he was in training to be a guide dog. She was kick out of so many places and she had to report every place that treat her like that. Including subway!!!! This happened 10 years ago and its very sad that people still doing this, with all the information around...
I'm so glad you're raising awareness of this, so many people are quietly refused service and don't have a way to fight back
good no animal where we serve food. its vile
@@DellikkilleD As are you.
You were so professional about it! You could have lashed out, but you took the opportunity to bring awareness and that was admirable ❤
I happened to stumble onto this video by accident but as I listened to your story and I must say you have an generous and kind heart. Most people in your situation would sue. But the fact that you were worried about the ramifications it could cause to other workers who weren't present in your situation tells a lot about your character. Also the education on blindness was quite helpful!
I just had a bad experience at a restaurant drive through. I’m not blind but sometimes it takes me a little while to state my order at the drive through. The employee interrupted me five times while I was ordering. I told him to give me a little bit and stop interrupting me. I finally got so upset by his interruptions that I said “never mind” and stopped my order. I drove up to the drive through window and explained why I canceled my order. I educated him about being patient with people that might be autistic or have a speech impediment. He YELLED at me to “get your ass out of here and don’t come back”. I was so upset. I drove away crying, and scared, but then I parked somewhere close and called the restaurant to talk to a manager. The manager said he heard everything and was in the process of firing the employee. I never wanted the guy fired. I just want to be treated fairly when I’m placing a drive through order. That’s it. You’re right; they are not educated properly.
I am not autistic (as far as I know), but even I sometimes struggle with placing a drive-tru order at those speaker boxes. I never know if the person is ready to listen to my order. One can mostly not see a menu at that point, and I sometimes forget the different items. Maybe I should write a shopping list before going.
As the guardian of the restaurant the manager really did have to fire that employee. There is a world of difference between not understanding disabilities and yelling at a customer. Yes the employee needed disability understanding. But he was fired for being abusive to a customer. That had nothing to do with your disability. It’s just never okay.
I have a bad stutter, no social awareness and an auditory processing disorder. Gosh I get you, not only in drive throughs either, some people are just asses
I understand how upset you were in the moment and why you named the restaurant but I am very happy Matthew, who didn't experience it, was calm enough to see the bigger picture at that moment. You make a great team.
I saw a video once of a woman who parked in a handicap spot and removed her prosthetic leg when confronted by an angry patron because she didn't look disabled. People with disabilities being called out because they don't match some preconceived idea of what that disability should look like is far too common and infuriating. I commend you for being able be so compassionate and think of the other people who would have been affected. I don't have a disability but if I were in your position, I'm not sure I'd be able to be as kind and probably would have advocated for that rude guy to get fired. I appreciate this video as a reminder that sometimes it's better to try patience and kindness first.
I had a similar experience. I went to a supermarket and couldn’t get parked in a dedicated disabled parking bay, so I used a parent/child bay. These are complimentary whereas the disabled bays are mandatory. A woman with children and friends in tow started shouting at me…. I shouldn’t be parked there etc. (I don’t think my car helped, a small convertible bmw….). She continued shouting and complaining and swearing as she walked away. I got my mobility scooter out of the boot and went to find customer services to check I had the right to park where I did ( and I did). She had been just before me continuing to rant and rage and people taking up parking places where they had no rights to park. I had the shakes inside because of her and id totally forgotten what I gone to buy. 😵💫😅
Now I understand the situation better, that the rude server had had his own bad situation the day before. I love it that Matthew wanted to take the name of the restaurant out. And then today when you explain the consequences to another restaurant and all of the innocent staff, etc. I’m really happy that you did not name the restaurant. I also smiled at you getting places early and then getting annoyed when people are only on time. My mother was like that. she blew her first date because she left without him because she have been waiting half an hour, even though he got there on time!
As our diabetic alert dog continues in her training, I find that we are educating many people along the way. Thank you for your compassion.
It's so frustrating that people still just don't get it that you can be legally blind and still retain a little bit of eyesight.
People are so quick to demonize without giving the institution opportunity to address the situation first. Thank you, Matthew and Paul, for exercising decency by communicating the issue to the establishment management so they have the opportunity to address the issue first.
At the same time, it's frustrating to see how quickly people will demonize other people but excuse the institution that holds the majority of power in the situation.
We need to stop blaming people bringing poorly trained dogs into businesses and start holding the businesses accountable for allowing poorly trained dogs.
The business holds the power in both situations and they are neglecting their duty to abide by the law. They are using their negligence in exercising their rights to justify violating the rights of others. That's what needs to be addressed.
I mean in most situations if they address the situation properly then things work out. I guarantee the restaurant that shut down didn't make a statement or fire the rude server
🦮 I live in the UK and have an assistance dog due to my physical disability, you wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve seen people putting a vest that they’ve clearly had made and put on their pet dog that is barely obedience trained let alone assistance dog trained. It’s awful because people tar us all with the same brush.
‘People tar us with the same brush’ is a fire quote. I’m sorry for the situation though.
I don't know about fire quotes, but the poster means that everyone will think people who need the dogs are lying.
@@trudilawrence9899 Yeah I know, I just thought it was a really cool way to say that.
I like that in the UK they're assistants ❤🤓
@@achanwahn me too, I think it has a more personal feel to it than service dog.
I had a nurse who was legally blind, I have since learned blind is a wide spectrum. It rubs me wrong when Ihear 'you don't look XYZ' like blind people are all supposed to be missing eyes or something.
In every video where you’ve addressed misunderstandings or flat out ignorance, you and Matthew have always shown such grace. You two are so inspiring in what you do and what you represent 🦮
Hey Paul thank you for sharing. I have a service dog in training in Australia 🇦🇺. The number of times I’ve seen dogs labeled services dog that clearly aren’t trained anywhere near the level that a full access service dog is blows my mind. Thanks for sharing xx
I had no idea that this was a problem. People are so selfish.
I really think if the ADA would make a certification process to identify actual service animals this wouldn't be an issue. A FEDERAL certification program.
I have a completely different disability than yours, Paul, and yet I feel so supported by the videos you put out. THANK YOU!!!
same. Paul and Matthew and Maple are like our tribe.
I have psychiatric disabilities and just some minor physical issues, but I still feel like Paul and Matthew are part of my community and would be kind and understanding towards me. I especially relate to the struggle of having an invisible disability, because most strangers think I'm an ordinary student at uni or something - whereas in reality I'm unable to work, socially isolated and suffer from constant anxiety and sensory overload while out in public. But you can't tell by just looking at me. I'd also be terrified of walking into a restaurant alone, but not because of blindness, but my mental disorders.
That phrase is always so frustrating "You don't look blind" thats the thing nobody really does unless their eyes are physically effected by the cause. My mom had a coworker who was blind but he lost his sight due to a workplace injury so his eyes were always closed. But otherwise most aren't any different looking then seeing people. In any case I'm glad this was resolved amicably
“And you don’t look rude. I guess looks can be deceiving.”
A blind friend and cane user had a run-in with a city bus driver who told him he didn’t look blind. My friend told the bus driver, “That’s funny, because you don’t look stupid either, but I guess you are.”
I didn't realise there was a spectrum of blindness until I received the news I had papilledema. I'm finally in remission now, but some aren't so lucky and my heart goes out to them. Thank you for all the great videos you out to spread awareness about invisible disabilities every video really helps 😊
I actually had a harness for my miniature schnauzer that was black with white reflective lettering that said Blind Dog that attached to a regular leash. It had a hoop that went from his shoulder to shoulder in a circle in front of his face so if he was going to walk into something it would hit the hoop and warn him. I did not do or go anywhere that would need him to be a service dog and nothing said he was a service dog. It said Blind Dog, because people (especially children) would come up on him without warning and try and pet him or they'd let their dogs run at him. I was constantly lectured about how I should be ashamed of myself for pretending I was blind. It amazed me how many people would approach a stranger walking on a public street and make it their business.
How did you react when you told them the dog was blind?
@@valenz1234 It went 1 of 3 ways.
1) continue to lecture but now about me "pretending" my dog was a service dog.
2) immediately bend down and start petting my dog (or allow their child to.) For either of these I'd have to pick my dog up and walk away before they stressed him out. Being in unknown public spaces was always a challenge, he like it and wanted to sniff and meet other dogs and people and he needed it to be social, but if it was too busy he would get disoriented and start to shake 3) they would ask if they could pet or ask about the hoop and I could let my dog know someone was going to put their hand on him or a dog was going to be at his butt. He had commands for that, not commands to do anything, more just so he'd know something was about to touch him.
My son has an invisible disability, I have not yet applied for the parking sticker because I do not want to have to explain myself to people. You have such a kind heart to use this situation for good hopefully no more people will be in this situation because of what you do.
My sister is disabled and qualified for a sticker, but her university didnt believe that she truly needed it and denied her parking accomodation request. Her disability is visible in a flare up but to the uneducated it doesnt seem as severe as it is. People are so ignorant. She fought it for months. Walking causes her flare ups, so its a terrible cycle. I dont blame you for putting it off, its such a PITA.
Ugh flare ups are so embarrassing. I'll look perfectly fine, maybe a little under the weather or bloaty, but stop being able to do like 90% of what I normally can. It costs zero bucks for people to not question me taking the elevator for a single floor.
I've taken to saying I'm a fall hazard because it's easier to explain, even if it isn't strictly true.
Good job educating this restaurant and not outing them publicly.You addressed it and took your issue up with management in an adult manner,that speaks volumes to your character
my thoughts 100% you are the bigger, better, person please never change
Your video was so popular, even my Mom who is in her 70s and not on any social media/UA-cam/etc, and isn't very good with the Internet, saw it! I was over at her place and she randomly says, "I was watching this video of a nice young blind man who wasn't allowed in a restaurant with his guide dog, and that was such a shame!" 😄🥰
Oh my goodness! Why am I so flattered that your 70 year old mom called me a nice young blind man?? Tell her thank you ❤
@@MatthewandPaulOfficial Aww I surely will! My Mom is the absolute best! 😄🥰
Hi Paul I just wanted to say a huge thank you. I also have RP and have been dealing with my sight degrading since childhood. I reached the severely visually impaired UK classification for blind mid last year. As you might guess a hard time for me. Only a couple of days after I came across your video's and have been watching everything you post. Your videos have helped me so much to see someone with RP and your level of sight living such a vibrant happy fun filled life. I've been putting off cane training but I must start soon. Thank you again for all your time energy and warmth in your videos.
I love, love, love the way you handled this. Education is best.
Maple’s having the time of his life in the background of this video and I love that for him 🦮
I truly respect and admire your decision to not give out the restaurant's name. Thank you for sharing your story.
You're a far better man than me. I'd be shouting the name from the roof tops and I'd sue the shit out of the restaurant.
I feel educating is a better option in most circumstances like that one. Im a person with a disability and a medical alert service dog. I use a power wheelchair so my disability is visible but I get most people questioning my dog is service dog because she's a small dog. Thank-You for making people aware of things like this.
🦮I’m so glad you shared your story. My daughter is legally blind, (she’s not needing a service animal yet) and we spend so much time just trying to educate people, trying to make them understand. I’m glad you could sit down with the owner of the restaurant and it’s been an educational moment.
I was born with a disability and at some point Mother told me that I would likely always represent people with disabilities. It has served me well. I am now 60 years old and Mother is 81 and yes I will be asked from time to time what I have or why I am in a chair. Thanks to Mom I am comfortable handling these situations. It might be iffy from time to time but usually the person asking is more uncomfortable than I am.
🦮🦮🦮 It is complicated and difficult when you are disabled in any way. My son is autistic. People do ask us what he has and tell me he doesn’t « look » autistic as if there is an autistic look… Dogs are essential to so many disabled people. Thank you for sharing once again your story and also for sharing your vulnerability. Love your videos, from a fellow Canadian. 🦮🦮🦮
I don’t understand how anyone would say he doesn’t look blind, to me it is obvious; for context, my grandpa was blind so growing up I became familiar with subtleties that simply cannot be faked… I’m not sure how to articulate it, but the best way I can describe it is that his eyes are very expressive but not reactive if that makes sense. I am amazed by such a capacity for forgiveness and making education the priority is such an admirable quality.
He holds his eyes open wide, probably subconsciously trying to let more light in. Or maybe he's just excited all the time lol ❤
I had an Aunt that became Legally Blind due to having Glaucoma. She was able to travel voices by listening and automatically turned in that direction. Looking like she could see. I've learned so much from your videos and guide dogs. Thank you.
You guys are a serious 'class act' for giving the restaurant a chance to rectify the issue. If you do go back after some time, it would be great to see a follow-up video of your experience to see what has changed in their approach to service animals.
Your ability to have such grace and introspection and compassion for this situation is really inspirational. I'm actively working on myself to be more like this in difficult situations.
Paul, yours and Matthew's compassion for others puts warmth into my heart. Two beautiful, gracious men! And a cute puppy too! ❤🦮
As someone with a invisible disability I completely understand how it feels to defend your disability constantly and I'm sorry that you have to go through that. I so greatly respect you for your willingness to educate instead of cancel. I know we often want to expose people for their -isms but when we do that we often shut down any room for education.
Had that happen with my Multiple Sclerosis dog at a local market. My kids and I were so upset and I was in tears.
Thank you. For your kindness, and for educating all of us! I’m so glad to have this information. ❤
You handled this with such kindness & understanding. I can only imagine how hard it would have been to go through, then to go back to the restaurant & meet with the manger. I hope the restaurant staff & others do learn from this & do better. They’ve really been given a second chance here, education from you, no community repercussions because you chose not to share the name or a fine for denying you entry.
There are people who can’t lift a finger for others. Literally, the turn signal is just a finger away, and many don’t even bother to use it. I believe these are the same people who don’t care about the impact of misusing service dog harnesses. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I'm glad you do care about other people!
You are a good person and you did the right thing not naming the restaurant but using this story to educate!
Matthew is a good man. Everyone needs a partner like matthew ❤
I agree💯♥️
Kudos to you (and those around you) for taking this in such a positive and constructive direction. Glad to see the update.
My dad is recently blind, this would piss me off! I live close to Seattle- this breaks my heart.
When management is on our side we don’t need the courts. So glad it worked out 🎉🎉
My 2nd cousin was blind ( when he was living). We walked into a restaurant with his guide dog. We got so many stares. He had his harness and vest , etc. It's incredible how many people still don't know how to react or respond to seeing a guide dog. 😢 Thanks for the educational information!
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This is why I love you and Matthew. Both of you are so genuine and really take the time to educate people about blindness and the rights associated with any disability. I loved that you didn't call the restaurant out (trust me I was one of millions - pitchfork ready to go in protest 😡). But when you mentioned how you forgave the employee and the establishment, cuz you didn't want to cause trouble for all the others - my heart melted. If you can let it go, I can too.😊
I also love when you tell stories one-on-one with us especially UNEDITED! 😂 Mr. Maple in the background just being himself, makes it all the more genuine. ❤
P.S. LOVE your outfit PAUL! Lookin' good~ 👌🏾👍🏾😎
I too am a blind person with some sight. I describe it as living in a foggy blur. I use a modified hiking stick as I need assistance staying upright and wobble when I don’t have one. I too have to daily explain that total blindness is rare. I wasn’t born this way but suffered an accident. I have not let it slow me down and we also live in an area that I feel safe walking about by myself. Having people tell me I’m lying about it hurts my feelings and makes me feel awful. I’m glad to see people like yourself stand up for your rights and bring awareness to the issues we have.
Excellent storytelling, and SO valuable! I hope this one, with its lessons and insights, goes as vital as the previous ones.
This just popped up in my feed out of nowhere, but I'm glad it did. Thank you for your story. My father (named Paul by the way) had macular degeneration. Even I, sometimes, forgot that he had difficulty seeing so I understand why it is so important to take people we first meet at face value. Our first instinct should be to trust them. In todays world this is so hard to do, and the people who dress their pets in service dog vests and etc. make it even harder. My best wishes to you.
I have chronic migraine headaches. They make me very sensitive to temperature changes. I live in Arkansas and in the summer temperatures in the 90-100 degree range are common. My neurologist gave me a wheelchair placard for my car so I don't have to walk far in the heat (greatly lowered risk of triggered headaches). On several occasions over the years I have had to deal with dirty looks and muttered insults when I get out of my car and walk into my destination simply because my disability isn't immediately visible. I try to not let it bother me.
I think the way you handled this affair with the restaurant shows your strength of character and I applaud your decision to not reveal the restaurant name. Most people would have let anger guide them. Bravo! 😊
I have Gut issues and need to use a wheelchair stall if it's available when I'm having issues. A. I need the chair height toilet, and B. I need the space to clean myself.
One day I was using it at the mall and this lady says, excuse me, there's a handicap lady who needs the handicap stall. The lady in the wheelchair chair says, loudly I'm fine, no rush. And then says to the woman just so you know lots of people have invisible disabilities that you couldn't tell unless they need accommodations. As I was coming out of the stall I said thank you. Turns out she had an ostomy bag... And she had it before she had the wheelchair so she felt my pain about being walking and still needing the handicap stall. 😊
It's wonderful, and shows what a great person you are, that you used this opportunity to educate the public.
Excellent way to change the world , educate and be positive
It hard dealing with disabilities. I love the way you present your life. It is a light on otherwise dark days.
You are doing more than you know to help educate people. I was able to have a conversation with my 9 year old yesterday about the fact that people who are visually impaired can be considered legally blind even if they can see a little bit. I explained to him what you had shared about your sight. The conversation started because he saw a small portion of your video and said you didn’t look blind. Hopefully this is something that will stick with him and he will remember it when he meets someone who’s blind so that they don’t have to do the work to educate him.
Paul, I’m sorry you had to endure this. I feel so badly this happened to you and Mr. Maple. Thank you for posting this and for educating millions of others about disabilities, that there are spectrums of the disability, etc. I empathize when you say people tell you that you don’t “look” blind. What is that even supposed to look like???!!!! *sigh* I have been dealing with chronic health problems for a couple of decades. I have been brushed off by numerous doctors and nurses because I “don’t look sick”. I have been told so many times I’m making it up. It’s so frustrating, discouraging, angering, depressing, etc. It makes a person feel so alone, helpless, and sad. Long story to say, THANK YOU for your education, for your beautiful heart, for your kindness, compassion, and thank you for the giggles you, Matthew and Mr. Maple have provided me over the past couple months since I discovered you. My love and appreciation to all 3 of you! 🩷🤗🦮
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Your gracefulness and graciousness throughout this whole situation is so admirable. While you'd be so well within your rights to continue to be outraged and pursue further action, your thoughtfulness towards the multitude of other individuals that would be involved and your decision to take additional time and energy to educate others is truly outstanding.
Awww I love you and Mr. Maple so much. It's horrible what happened to you but thankfully they were able to resolve it with you.
Thank you for your compassion and integrity. You considered this an opportunity for education not retribution. Joy to you always.
Thank you for educating us and thank you for not naming the resto. As someone who's worked in a service setting before, I'm grateful that you considered the ramifications and didn't escalate when you took time to look at it objectively. You guys are the sweetest and I wish you all the best ❤❤
But the shit employee should face repercussions
Im glad you handled it well and with maturity. ❤❤❤