The Tommy Edison Experience You're at the top of my list of people I want to meet before I die. You're a true gift to this world, Tommy. I wish I could make it.
I GREW UP WITH THAT VOICE!!! Holy SMOKES, I'm so glad I watched all the way to the end. I grew up in Stamford and Norwalk in Connecticut, and we always had the car radio tuned to 99.9. I heard, "Tommy Edison, Star 99.9" most every day at some point, and only now have I met the man behind the traffic report. I just started watching your videos today, and it blows my mind to think that we'd have crossed paths again after all these years. Never would have known you were blind- you were just another man doing your job. UNBELIEVABLY nostalgic to hear that soundoff again. Take care and God bless.
I kind of understand people who don't subscribe when they see a blind guy. They think he's gonna talk about his sad moments and depressing experiences. Nobody wants to see that kind of stuff. I was like that when I first found Tommy but he's not like others, he's very positive.
My guitar teacher is blind and he's the best teacher ever. I've always been excited to go to guitar classes because he's a lot of fun, but also thanks to his assistence dog. The atmosphere in the class has always been great, I love having him in my life.
My blind aunt worked for twenty years down at the FBI building stocking vending machines. She loved what she did! I guess they didnt have to worry about her seeing confidential information if she wandered into the wrong area lol
You actually can be a blind waiter! Here in Stockholm, Sweden (and probably in other places aswell I guess) there's a dark-room restaurant with blind waiters. I've been there once and it was completely black so we who were sighted was completely lost without guidance. It was a blind leading a blind, but in a good way haha! Great place in many ways!
@@austindangerpowers8453 The Idea actually came from Zurich Switzerland and here we call it "the blind cow", see this article below: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindekuh_%28restaurant%29
Chieh Hsu That is pretty funny to think about how you should probably not talk about the wrong person 😂 I am actually from Basel too - always though I should go to that restaurant, no idea why I never ended up actually eating there. Now it’s back on my backet list
I'm visually impaired and I work as a Registered Massage Therapist! I love my job because I feel like I have a bit of an edge over fully sighted people who do the same work in some aspects. :) And to those who are harping on Tommy for judging anyone who's not blind and not working, I'm sure he meant those who are able in every way. Obviously there are lots of circumstances that prevent someone from holding down a job. Some of these can be eliminated through accessing the proper resources, but obviously every situation is unique. I think what he was referring to is people who just choose not to work because the jobs they are able to get are menial in their eyes such as working at a fast food restaurant etc. That's the impression I got.
I live in the UK and get disability and unemployed benefits for mental health problems and chronic illness there's quite a lot of stigma I guess due to media and the government implying everyone on benefits is a scrounger or faking it (people with hidden disabilities often get abuse), I do public speaking about my mental health problems especially in schools it's very empowering
@Mr Blobby! Subscribers with no videos What I mean is he doesn't sit around on his ass all day profiting from the help, he does thing with his life, and is helped with his income because of his *disability*, for fuck's sake. Also I will get a job. As soon as I finish my degree. Asshole.
I know a blind lady who is a singer, and she's lovely. She has a black lab service dog. A different blind lady I know works at a power company in the office, and her service dog is a german shepherd named Lola. (:
I know a blind-singer too. He works at our music school, and he's amazing as a singer. I also knew a blind-pianist, he played amazing too. He now studies abroad.
Hey Tommy I just found your channel a few weeks ago and I just wanted to give you a big THANK YOU for being such a happy guy and all your jokes it really makes my day every time you upload and cheers me up when I am down :D. You are a big inspiration and I wish all people would think like you. Keep it up ;)
Blind person who works in communications here! But one thing Tommy didn't address is that frankly the blind community does face a lot of struggles gaining employment. In Canada, only 30% of blind people are employed. 70% of people surveyed said that if they had two candidates came in for a job - both equally qualified; one blind, the other sighted - that they would hire the sighted person. This is why so many blind people are on social assistance, and it isn't anything to be ashamed of, or any reason to make that person less than.
The company I used to work at employed a blind guy for a position that only a blind person could do. He did work as a software developer but he also tested the software that the company developed for accessibility for screenreaders.
Hey tommy. My great aunt was blind and it affected me so much I got a handicap tattoo on my arm when I was 19 years old. Never told anyone about it. It was just a symbol. I am almost 50 years old now. It is extremely important to me. My grandfather also went blind. I am losing my vision slowly. I just appreciate you and your zest for life. I love life. I am going strong.
There are special restaurants that are completely in the dark and vision impaired people are serving the guests. It's a great way to build work space for vision impaired people and to provide view into the life of said people. Eating and talking to other people in the dark is quite challenging and odd for sighted people.
it would be so cool if Tommy went to one of those, and then they turn on the lights and the sighted people find out he's blind. I will bet he'd have the least messy plate there!
DarkCisum If anyone lives in Toronto, Canada, there is a restaurant like that called O Noir. Blind people are the servers, cooks, etc. and it's completely dark.
I can totally imagine what happens when the health department inspectors come in. "We didn't know we had to tell you to have LIGHTING." "We have no lighting--on purpose." "..."
In my country, Singapore, we have this kind of restaurant too! Their staffs except the receptionist are blind or partially blind. For about $20 , people get to experience a 3 course meal in total darkness and talk to the staffs about their experiences. It's really interesting
I LOVE this video! I worked for several years in the field of employment for individuals with disabilities. It's absolutely amazing to see someone obtain and maintain a job long enough to get off their benefits. Way to go, Tommy! Your message is amazing and I hope others with disabilities enter the workforce and have the same joy you have for working!
dylan Williams im legally blind as well and I'm an actress. For those asking, legally blind means your BEST CORRECTED vision is 20/200 or worse. Glasses and contacts don't help us. We can still see a little bit, but we are considered blind by law. About 90% of "blind" people actually do have some sight. Blindness is a spectrum and we don't all see complete darkness.
Living Able its depends, legally blind means that your eye site can not be corrected with glasses/contaclenses or sometimes not even an operation. So you can say they pretty blind
My vision is weird. I'm legally blind in my left eye and farsighted in my left eye. However, my right eye is so nearsighted that I can only see clearly about 10 feet from me. My favorite thing is giving my glasses to people and watching their reactions.
nachoman4ever very true. having it described is horrendous but nobody would imagine how horrendous unless seen with own eyes. nobody would like from audio description or hearing the film's.
I had a blind TA for one of my chemistry classes. The way he could recall the orientation of molecules was incredible. Haven't seen him in awhile, but he was definitely an inspiration !
Even for sighted people, there are some things we simply can't do. For myself, there are mental issues preventing me from getting a job. For instance, just being around other people in public causes me such a large amount of stress and pressure that I struggle to function. I can't talk to others in public or even on the phone whatsoever, and I'm too anxious to even do what I'm at that place for if I know other people are there.
Have you considered remote work? There are lots of jobs which don't necessarily require contact with other people, especially in today's day and age. After all, you're talking to me right now aren't you? 😜
I didn't think I could admire you any more, but I do. I am 50 and worked retail my entire life. I was burnt out and wanted to follow my passion, which is helping people on their spiritual path. Among other challenges, I became legally blind 8 months ago. I just starting drawing disability and am already ready to get back in the work force but I still want to pursue my passion as well. I am working with the DBVI and am going to speak with my cane instructor at my next lesson❤😇 Thank you for what you do and for inspiring so many Blessings
Tommy, I started watching your videos a month or two ago and I love them. But I think it's important for people to know that there are people with certain disabilities who literally can't work. I used to have a condition that meant I couldn't work. I desperately wanted to be well enough to work (even part-time or from home, I'd have worked one hour a week if I could) and it was so hard to hear everyone in the media and politicians talking about how people on disability benefits should be encouraged/made to work, as if the only reason people don't work is because they are work shy or perhaps afraid/discouraged (also legitimate!). It used to get me down so much. As soon as I could work again I did. At the time I could barely look after myself. My parents wanted me to move in with them in a different city (I'm was in my late 20s and early 30s) and I really wanted to maintain my independence. So my fight was to look after myself. Sometimes I was in tears trying to get to or from a medical appointment by myself, or on the very very rare occasions I got out for an hour to do something social (and paid for it in my body afterwards). That's how I originally got into youtube and vloggers. People online were often my only window into the outside world, and I lived vicariously through them. Anyway, I love your feistiness, determination and resilience and I hope your video encourages someone who is daunted at the idea of working and challenges people who have preconceptions of people with disabilities as being lazy. I just thought it was important for people watching who might feel really down on people who claim disability benefits to understand what some people are dealing with.
Louise that's not what he's saying at all. He's saying that he IS able to work, so he's not on disability. And people who don't FEEL like working shouldn't be on disability. That's not what it's there for. You both agree that people who can't physically work should be on disability.
That is the main thing that both able-bodied people and disabled-but-not-sick people need to realize IMO: sometimes chronically ill people can *technically* push themselves to do certain things, but it doesn't mean that they should. A lot of people have illnesses that will become worse either temporarily or permanently if they push themselves too hard.
Incredibly in 45 years I've never met a blind person..! Have to say though you're an absolute phenomenal inspiration! Can't recall meeting someone so upbeat as yourself and always cheery! You're a credit to humanity!
Not everyone has got Tommys personality to nail interviews.. I've been rejected from soo many jobs, it's disheartening! There's no shame in accepting financial help as long as you aren't taking advantage of the system
I am right there with you....I've not gotten jobs that I thought I've "nailed" the interviews for, but most of the time I feel like I get nervous and say something dumb. Not to mention 90% of employers just don't call back, period...We can't all be overflowing with that much charisma!
He’s not saying that people who actually need the assistance are bad. He is just saying that he personally does not need it and there are a lot of people who don’t need it taking advantage of the system not even trying to get to where they do not need the assistance.
@@JobeCourtney Excuse me, can you explain to me why every human born unto this world does not have the right to own a small portion of land by birthright? And why all humans should cater to your will and try to get where they do not need "assistance".
@@JobeCourtney Thats the problem. You are forcing others to work hard in your selfinvented system. Lets say I make a system where all people are forced to clean public toilets on the weekend as part of their job? There would be an outrage, but to force others to give animals antibiotics, to genetically manipulate crops, nuclear powerplants, building of weapons, bullying at work, etc. etc. is seen as normal. Why should people be forced to be a slave of your ideas if you do not support theirs? Maybe not all people want to "work hard", and whats so despicable about that? Nothing.
Hi Tommy, you probably won't see this but I wanted to really thank you. I have been depressed for years (still am). But ever since I discovered your channel, I've been starting to see a whole new perspective on the world. Your happy spirit is very infectious, it opened a light I haven't seen for many years. I hope one day I can say I've overcome my struggles and be as happy and cheery as you. I hope you won't ever change. I recall on one of ur past video, "Shit sighted people say" there was one line about how the sighted call you an inspiration, I don't think it has to do with you being blind. Sighted or not, you are an inspiration to me.
I'm legally blind, I can see colour and shapes with my glasses and by seeing them very very close to my eyes. I just finished my career in statistics and I'm very proud of it. I met one guy that was blind in college and he was one of the happiest guys ever, he was studying economics and he graduated with me. I don't know what he is up to now but I know he finished college so that is kind of a big deal. In my own experience I don't really see a big problem with my terrible sight, it really can't stop you from doing what you want to do. I now work as a teacher in my own university and it's pretty good, although I can't see when my students cheat in exams it's still pretty great to be independent regardless my condition. Hope this was helpfull Tommy :)
I've been watching you non stop since Tuesday and you are a HUGE inspiration! I'm mildly sight impaired and can only see colored blurs without my glasses and I thank you for all the work you do. You're so funny and adorable and you have such a nice voice to listen to. Thank you for educating all of us with the struggles you face. You're such a happy guy and I love your videos ❤️
"Being a waiter is out of the equation" Actually, I heard of this restaurant, which served food in total darkness. The place hiered blind waiters, to guide people to their tables and bring out their food and drinks. So it's not all out of the picture.
Great attitude Tommy! I'm legally blind and I do work but I would never refuse my government check (which is an additional 8% to my salary) that I get for my disability. I know we have it way harder than others to live a life. We have to look out for someone who can drive us when we move houses or to get somewhere where there's no bus or train going or when we have to get our way around an airport. It is just fair that we get something back for the hassle we encounter and there are a lot of idiots who claim a share of the money without right!
Man I’ve been watching you channel for a long time, I always liked you but just now realised how awesome of a dude you are. I have an immense amount of respect for you.
do a video about you as a blind person when you go to a different city or a country can you feel the difference like if i told you we are going to Dubai and i took you to Alabama beside when people speak can you tell the difference ?
Only a sighted person would come up with this. If you were blindfolded the whole time, would you realize you were in Alabama? You'd have no idea where you were but Tommy would, at the very least, know he was not in Dubai. Chances are good he'd know he wasn't in Dubai by the time his plane touched down.
Out of all the video's I've seen of Tommy, this is the first one that made me realize how good of a voice he has to be on the radio. If he had sight, he would probably be an audio book reader. Much love, Tommy!
To everyone getting upset about his disability comment, he said it drives him crazy when people CAN work and choose not to. We all, including Tommy, know that some disabilities actually make people physically unable to work. That's why he said since he is able bodied he would rather go out than collect a check. Stop trying to find a reason to be angry and just appreciate the face that he is giving us his honest and fair opinion.
I had disability check because of severe depression. Because it was a mental illness people were thinking I did it to be lazy. But you learn to accept that. But after a year of therapy the depression is still there but manageable. Now I work again. Never be ashamed of requiring some help and others judge.
@@FishFreddy I know this is late but water fasting cured mine. I believe it is all gut related for the most part. Remember the gut is your second brain. Hit me up if you need more info
unemployment is designed to be temporary and we all pay for it in taxes every time we get our paycheck. i have no problem collecting unemployment benefits (while looking for work) if the government considers me eligible to collect it. people see it as a hand out but if youve been employed for years youve been paying into it every month.
your a true inspiration to those with disabilities, and although im not disabled in any way, i feel inspired to try things i normally would not try. your morals and values are something to behold and people in this would should strive to contribute to our world. i love being subscribed to this channle and i hope i cant meet you in person some day.
Tommy I live what you stand for! You have better work ethic and morals than 90% of sighted people. You are such an amazing person, you work so hard. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for doing what you do!
The Irony for me is I struggle to maintain high stress jobs because I see too much. Due to being a little Autistic, I have Severe Irlen Syndrome and my brain can't process light very well. I've still never taken a penny from the government, I'll find a way. Yeah sometimes it gets me down, but free money would be paying me to give up.
orangeedo more like paying you to help stay afloat. as long as you dont depend on it and get off it when you can. as for disability...... eh idk. but what does the syndrome do?
Hi tommy! I hope you read this comment! I just wanted to say that i love your videos and your outlook on life, especially your positivity that i always notice, you always put a smile on my face so thankyou for that. Stay awesome
Tommy I love you man! you're probably the most inspiring and genuine individual I've ever stumbled upon on UA-cam. please keep making these videos! :) heave a great day Tommy!
Trevor Winn...Loom up CLAIRE WINELAND OR THE CLARITY PROJECT... Talk about an inspiring person! Her & Tommy did a video together even...It was great! :-D
You are the most inspiring person I've ever had the fortune to come across. I'm not blind myself & I don't have any blind friends but your words and attitude are truly inspiring to everybody regardless of who they are. Some of the things you say really do apply to me & you really make me think. If everyone was as positive as you, the world would be a wonderful place ❤
The part at the end about the jobs is so true, if you try you can probably make your dreams come true within reason. I never thought I'd make my living in the music industry but I worked my butt off and since I finished my sound production degree I've not worked a single day in a job outside the music industry
I'm legally blind and I used to be self-employed as a guitar teacher. I have a progressive genetic disease that leads to total blindness. In 2008 , when the guitar store I was teaching at moved to a location where they wouldn't have a studio for me to teach out of, in six months, I went from over 60 weekly students to 12 students and I taught them from my house, where there is no turn-over for new business. My last student quit about 5 years ago, and I"ve been COLLECTING A CHECK from SSDi for the last ten years. I also COLLECT FOOD STAMPS. Between SSDi and food stamps, I get just enough to not be homeless. Here in Illinois, unemployment for the blind and visually impaired is close to 50%! I guess there's just something fundamentally wrong with us Illinois blindies. That money I collect every month? NO, I DIDN'T EARN IT OR INHERIT IT BUT IT'S MINE. I always thought that anyone would want to form a band with a blind guitarist, but it turns out to not be true. most musicians who are working rely on a vehicle of some sort to get them and their equipment to gigs and back, and have nothing but wishes of good luck for the blind. I guess it's my own fault for doing nothing but practice guitar for the past 30 years, but that's not the same thing as twiddling thumbs. This is a great video. What a great opportunity for me to feel like a blind parasite living off the hard work of able bodied people!
Have you tried working in another industry? Most disabled people, including myself, have had to give up their dream-career for any job that pays the bills. I'd do absolutely anything to have a little independence.
My son would have been blind if he had lived (he was born prematurely) this made me cry, just knowing what he could have done. Thank you. Thank you doesn't even come close to expressing my feelings..but..thank you
I had an English teacher that was blind. He was very good at his job and since he was blind, we concentrated a lot on speaking and listening, it was very nice! I still remember when he would write in braille during class, it amazed me and all of my classmates. Such a gentleman
I was waited on by blind staff at a restaurant in Toronto called O Noir. The room was completely dark so that all of the guests were blind while eating, too!
I miss listening to you on the radio & that last segment just a threw me back to when i would be driving to school & would listen to your traffic reports
I think so many of you have misinterpreted what he said - 'sighted people that REFUSE to work'... He didn't say that sighted people who can't work should work! His point is that if you can do something, you should do something. This is meant to be a positive message, and I definitely took the positivity from it! Thanks Tommy!
Maybe you did, but other people who have long gotten the message that everyone needs to work to prove their worth in society, and that deciding whether someone is capable of working is not up to a single outside observer who is unlikely to understand all of the reasons someone may not work, will have gotten exactly the message which people are replying to. It's also well worth noting that many of these comments are from the UK, where despite us having free health care for the moment, it's being sold off piece by piece and our government is trying to smash the welfare system too. After all, being in a situation where you have had to go through task after demeaning task only for an ATOS assessor to still write you off as "fit for work" because of a quota they need to meet to get paid more, where people have committed suicide in the after effects of being told they're capable, we have disabled people going homeless or having inappropriate homes since the bedroom tax has stripped them of the larger room to house carers in, potentially not being able to fit a wheelchair into the door because of the high demand for accessible council housing...I hope you understand now why people are disappointed at even an implication that someone's decision that they *could* get a job means they shouldn't claim disability payments. Sometimes intent matters less than the context and how some views can be distorted.
Great video Tommy! I loved the radio traffic report at the end. I've listen to that station and remember hearing your traffic reports in the past but never made the connection that was you! Hope to watch many more videos with you!
I'm a sighted person who collects a disability check. I worked for as long as I could, but I was getting sick too often or would come home after work and crash and literally have no life or get anything done at home. I ended up losing the last job I had teaching Pre-K because I was getting sick too much due to my disability. I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to work again, but for now I'm volunteering my time raising orphaned kittens for a rescue and babysitting when I can. I'm working on getting healthier but it's very difficult to work when it takes all the energy you have to just take care of yourself.
Im 24 and so many people my age dont understand a job isnt just a wage, its a purpose! I have social anxiety but i had to just force myself to do it! Justdoit.gif
No one pays to do a job that doesn't need to be done. Every job is necessary and has to be done ... so why not you? From a WilliamPainter commersh ... "The only way to do something is to do it". Do it .... be happy
I have a friend whose father is blind and he invents products for blind people, for example devices that make a sound when the glass you're filling is almost full, or a device that can tell what colors and patterns are on your clothes so you know they're matching, or just a device that reads newspapers out loud. Pretty cool stuff.
It really doesn't happen very often. Even the worst employees have a level of decency they won't go beneath, most of the time, when they are dealing with a blind customer.
I’m a professor of French and Spanish, a soprano vocalist and an acoustic guitarist. I do receive a check for the time being, but it’s only partial disability. I don’t do this because of my blindness - but due to my struggles with mental illness. I’m hoping that like Tommy, I’ll be able to not receive that anymore sooner rather than later. I am teaching a few hours a week; and yes, blind people are able-bodied people, able to work, pursue their dreams and be productive members of society.
My grandfather was blind, not from birth but he lost his vision soon after. We was a carpenter, a skilled craftsman. It was always so amazing to me that he could build and sculpt an amazing, symmetrical headboard and I couldn't put a box together.
Disability isn't free money - it's money YOU pay into the system while you work, accessed after you have proven to a judge that you can't work any longer. It's not easy to get, and it's entire based on your previous income and hours.
CaptMortifyd I hear ya. I do not think Tommy is suggesting it that way though. I got the impression he just meant for himself that it wouldn't feel right… that it would feel like it was not his money to take since he has proved himself able to work. I realize some in the comments section feel Tommy was painting all who qualify for disability with the same brush, but I didn't get that at all. Tommy is an insightful, thoughtful guy who can see the merit in disability checks for those who need it. He simply is saying he does not need it himself, so he'd not feel right about taking it. 😊
I'm from Europe, Hungary and I have a dear classmate who studied logistics, then we met at the Psychology Department in 2014. She (with her guide dog) is the most genuine person that I ever met. She is also a public speaker like you, Tommy. I know her struggles with studying: copying all the books we couldn't make a pdf of for her, her fights with some teachers... She shows that 'university is NOT an abled bodied person's privilege' - as some of the teachers said to her!
I'm SO glad he finally addressed this! People who assume someone's on disability just because they have a disability drive me crazy. If you actually NEED disability, believe me, it ALL goes to medical bills. I'm on disability because I am bed-bound, can't be conscious for more than a couple hours at a time, and it is the WORST lifestyle ever. And my check goes 100% to medical bills. That means you have to live with someone else, can't pay for your own food, can't pay for your own clothing or anything extra; it's not an "extra" check. And it is no way to live. I'm tellin' ya. I would give ANYTHING to feel productive and be independent.
I know a blind guy that works at an assembly job. Making cabinets. He trains newbies because he's so good and so positive. He's just an incredible guy doing a job that you would think would need sight but, because he knows his stuff, he rocks every day.
My son will be on SS ... but he has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Is in a wheel chair and his muscles are going away. He loves engineering so he told me he wants to design machines when he's older or be a professional game tester. I hope he can do what he loves. I support him 100%
Thanks for watching. Ben and I will be at VidCon in Anaheim, California next month, so if you're in the area or come to the event be sure to say hi.
The Tommy Edison Experience How do you imagine Death?
The Tommy Edison Experience You're at the top of my list of people I want to meet before I die. You're a true gift to this world, Tommy. I wish I could make it.
What do you do when you're selected for Jury Duty? What's that like?
The Tommy Edison Experience Have u been to Sweden once? I love ur vids I wish I met u some day😀
how did you typing this
"I know blind people who are lawyers." Confirmed Tommy knows Daredevil.
Pyrochaos You beat me to it.
Damnit! Beat me to the punch! Haha, get it!? I'll see myself out.
Give that man a cookie
Pyrochaos...Good one! HAHAHAHAHA! ;-p
45 minutes too late LoL Beat me to it as well.
I GREW UP WITH THAT VOICE!!!
Holy SMOKES, I'm so glad I watched all the way to the end. I grew up in Stamford and Norwalk in Connecticut, and we always had the car radio tuned to 99.9. I heard, "Tommy Edison, Star 99.9" most every day at some point, and only now have I met the man behind the traffic report. I just started watching your videos today, and it blows my mind to think that we'd have crossed paths again after all these years. Never would have known you were blind- you were just another man doing your job. UNBELIEVABLY nostalgic to hear that soundoff again. Take care and God bless.
its a small world
That's amazing!!
Amazing!
That is so cool!!
Now this is a UA-camr that deserves millions of subs
SANDY IT'S ME LENKA LMAOOOO
Lenka HAHAHAHA HEY GIRL WASSUP
Sandy Kara NOTHING MUCH, WBY? LMAO I WAS SCROLLING AND SAW U AND WAS LIKE "HOLY SHIT DAT SANDY"
I kind of understand people who don't subscribe when they see a blind guy. They think he's gonna talk about his sad moments and depressing experiences. Nobody wants to see that kind of stuff. I was like that when I first found Tommy but he's not like others, he's very positive.
Sandy Kara agreed
My dads blind and he's been a lawyer, judge and a hm apprentice for a government. My dad is my biggest inspiration and my best friend
goner amazing!!! He sounds like an incredible man!!!!
Awesome.
Question, what kind of lawyer was your dad?
Wouldnt a lawyer need to see evidence? Or is that not the case?
Genuinely interested
@@565656gooner They dont have to use their eyes, they can be aware of the existence of the evidence and make decisions based on that
Justice is blind
Gay
his attitude is brighter than my future
LOL
Cresting Light Apperently even a dark room is brighter than all of our futures 🤔
HAHAHAHAHAH
Haha, yeah. 😂
Macbeth m xD
My grandpa was a pastor.
His brother was a pianist for a gospel band.
Both blind from birth. Both smart asses. Both cool cats.
Wow
They still alive?
My guitar teacher is blind and he's the best teacher ever. I've always been excited to go to guitar classes because he's a lot of fun, but also thanks to his assistence dog. The atmosphere in the class has always been great, I love having him in my life.
My blind aunt worked for twenty years down at the FBI building stocking vending machines. She loved what she did! I guess they didnt have to worry about her seeing confidential information if she wandered into the wrong area lol
Wow, that make so much sense! I bet she overheard more in the corridors than they realised though :-P
You actually can be a blind waiter! Here in Stockholm, Sweden (and probably in other places aswell I guess) there's a dark-room restaurant with blind waiters. I've been there once and it was completely black so we who were sighted was completely lost without guidance. It was a blind leading a blind, but in a good way haha! Great place in many ways!
Wow! What’s it called?
@@austindangerpowers8453 The Idea actually came from Zurich Switzerland and here we call it "the blind cow", see this article below:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindekuh_%28restaurant%29
Lias Wildlife That’s dope
Pretty neat! I guess everyone gets around using a cane? My biggest concern would be the chefs though…
Chieh Hsu That is pretty funny to think about how you should probably not talk about the wrong person 😂
I am actually from Basel too - always though I should go to that restaurant, no idea why I never ended up actually eating there. Now it’s back on my backet list
"It's fun to work."
He's the coolest guy I've ever seen honestly wish I lived in the US and could hear him on radio.
What are your thought about bugs? Do they scare you?
Roasted.
geez is this what people consider being roasted nowadays lol
it was sarcasm xD
George YTG oh lol, sorry it's hard to detect sarcasm through text sometimes xP
yeah
I'm visually impaired and I work as a Registered Massage Therapist! I love my job because I feel like I have a bit of an edge over fully sighted people who do the same work in some aspects. :)
And to those who are harping on Tommy for judging anyone who's not blind and not working, I'm sure he meant those who are able in every way. Obviously there are lots of circumstances that prevent someone from holding down a job. Some of these can be eliminated through accessing the proper resources, but obviously every situation is unique. I think what he was referring to is people who just choose not to work because the jobs they are able to get are menial in their eyes such as working at a fast food restaurant etc. That's the impression I got.
I'm a massage therapist and I often close my eyes when focusing on an area. I get it!
You rock, Kathleen!
I live in the UK and get disability and unemployed benefits for mental health problems and chronic illness there's quite a lot of stigma I guess due to media and the government implying everyone on benefits is a scrounger or faking it (people with hidden disabilities often get abuse), I do public speaking about my mental health problems especially in schools it's very empowering
@Mr Blobby! Subscribers with no videos Fuck off, he just said he did public speaking, it's the exact same thing that Tommy does
@Mr Blobby! Subscribers with no videos What I mean is he doesn't sit around on his ass all day profiting from the help, he does thing with his life, and is helped with his income because of his *disability*, for fuck's sake.
Also I will get a job. As soon as I finish my degree. Asshole.
I know a blind lady who is a singer, and she's lovely. She has a black lab service dog. A different blind lady I know works at a power company in the office, and her service dog is a german shepherd named Lola. (:
Kaiya Peacock i know one girl from youtube who is deaf and she sings
I have a classmate who is a friend who is going to work in the department of rehabilitation.
I know a blind-singer too. He works at our music school, and he's amazing as a singer. I also knew a blind-pianist, he played amazing too. He now studies abroad.
I know a blind guy who's a lawyer up in Hell's Kitchen
And some rich fat bald guy keeps bullying him :(
Bradley Gearhart
I hear he’s a fan of the color red
He has horns too
@@themossycobble1903 .... and he looks like ben afleck
@@floggyWM1 maybe this channel is canon in that film universe. He could be an older Matt murdock
Hey Tommy I just found your channel a few weeks ago and I just wanted to give you a big THANK YOU for being such a happy guy and all your jokes it really makes my day every time you upload and cheers me up when I am down :D. You are a big inspiration and I wish all people would think like you. Keep it up ;)
Blind person who works in communications here! But one thing Tommy didn't address is that frankly the blind community does face a lot of struggles gaining employment.
In Canada, only 30% of blind people are employed. 70% of people surveyed said that if they had two candidates came in for a job - both equally qualified; one blind, the other sighted - that they would hire the sighted person. This is why so many blind people are on social assistance, and it isn't anything to be ashamed of, or any reason to make that person less than.
True!
Shelby Travers yes
imagine how it is for blind people who live in third world countries... :(
Wax Mop it’s called “voice over” on your phone. The phone talks for you
Wax Mop it’s called “voice over” on your phone. The phone talks for you
The company I used to work at employed a blind guy for a position that only a blind person could do. He did work as a software developer but he also tested the software that the company developed for accessibility for screenreaders.
Hey tommy. My great aunt was blind and it affected me so much I got a handicap tattoo on my arm when I was 19 years old. Never told anyone about it. It was just a symbol. I am almost 50 years old now. It is extremely important to me. My grandfather also went blind. I am losing my vision slowly. I just appreciate you and your zest for life. I love life. I am going strong.
There are special restaurants that are completely in the dark and vision impaired people are serving the guests. It's a great way to build work space for vision impaired people and to provide view into the life of said people. Eating and talking to other people in the dark is quite challenging and odd for sighted people.
it would be so cool if Tommy went to one of those, and then they turn on the lights and the sighted people find out he's blind. I will bet he'd have the least messy plate there!
DarkCisum
If anyone lives in Toronto, Canada, there is a restaurant like that called O Noir. Blind people are the servers, cooks, etc. and it's completely dark.
DarkCisum there's a restaurant like that in Vancouver BC as well! I haven't been to it though.
I can totally imagine what happens when the health department inspectors come in. "We didn't know we had to tell you to have LIGHTING." "We have no lighting--on purpose." "..."
In my country, Singapore, we have this kind of restaurant too! Their staffs except the receptionist are blind or partially blind. For about $20 , people get to experience a 3 course meal in total darkness and talk to the staffs about their experiences. It's really interesting
I LOVE this video! I worked for several years in the field of employment for individuals with disabilities. It's absolutely amazing to see someone obtain and maintain a job long enough to get off their benefits. Way to go, Tommy! Your message is amazing and I hope others with disabilities enter the workforce and have the same joy you have for working!
I'm leagly blind and I work in a kitchen as a cook.
dylan Williams how blind are you?
legally so that's pretty blind right?
dylan Williams im legally blind as well and I'm an actress.
For those asking, legally blind means your BEST CORRECTED vision is 20/200 or worse. Glasses and contacts don't help us. We can still see a little bit, but we are considered blind by law. About 90% of "blind" people actually do have some sight. Blindness is a spectrum and we don't all see complete darkness.
dylan Williams Just hope your food is not raw, bland or frozen, if you get the reference)
Living Able its depends, legally blind means that your eye site can not be corrected with glasses/contaclenses or sometimes not even an operation. So you can say they pretty blind
My vision is weird. I'm legally blind in my left eye and farsighted in my left eye. However, my right eye is so nearsighted that I can only see clearly about 10 feet from me. My favorite thing is giving my glasses to people and watching their reactions.
megaman02468 what’s your job though?
@@Dewabarasunderan I'm studying music in college right now
Seems he's happier than most sighted people. You can't see the beauty of the world, but you also can't see the horrors....
The Real PyroManiac well that's just stupid, of course he knows about the horrors.
Ludix147 But he hasn't seen them. Sure 2 girls 1 cup sounds like a good time until you watch it.
nachoman4ever good point
nachoman4ever very true. having it described is horrendous but nobody would imagine how horrendous unless seen with own eyes. nobody would like from audio description or hearing the film's.
It's not even that bad. Just looks like icecream
I had a blind TA for one of my chemistry classes. The way he could recall the orientation of molecules was incredible. Haven't seen him in awhile, but he was definitely an inspiration !
my moms friend who is legaly blind is a psychologist
Mexicans
Durand Miller legally blind usually means they can see to some extent but it's not easily correctable or can't be fixed.
AversiePzz ahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahaahha made my day
😂😂😂😂😂
yeah, undercover blind people :-))
Even for sighted people, there are some things we simply can't do. For myself, there are mental issues preventing me from getting a job. For instance, just being around other people in public causes me such a large amount of stress and pressure that I struggle to function. I can't talk to others in public or even on the phone whatsoever, and I'm too anxious to even do what I'm at that place for if I know other people are there.
Have you considered remote work? There are lots of jobs which don't necessarily require contact with other people, especially in today's day and age.
After all, you're talking to me right now aren't you? 😜
Blind guy who has a genuine reason to not work has more integrity than half the deadbeats I know.
Wouldn't that just make him an above average deadbeat? Not much of a compliment..
I didn't think I could admire you any more, but I do.
I am 50 and worked retail my entire life. I was burnt out and wanted to follow my passion, which is helping people on their spiritual path.
Among other challenges, I became legally blind 8 months ago. I just starting drawing disability and am already ready to get back in the work force but I still want to pursue my passion as well.
I am working with the DBVI and am going to speak with my cane instructor at my next lesson❤😇
Thank you for what you do and for inspiring so many
Blessings
You bring me joy...
Tommy, I started watching your videos a month or two ago and I love them. But I think it's important for people to know that there are people with certain disabilities who literally can't work. I used to have a condition that meant I couldn't work. I desperately wanted to be well enough to work (even part-time or from home, I'd have worked one hour a week if I could) and it was so hard to hear everyone in the media and politicians talking about how people on disability benefits should be encouraged/made to work, as if the only reason people don't work is because they are work shy or perhaps afraid/discouraged (also legitimate!). It used to get me down so much. As soon as I could work again I did. At the time I could barely look after myself. My parents wanted me to move in with them in a different city (I'm was in my late 20s and early 30s) and I really wanted to maintain my independence. So my fight was to look after myself. Sometimes I was in tears trying to get to or from a medical appointment by myself, or on the very very rare occasions I got out for an hour to do something social (and paid for it in my body afterwards).
That's how I originally got into youtube and vloggers. People online were often my only window into the outside world, and I lived vicariously through them. Anyway, I love your feistiness, determination and resilience and I hope your video encourages someone who is daunted at the idea of working and challenges people who have preconceptions of people with disabilities as being lazy. I just thought it was important for people watching who might feel really down on people who claim disability benefits to understand what some people are dealing with.
Louise that's not what he's saying at all. He's saying that he IS able to work, so he's not on disability. And people who don't FEEL like working shouldn't be on disability. That's not what it's there for. You both agree that people who can't physically work should be on disability.
That is the main thing that both able-bodied people and disabled-but-not-sick people need to realize IMO: sometimes chronically ill people can *technically* push themselves to do certain things, but it doesn't mean that they should. A lot of people have illnesses that will become worse either temporarily or permanently if they push themselves too hard.
I always wanted to know this! Thanks for another great vid :)
Incredibly in 45 years I've never met a blind person..!
Have to say though you're an absolute phenomenal inspiration! Can't recall meeting someone so upbeat as yourself and always cheery! You're a credit to humanity!
I love Tommy's work ethic. He's such an amazing guy!
Not everyone has got Tommys personality to nail interviews.. I've been rejected from soo many jobs, it's disheartening! There's no shame in accepting financial help as long as you aren't taking advantage of the system
I am right there with you....I've not gotten jobs that I thought I've "nailed" the interviews for, but most of the time I feel like I get nervous and say something dumb. Not to mention 90% of employers just don't call back, period...We can't all be overflowing with that much charisma!
He’s not saying that people who actually need the assistance are bad. He is just saying that he personally does not need it and there are a lot of people who don’t need it taking advantage of the system not even trying to get to where they do not need the assistance.
@@JobeCourtney Excuse me, can you explain to me why every human born unto this world does not have the right to own a small portion of land by birthright? And why all humans should cater to your will and try to get where they do not need "assistance".
@@Uchuuaoi Because otherwise you are basically stealing from those who work hard to provide the assistance to those who don't need it.
@@JobeCourtney Thats the problem. You are forcing others to work hard in your selfinvented system. Lets say I make a system where all people are forced to clean public toilets on the weekend as part of their job? There would be an outrage, but to force others to give animals antibiotics, to genetically manipulate crops, nuclear powerplants, building of weapons, bullying at work, etc. etc. is seen as normal. Why should people be forced to be a slave of your ideas if you do not support theirs? Maybe not all people want to "work hard", and whats so despicable about that? Nothing.
My lawyer is blind. He has a phenomenal memory.
Hi Tommy, you probably won't see this but I wanted to really thank you. I have been depressed for years (still am). But ever since I discovered your channel, I've been starting to see a whole new perspective on the world. Your happy spirit is very infectious, it opened a light I haven't seen for many years. I hope one day I can say I've overcome my struggles and be as happy and cheery as you. I hope you won't ever change. I recall on one of ur past video, "Shit sighted people say" there was one line about how the sighted call you an inspiration, I don't think it has to do with you being blind. Sighted or not, you are an inspiration to me.
Tommy you elegant bastard :D
*Elephant
Whoops
fuck you hater back odf
Fuck you Master-Baiter ^-^
I'm legally blind, I can see colour and shapes with my glasses and by seeing them very very close to my eyes. I just finished my career in statistics and I'm very proud of it. I met one guy that was blind in college and he was one of the happiest guys ever, he was studying economics and he graduated with me. I don't know what he is up to now but I know he finished college so that is kind of a big deal. In my own experience I don't really see a big problem with my terrible sight, it really can't stop you from doing what you want to do. I now work as a teacher in my own university and it's pretty good, although I can't see when my students cheat in exams it's still pretty great to be independent regardless my condition. Hope this was helpfull Tommy :)
These videos are so fascinating
I've been watching you non stop since Tuesday and you are a HUGE inspiration! I'm mildly sight impaired and can only see colored blurs without my glasses and I thank you for all the work you do. You're so funny and adorable and you have such a nice voice to listen to. Thank you for educating all of us with the struggles you face. You're such a happy guy and I love your videos ❤️
Never clicked a video faster
Bleach God Never seen an unoriginal comment more often.
True... Still, I actually clicked it pretty quickly
Always see this comment every single time
"Being a waiter is out of the equation"
Actually, I heard of this restaurant, which served food in total darkness. The place hiered blind waiters, to guide people to their tables and bring out their food and drinks. So it's not all out of the picture.
Great attitude Tommy! I'm legally blind and I do work but I would never refuse my government check (which is an additional 8% to my salary) that I get for my disability. I know we have it way harder than others to live a life. We have to look out for someone who can drive us when we move houses or to get somewhere where there's no bus or train going or when we have to get our way around an airport. It is just fair that we get something back for the hassle we encounter and there are a lot of idiots who claim a share of the money without right!
Man I’ve been watching you channel for a long time, I always liked you but just now realised how awesome of a dude you are. I have an immense amount of respect for you.
do a video about you as a blind person when you go to a different city or a country can you feel the difference like if i told you we are going to Dubai and i took you to Alabama beside when people speak can you tell the difference ?
Well the temperature in Dubai would be hotter
But the air would be pretty swampy in Alabama. Probably get knocked off your feet with manure draft.
i was just going to comment this, that'd be very cool :)
Only a sighted person would come up with this. If you were blindfolded the whole time, would you realize you were in Alabama? You'd have no idea where you were but Tommy would, at the very least, know he was not in Dubai. Chances are good he'd know he wasn't in Dubai by the time his plane touched down.
Haha! As a fellow southern CT resident, I knew exactly where he was talking about for the traffic report.
When I lived in Richmond Kentucky,
My mechanic was blind.
Wow.
Out of all the video's I've seen of Tommy, this is the first one that made me realize how good of a voice he has to be on the radio. If he had sight, he would probably be an audio book reader. Much love, Tommy!
To everyone getting upset about his disability comment, he said it drives him crazy when people CAN work and choose not to. We all, including Tommy, know that some disabilities actually make people physically unable to work. That's why he said since he is able bodied he would rather go out than collect a check. Stop trying to find a reason to be angry and just appreciate the face that he is giving us his honest and fair opinion.
I had disability check because of severe depression. Because it was a mental illness people were thinking I did it to be lazy. But you learn to accept that. But after a year of therapy the depression is still there but manageable. Now I work again. Never be ashamed of requiring some help and others judge.
@@FishFreddy Stay strong! Wish you manage to combat the depression
@@FishFreddy how scary, i hope it gets better
@@FishFreddy I know this is late but water fasting cured mine. I believe it is all gut related for the most part. Remember the gut is your second brain. Hit me up if you need more info
@@doublew030 ... Got any more info? I'm intrigued.
He's constantly smiling and yet he's never seen anyone smile. Amazing
I've only met one blind person and she was my music teacher in elementary school
(Mrs.Penni)
You have a beautiful soul! We need more people like you!
Collecting unemployment or a disability check should not be shamed.
+Topdawg
Neither should choosing not to collect disability when one is able to work.
Umm...that's a given.
It should if you're ABLE to work. That's the difference.
Jenn Hoff I'd like to see you find a job as a blind person...
unemployment is designed to be temporary and we all pay for it in taxes every time we get our paycheck. i have no problem collecting unemployment benefits (while looking for work) if the government considers me eligible to collect it. people see it as a hand out but if youve been employed for years youve been paying into it every month.
your a true inspiration to those with disabilities, and although im not disabled in any way, i feel inspired to try things i normally would not try. your morals and values are something to behold and people in this would should strive to contribute to our world. i love being subscribed to this channle and i hope i cant meet you in person some day.
Tommy! Please do a video on your daily routine or what you do all the time (apart from UA-cam)
Zainonsense...He kinda just did. ;-p...Great minds think alike! :-)
Tommy I live what you stand for! You have better work ethic and morals than 90% of sighted people. You are such an amazing person, you work so hard. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for doing what you do!
The Irony for me is I struggle to maintain high stress jobs because I see too much. Due to being a little Autistic, I have Severe Irlen Syndrome and my brain can't process light very well. I've still never taken a penny from the government, I'll find a way. Yeah sometimes it gets me down, but free money would be paying me to give up.
orangeedo more like paying you to help stay afloat. as long as you dont depend on it and get off it when you can. as for disability...... eh idk. but what does the syndrome do?
nothing wrong with a saftey net but it shouldn't be used as a hammock.
***** that's true. Its there as a safety net. I'm just saying if you're struggling, dont be afraid to use it to help ya stand back up man!
orangeedo See too much? How is that a problem?
Read the rest.
Hi tommy! I hope you read this comment! I just wanted to say that i love your videos and your outlook on life, especially your positivity that i always notice, you always put a smile on my face so thankyou for that. Stay awesome
Tommy I love you man! you're probably the most inspiring and genuine individual I've ever stumbled upon on UA-cam. please keep making these videos! :) heave a great day Tommy!
Trevor Winn...Loom up CLAIRE WINELAND OR THE CLARITY PROJECT... Talk about an inspiring person! Her & Tommy did a video together even...It was great! :-D
*LOOK
-Belue- -Myst- thanks belue I definitely will:)
I grew up listening to you on the radio in Connecticut! I discovered your videos years later, and I knew I recognized your voice from somewhere!
Tommy deserves more subscribers
thanks for being so open and vulnerable when you share information about yourself and life. :) keep up the good work tommy. you inspire so many
My real good friend was blind and was a dj up to his death. Made his own beats and songs. Had so much talent.
You are the most inspiring person I've ever had the fortune to come across. I'm not blind myself & I don't have any blind friends but your words and attitude are truly inspiring to everybody regardless of who they are. Some of the things you say really do apply to me & you really make me think. If everyone was as positive as you, the world would be a wonderful place ❤
Love your upload time. 21:20 here and only 12 comments so far.
1:21 on my computer and 12 comments!
MK your british
Cathy Kauffman Then you live in a different time zone
MK europe or africa?
MK Nah, I'm British and it's 20:25 here
The part at the end about the jobs is so true, if you try you can probably make your dreams come true within reason. I never thought I'd make my living in the music industry but I worked my butt off and since I finished my sound production degree I've not worked a single day in a job outside the music industry
I'm legally blind and I used to be self-employed as a guitar teacher. I have a progressive genetic disease that leads to total blindness. In 2008 , when the guitar store I was teaching at moved to a location where they wouldn't have a studio for me to teach out of, in six months, I went from over 60 weekly students to 12 students and I taught them from my house, where there is no turn-over for new business. My last student quit about 5 years ago, and I"ve been COLLECTING A CHECK from SSDi for the last ten years. I also COLLECT FOOD STAMPS. Between SSDi and food stamps, I get just enough to not be homeless. Here in Illinois, unemployment for the blind and visually impaired is close to 50%! I guess there's just something fundamentally wrong with us Illinois blindies. That money I collect every month? NO, I DIDN'T EARN IT OR INHERIT IT BUT IT'S MINE. I always thought that anyone would want to form a band with a blind guitarist, but it turns out to not be true. most musicians who are working rely on a vehicle of some sort to get them and their equipment to gigs and back, and have nothing but wishes of good luck for the blind. I guess it's my own fault for doing nothing but practice guitar for the past 30 years, but that's not the same thing as twiddling thumbs.
This is a great video. What a great opportunity for me to feel like a blind parasite living off the hard work of able bodied people!
Have you tried working in another industry? Most disabled people, including myself, have had to give up their dream-career for any job that pays the bills. I'd do absolutely anything to have a little independence.
My son would have been blind if he had lived (he was born prematurely) this made me cry, just knowing what he could have done. Thank you. Thank you doesn't even come close to expressing my feelings..but..thank you
Sighted people can have other issues that makes them unable to work.
I love this guy so much. I am so humbled by him.
You're as cool as space-ice, Tommy. All the best.
I had an English teacher that was blind. He was very good at his job and since he was blind, we concentrated a lot on speaking and listening, it was very nice! I still remember when he would write in braille during class, it amazed me and all of my classmates. Such a gentleman
I was waited on by blind staff at a restaurant in Toronto called O Noir. The room was completely dark so that all of the guests were blind while eating, too!
That would be interesting!
I did the same with a restaurant called 'Dark Table' in Vancouver.
This guy's videos give me a lot of perspective. Thanks Tommy!
dude i actually saw you at my school years ago talking about your life and stuff
woahhhhhhh
I miss listening to you on the radio & that last segment just a threw me back to when i would be driving to school & would listen to your traffic reports
6:35 "Just get out in the world and do it. Take a shot" Imagine some psycho killer listening to this advice right now lol.
Platfus Rodzer...AAAAAHHHHH NNNNNOOOOO!
;-p
Nice pic 🤘
I think so many of you have misinterpreted what he said - 'sighted people that REFUSE to work'... He didn't say that sighted people who can't work should work! His point is that if you can do something, you should do something. This is meant to be a positive message, and I definitely took the positivity from it! Thanks Tommy!
Maybe you did, but other people who have long gotten the message that everyone needs to work to prove their worth in society, and that deciding whether someone is capable of working is not up to a single outside observer who is unlikely to understand all of the reasons someone may not work, will have gotten exactly the message which people are replying to. It's also well worth noting that many of these comments are from the UK, where despite us having free health care for the moment, it's being sold off piece by piece and our government is trying to smash the welfare system too. After all, being in a situation where you have had to go through task after demeaning task only for an ATOS assessor to still write you off as "fit for work" because of a quota they need to meet to get paid more, where people have committed suicide in the after effects of being told they're capable, we have disabled people going homeless or having inappropriate homes since the bedroom tax has stripped them of the larger room to house carers in, potentially not being able to fit a wheelchair into the door because of the high demand for accessible council housing...I hope you understand now why people are disappointed at even an implication that someone's decision that they *could* get a job means they shouldn't claim disability payments.
Sometimes intent matters less than the context and how some views can be distorted.
TOMMY DESERVES NOT MILLIONS BUT BILLIONS SUBSCRIBERS.❤❤❤
Kind Of Blue is the best album ever...my respect for you Tommy has gone through the roof
Wow what an inspiration! I bet nobody here could say if they were offered a grand a month for no work they wouldn't take it! Amazing:D
Great video Tommy! I loved the radio traffic report at the end. I've listen to that station and remember hearing your traffic reports in the past but never made the connection that was you! Hope to watch many more videos with you!
I'm a sighted person who collects a disability check. I worked for as long as I could, but I was getting sick too often or would come home after work and crash and literally have no life or get anything done at home. I ended up losing the last job I had teaching Pre-K because I was getting sick too much due to my disability. I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to work again, but for now I'm volunteering my time raising orphaned kittens for a rescue and babysitting when I can. I'm working on getting healthier but it's very difficult to work when it takes all the energy you have to just take care of yourself.
It's an awesome day when Tommy uploads a video!
Love you Tommy! Your videos are always amazing! And you're such an inspiration.
Im 24 and so many people my age dont understand a job isnt just a wage, its a purpose! I have social anxiety but i had to just force myself to do it! Justdoit.gif
Then that isn’t disabling anxiety. You can’t “just do it” when it’s extreme
No one pays to do a job that doesn't need to be done. Every job is necessary and has to be done ... so why not you?
From a WilliamPainter commersh ... "The only way to do something is to do it".
Do it .... be happy
I have a friend whose father is blind and he invents products for blind people, for example devices that make a sound when the glass you're filling is almost full, or a device that can tell what colors and patterns are on your clothes so you know they're matching, or just a device that reads newspapers out loud. Pretty cool stuff.
Did u ever get scammed like at a store or something
Where people use the fact that ur blind to steal money from you
It really doesn't happen very often. Even the worst employees have a level of decency they won't go beneath, most of the time, when they are dealing with a blind customer.
I’m a professor of French and Spanish, a soprano vocalist and an acoustic guitarist. I do receive a check for the time being, but it’s only partial disability. I don’t do this because of my blindness - but due to my struggles with mental illness. I’m hoping that like Tommy, I’ll be able to not receive that anymore sooner rather than later. I am teaching a few hours a week; and yes, blind people are able-bodied people, able to work, pursue their dreams and be productive members of society.
How do you imagine Death?
My grandfather was blind, not from birth but he lost his vision soon after. We was a carpenter, a skilled craftsman. It was always so amazing to me that he could build and sculpt an amazing, symmetrical headboard and I couldn't put a box together.
Disability isn't free money - it's money YOU pay into the system while you work, accessed after you have proven to a judge that you can't work any longer. It's not easy to get, and it's entire based on your previous income and hours.
CaptMortifyd I hear ya. I do not think Tommy is suggesting it that way though. I got the impression he just meant for himself that it wouldn't feel right… that it would feel like it was not his money to take since he has proved himself able to work.
I realize some in the comments section feel Tommy was painting all who qualify for disability with the same brush, but I didn't get that at all. Tommy is an insightful, thoughtful guy who can see the merit in disability checks for those who need it. He simply is saying he does not need it himself, so he'd not feel right about taking it. 😊
I'm from Europe, Hungary and I have a dear classmate who studied logistics, then we met at the Psychology Department in 2014. She (with her guide dog) is the most genuine person that I ever met. She is also a public speaker like you, Tommy. I know her struggles with studying: copying all the books we couldn't make a pdf of for her, her fights with some teachers... She shows that 'university is NOT an abled bodied person's privilege' - as some of the teachers said to her!
He said "got to SEE parts of the world"..ummm
Mike Boucher yeah,he usually does jokes like that
He “sees” it his way... not literally with vision Mike
To a blind person "seeing" is the experience ... and not just data coming in from your eyes.
I'm SO glad he finally addressed this! People who assume someone's on disability just because they have a disability drive me crazy. If you actually NEED disability, believe me, it ALL goes to medical bills. I'm on disability because I am bed-bound, can't be conscious for more than a couple hours at a time, and it is the WORST lifestyle ever. And my check goes 100% to medical bills. That means you have to live with someone else, can't pay for your own food, can't pay for your own clothing or anything extra; it's not an "extra" check. And it is no way to live. I'm tellin' ya. I would give ANYTHING to feel productive and be independent.
What state do you live in and what states/countries have you lived in or visited🇬🇧
I know a blind guy that works at an assembly job. Making cabinets.
He trains newbies because he's so good and so positive. He's just an incredible guy doing a job that you would think would need sight but, because he knows his stuff, he rocks every day.
There's nothing wrong with collecting disability or unemployment checks.
My son will be on SS ... but he has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Is in a wheel chair and his muscles are going away. He loves engineering so he told me he wants to design machines when he's older or be a professional game tester. I hope he can do what he loves. I support him 100%