Is my brother’s greatest weakness a secret weapon? | Bradford & Bryan Manning | TEDxCharlottesville

when I was seven years old I was told

when I was seven years old I was told that I was going blind and that’s

that I was going blind and that’s

that I was going blind and that’s because I failed the kindergarten eye

because I failed the kindergarten eye

because I failed the kindergarten eye chart which basically started this

chart which basically started this

chart which basically started this year-and-a-half hunt to figure out what

year-and-a-half hunt to figure out what

year-and-a-half hunt to figure out what the hell had happened to my eyesight and

the hell had happened to my eyesight and

the hell had happened to my eyesight and I ended up in a doctor’s office with my

I ended up in a doctor’s office with my

I ended up in a doctor’s office with my mom who’s sitting somewhere here and

mom who’s sitting somewhere here and

mom who’s sitting somewhere here and we’re sitting there with the doctor the

we’re sitting there with the doctor the

we’re sitting there with the doctor the doctor walks in and says that I have a

doctor walks in and says that I have a

doctor walks in and says that I have a condition called Stargardt’s disease

condition called Stargardt’s disease

condition called Stargardt’s disease Stargardt’s disease is a juvenile form

Stargardt’s disease is a juvenile form

Stargardt’s disease is a juvenile form of macular degeneration where you lose

of macular degeneration where you lose

of macular degeneration where you lose your center vision over time but you

your center vision over time but you

your center vision over time but you keep your peripheral vision a little bit

keep your peripheral vision a little bit

keep your peripheral vision a little bit like the way we would see this

like the way we would see this

like the way we would see this Ted logo right here and the doctor

Ted logo right here and the doctor

Ted logo right here and the doctor looked at my mother looked at me and

looked at my mother looked at me and

looked at my mother looked at me and said sons gonna lose his eyesight take

said sons gonna lose his eyesight take

said sons gonna lose his eyesight take him home teach him Braille and give him

him home teach him Braille and give him

him home teach him Braille and give him a magnifier and five years later I had

a magnifier and five years later I had

a magnifier and five years later I had the exact same conversation with the

the exact same conversation with the

the exact same conversation with the same doctor but you know it actually

same doctor but you know it actually

same doctor but you know it actually wasn’t such a sad day because my parents

wasn’t such a sad day because my parents

wasn’t such a sad day because my parents grabbed me they say enough of this let’s

grabbed me they say enough of this let’s

grabbed me they say enough of this let’s go have some fun we went got a bunch of

go have some fun we went got a bunch of

go have some fun we went got a bunch of ice cream went to the video store rented

ice cream went to the video store rented

ice cream went to the video store rented homeward bound great classic movie I

homeward bound great classic movie I

homeward bound great classic movie I remember thinking I wanted to actually

remember thinking I wanted to actually

remember thinking I wanted to actually lose my eyes at every single day it was

lose my eyes at every single day it was

lose my eyes at every single day it was one of the best days we ever had our

one of the best days we ever had our

one of the best days we ever had our actual experience was slightly different

actual experience was slightly different

actual experience was slightly different I got Air Bud two golden receiver

I got Air Bud two golden receiver

I got Air Bud two golden receiver fantastic film but our parents actually

fantastic film but our parents actually

fantastic film but our parents actually sat us down and they told us a piece of

sat us down and they told us a piece of

sat us down and they told us a piece of advice at that time they said maybe

advice at that time they said maybe

advice at that time they said maybe you’re not gonna have the best eyes but

you’re not gonna have the best eyes but

you’re not gonna have the best eyes but you were given more brains instead and

you were given more brains instead and

you were given more brains instead and to this day I don’t think that’s true

to this day I don’t think that’s true

to this day I don’t think that’s true but it is a fantastic lie to tell to a

but it is a fantastic lie to tell to a

but it is a fantastic lie to tell to a little kid

little kid

little kid but what we all – but actually a few

but what we all – but actually a few

but what we all – but actually a few months ago I got to ask my parents again

months ago I got to ask my parents again

months ago I got to ask my parents again what they meant by that cuz we’ve grown

what they meant by that cuz we’ve grown

what they meant by that cuz we’ve grown up with that those words in our head and

up with that those words in our head and

up with that those words in our head and what they told me was amazing they told

what they told me was amazing they told

what they told me was amazing they told us that visual impairment never was

us that visual impairment never was

us that visual impairment never was going to be an excuse in our lives and

going to be an excuse in our lives and

going to be an excuse in our lives and that it was never going to dictate our

that it was never going to dictate our

that it was never going to dictate our lives so when I was in my first day of

lives so when I was in my first day of

lives so when I was in my first day of first grade I’m standing at the

first grade I’m standing at the

first grade I’m standing at the chalkboard about two feet away because I

chalkboard about two feet away because I

chalkboard about two feet away because I promised my mother that morning that if

promised my mother that morning that if

promised my mother that morning that if I couldn’t see something on the board I

I couldn’t see something on the board I

I couldn’t see something on the board I would get up out of my seat and go to

would get up out of my seat and go to

would get up out of my seat and go to the board to see it and I remember doing

the board to see it and I remember doing

the board to see it and I remember doing that and then turning around and feeling

that and then turning around and feeling

that and then turning around and feeling all the eyes of the class on me and

all the eyes of the class on me and

all the eyes of the class on me and thinking maybe for the first time you

thinking maybe for the first time you

thinking maybe for the first time you know I was a little bit different and I

know I was a little bit different and I

know I was a little bit different and I sat down at my desk and really dreaded

sat down at my desk and really dreaded

sat down at my desk and really dreaded having to go do that again and I

having to go do that again and I

having to go do that again and I remember thinking that that promise that

remember thinking that that promise that

remember thinking that that promise that I made my mother wasn’t exactly so

I made my mother wasn’t exactly so

I made my mother wasn’t exactly so simple that day at lunch you know kids

simple that day at lunch you know kids

simple that day at lunch you know kids would come up and they would say can you

would come up and they would say can you

would come up and they would say can you see and I would defensively say yes and

see and I would defensively say yes and

see and I would defensively say yes and then there’s this one little jerk this

then there’s this one little jerk this

then there’s this one little jerk this guy Mike Mike White that came up to me

guy Mike Mike White that came up to me

guy Mike Mike White that came up to me and he said well if you can see how many

and he said well if you can see how many

and he said well if you can see how many fingers am i holding up and I actually

fingers am i holding up and I actually

fingers am i holding up and I actually couldn’t see it and I remember thinking

couldn’t see it and I remember thinking

couldn’t see it and I remember thinking at that moment something was wrong as an

at that moment something was wrong as an

at that moment something was wrong as an aside after living with this question my

aside after living with this question my

aside after living with this question my entire life for some reason everybody

entire life for some reason everybody

entire life for some reason everybody always holds up two fingers so it’s

always holds up two fingers so it’s

always holds up two fingers so it’s actually a pretty easy question to

actually a pretty easy question to

actually a pretty easy question to answer and for the next eight years this

answer and for the next eight years this

answer and for the next eight years this happened we were two feet from a

happened we were two feet from a

happened we were two feet from a chalkboard and two inches from a

chalkboard and two inches from a

chalkboard and two inches from a textbook but on my first day of high

textbook but on my first day of high

textbook but on my first day of high school I didn’t want to be the blind kid

school I didn’t want to be the blind kid

school I didn’t want to be the blind kid anymore so I sat at the very back of the

anymore so I sat at the very back of the

anymore so I sat at the very back of the room and on that day my teacher dr.

room and on that day my teacher dr.

room and on that day my teacher dr. folow tells me that calls on me Brian

folow tells me that calls on me Brian

folow tells me that calls on me Brian can you please do this problem and mind

can you please do this problem and mind

can you please do this problem and mind you I’ve been visually impaired for

you I’ve been visually impaired for

you I’ve been visually impaired for years now so I developed an entire skill

years now so I developed an entire skill

years now so I developed an entire skill set on how to trick my

set on how to trick my

set on how to trick my teachers into telling me what was on the

teachers into telling me what was on the

teachers into telling me what was on the board so I could appear sighted to

board so I could appear sighted to

board so I could appear sighted to everyone else in the room

everyone else in the room

everyone else in the room well my first strategy always ambiguity

well my first strategy always ambiguity

well my first strategy always ambiguity what problem exactly dr. Fulham and that

what problem exactly dr. Fulham and that

what problem exactly dr. Fulham and that didn’t work so I went with what numbers

didn’t work so I went with what numbers

didn’t work so I went with what numbers exactly are we talking about up there

exactly are we talking about up there

exactly are we talking about up there lots going on and so he looks at me and

lots going on and so he looks at me and

lots going on and so he looks at me and just says these not a problem I’ve been

just says these not a problem I’ve been

just says these not a problem I’ve been through this before and the second

through this before and the second

through this before and the second strategy was play dumb because at that

strategy was play dumb because at that

strategy was play dumb because at that time for me being blind was worse than

time for me being blind was worse than

time for me being blind was worse than being dumb

being dumb

being dumb so I’m sorry dr. folow I just don’t know

so I’m sorry dr. folow I just don’t know

so I’m sorry dr. folow I just don’t know how to do it

how to do it

how to do it and he looks back at me and says why

and he looks back at me and says why

and he looks back at me and says why it’s simple division and then my third

it’s simple division and then my third

it’s simple division and then my third strategy which I didn’t really get a

strategy which I didn’t really get a

strategy which I didn’t really get a chance to use it works better when

chance to use it works better when

chance to use it works better when you’re reading in a circle you wait till

you’re reading in a circle you wait till

you’re reading in a circle you wait till it gets to about three kids from you and

it gets to about three kids from you and

it gets to about three kids from you and then you kindly excuse yourself to the

then you kindly excuse yourself to the

then you kindly excuse yourself to the bathroom but that day none of my

bathroom but that day none of my

bathroom but that day none of my strategies worked and as my head fell

strategies worked and as my head fell

strategies worked and as my head fell slowly to the desk I did admit to dr.

slowly to the desk I did admit to dr.

slowly to the desk I did admit to dr. folow I’d admit to my class and I admit

folow I’d admit to my class and I admit

folow I’d admit to my class and I admit to myself that I couldn’t do the problem

to myself that I couldn’t do the problem

to myself that I couldn’t do the problem because I couldn’t see it and that my

because I couldn’t see it and that my

because I couldn’t see it and that my strategy of hiding and avoidance was

strategy of hiding and avoidance was

strategy of hiding and avoidance was only creating shame around my visual

only creating shame around my visual

only creating shame around my visual impairment and then I realized that

impairment and then I realized that

impairment and then I realized that nothing could feel worse than that

nothing could feel worse than that

nothing could feel worse than that moment so we had to adopt a brand new

moment so we had to adopt a brand new

moment so we had to adopt a brand new strategy we had to embrace visual

strategy we had to embrace visual

strategy we had to embrace visual impairment and do what my parents told

impairment and do what my parents told

impairment and do what my parents told me thank god you’re over there and that

me thank god you’re over there and that

me thank god you’re over there and that we were never going to let it dictate

we were never going to let it dictate

we were never going to let it dictate our lives and so when I was 16

our lives and so when I was 16

our lives and so when I was 16 that meant Brian and I stealing our

that meant Brian and I stealing our

that meant Brian and I stealing our parents car and the

parents car and the

parents car and the at least that’s what I’m claiming was

at least that’s what I’m claiming was

at least that’s what I’m claiming was the reason that we were sitting at home

the reason that we were sitting at home

the reason that we were sitting at home in the summer of 2002 and my parents

in the summer of 2002 and my parents

in the summer of 2002 and my parents were gone we had the car we had the keys

were gone we had the car we had the keys

were gone we had the car we had the keys we had enough vision to see the road not

we had enough vision to see the road not

we had enough vision to see the road not enough vision to see everything on it so

enough vision to see everything on it so

enough vision to see everything on it so I got into the driver’s seat and I put

I got into the driver’s seat and I put

I got into the driver’s seat and I put Brian in the passenger seat and gave him

Brian in the passenger seat and gave him

Brian in the passenger seat and gave him a pair of binoculars but and there was a

a pair of binoculars but and there was a

a pair of binoculars but and there was a pool about five miles away that we

pool about five miles away that we

pool about five miles away that we wanted to go to we drove very nervously

wanted to go to we drove very nervously

wanted to go to we drove very nervously that five miles and we did make it to

that five miles and we did make it to

that five miles and we did make it to the pool and it’s funny because I don’t

the pool and it’s funny because I don’t

the pool and it’s funny because I don’t really remember why I was so important

really remember why I was so important

really remember why I was so important to go to the pool that day and I

to go to the pool that day and I

to go to the pool that day and I actually don’t even really remember the

actually don’t even really remember the

actually don’t even really remember the ride back which I’m sure was just as

ride back which I’m sure was just as

ride back which I’m sure was just as treacherous but what did kind of stand

treacherous but what did kind of stand

treacherous but what did kind of stand out to me is that for the first time we

out to me is that for the first time we

out to me is that for the first time we I was on my schedule in a way that I had

I was on my schedule in a way that I had

I was on my schedule in a way that I had never expected to be that I had an

never expected to be that I had an

never expected to be that I had an independence to something that was sort

independence to something that was sort

independence to something that was sort of completely ruled out for me as small

of completely ruled out for me as small

of completely ruled out for me as small as it was and it kind of suggested to me

as it was and it kind of suggested to me

as it was and it kind of suggested to me at that time that some rules could be

at that time that some rules could be

at that time that some rules could be bent and other rules could be broken and

bent and other rules could be broken and

bent and other rules could be broken and Brad doesn’t get enough credit here I

Brad doesn’t get enough credit here I

Brad doesn’t get enough credit here I had my eyes closed the entire time of

had my eyes closed the entire time of

had my eyes closed the entire time of all him but we didn’t kill ourselves in

all him but we didn’t kill ourselves in

all him but we didn’t kill ourselves in any car accidents so we got into college

any car accidents so we got into college

any car accidents so we got into college and when I got to university of virginia

and when I got to university of virginia

and when I got to university of virginia like many students I signed up for

like many students I signed up for

like many students I signed up for Spanish as my language credit and I was

Spanish as my language credit and I was

Spanish as my language credit and I was terrible at it just awful like no bueno

terrible at it just awful like no bueno

terrible at it just awful like no bueno idea at all and so like any diligent

idea at all and so like any diligent

idea at all and so like any diligent college student I buckled down and

college student I buckled down and

college student I buckled down and petitioned the University of Virginia to

petitioned the University of Virginia to

petitioned the University of Virginia to allow Braille as the language instead of

allow Braille as the language instead of

allow Braille as the language instead of Spanish I’d been taking it since I was

Spanish I’d been taking it since I was

Spanish I’d been taking it since I was like seven years old so next thing I

like seven years old so next thing I

like seven years old so next thing I know I’m sitting in front of a panel of

know I’m sitting in front of a panel of

know I’m sitting in front of a panel of three Dean’s arguing the efficacies of

three Dean’s arguing the efficacies of

three Dean’s arguing the efficacies of visual impairment verse hearing

visual impairment verse hearing

visual impairment verse hearing impairment as it relates to Braille and

impairment as it relates to Braille and

impairment as it relates to Braille and American Sign Language I was a bit in

American Sign Language I was a bit in

American Sign Language I was a bit in over my head and ultimately turns out

over my head and ultimately turns out

over my head and ultimately turns out that Braille is considered a

that Braille is considered a

that Braille is considered a not a language and they said please go

not a language and they said please go

not a language and they said please go back to Spanish class adios

back to Spanish class adios

back to Spanish class adios that’s a free one buy it in that moment

that’s a free one buy it in that moment

that’s a free one buy it in that moment all I was really trying to do was just

all I was really trying to do was just

all I was really trying to do was just leverage my strength which was from

leverage my strength which was from

leverage my strength which was from visual impairment learning Braille and

visual impairment learning Braille and

visual impairment learning Braille and so when I finally got into the working

so when I finally got into the working

so when I finally got into the working world I want I tried to do the same

world I want I tried to do the same

world I want I tried to do the same thing so what am i best at and it was

thing so what am i best at and it was

thing so what am i best at and it was strangers because with our vision we

strangers because with our vision we

strangers because with our vision we can’t recognize who anybody is so if we

can’t recognize who anybody is so if we

can’t recognize who anybody is so if we treat them like friends until we can

treat them like friends until we can

treat them like friends until we can figure that out but it can be a rough

figure that out but it can be a rough

figure that out but it can be a rough five minutes but what happened was I

five minutes but what happened was I

five minutes but what happened was I thought well sales is making strangers

thought well sales is making strangers

thought well sales is making strangers friends and it was shocking to me

friends and it was shocking to me

friends and it was shocking to me because when I started working people

because when I started working people

because when I started working people were so afraid to go up to somebody or

were so afraid to go up to somebody or

were so afraid to go up to somebody or make a call but for me it was the same

make a call but for me it was the same

make a call but for me it was the same thing as just going to the office that

thing as just going to the office that

thing as just going to the office that morning everybody was just a stranger

morning everybody was just a stranger

morning everybody was just a stranger until I got to chat with them and I

until I got to chat with them and I

until I got to chat with them and I started to realize that maybe visual

started to realize that maybe visual

started to realize that maybe visual impairment was giving me a couple more

impairment was giving me a couple more

impairment was giving me a couple more gifts than I’d ever given it credit for

gifts than I’d ever given it credit for

gifts than I’d ever given it credit for and while Brian was using his golden

and while Brian was using his golden

and while Brian was using his golden sails mouth I was working in business

sails mouth I was working in business

sails mouth I was working in business development for an investment company

development for an investment company

development for an investment company boring and it actually was really boring

boring and it actually was really boring

boring and it actually was really boring but what we were doing we were both in

but what we were doing we were both in

but what we were doing we were both in New York and we’re hanging out one day

New York and we’re hanging out one day

New York and we’re hanging out one day and we get very very excited about this

and we get very very excited about this

and we get very very excited about this kid his name is yannick du way and the

kid his name is yannick du way and the

kid his name is yannick du way and the reason we were so fascinated with him is

reason we were so fascinated with him is

reason we were so fascinated with him is he was actually born nearly blind grew

he was actually born nearly blind grew

he was actually born nearly blind grew up reading Braille and now his eyesight

up reading Braille and now his eyesight

up reading Braille and now his eyesight is restored and the reason for that is

is restored and the reason for that is

is restored and the reason for that is because of a brand new gene therapy that

because of a brand new gene therapy that

because of a brand new gene therapy that is going to be approved for his

is going to be approved for his

is going to be approved for his condition he was an early patient this

condition he was an early patient this

condition he was an early patient this coming January and when we looked into

coming January and when we looked into

coming January and when we looked into it we realized that this cure actually

it we realized that this cure actually

it we realized that this cure actually started with a small charitable gift to

started with a small charitable gift to

started with a small charitable gift to a researcher that gave that project a

a researcher that gave that project a

a researcher that gave that project a chance to succeed and when you looked a

chance to succeed and when you looked a

chance to succeed and when you looked a little further you realize with all the

little further you realize with all the

little further you realize with all the medical advancements going on there are

medical advancements going on there are

medical advancements going on there are actually hundreds of researchers in the

actually hundreds of researchers in the

actually hundreds of researchers in the same situation

same situation

same situation of them could use that one charitable

of them could use that one charitable

of them could use that one charitable gift to give their life-changing project

gift to give their life-changing project

gift to give their life-changing project that exact same chance so one day Brad

that exact same chance so one day Brad

that exact same chance so one day Brad and I are walking around New York and we

and I are walking around New York and we

and I are walking around New York and we stop into Bloomingdale’s to do a little

stop into Bloomingdale’s to do a little

stop into Bloomingdale’s to do a little bit of shopping and I don’t know if

bit of shopping and I don’t know if

bit of shopping and I don’t know if you’re any of you are aware of this but

you’re any of you are aware of this but

you’re any of you are aware of this but when you’re visually impaired in you go

when you’re visually impaired in you go

when you’re visually impaired in you go shopping it is an absolute nightmare you

shopping it is an absolute nightmare you

shopping it is an absolute nightmare you can’t see sizes you can’t see labels you

can’t see sizes you can’t see labels you

can’t see sizes you can’t see labels you can’t see prices colors are a huge issue

can’t see prices colors are a huge issue

can’t see prices colors are a huge issue so we take the five-year-old approach we

so we take the five-year-old approach we

so we take the five-year-old approach we just run around and run it always does

just run around and run it always does

just run around and run it always does that it’s not necessary for the talk but

that it’s not necessary for the talk but

that it’s not necessary for the talk but shirt not you shirt not you so and what

shirt not you shirt not you so and what

shirt not you shirt not you so and what we do is when we ultimately come across

we do is when we ultimately come across

we do is when we ultimately come across something we like under our hand we then

something we like under our hand we then

something we like under our hand we then do all the investigation to figure out

do all the investigation to figure out

do all the investigation to figure out exactly what it is so 45 minutes later

exactly what it is so 45 minutes later

exactly what it is so 45 minutes later Brad and I both walk out and as we are

Brad and I both walk out and as we are

Brad and I both walk out and as we are pulling out what we purchased we’ve

pulling out what we purchased we’ve

pulling out what we purchased we’ve realized we got the exact same shirt and

realized we got the exact same shirt and

realized we got the exact same shirt and we laughed about that for a minute cause

we laughed about that for a minute cause

we laughed about that for a minute cause it was hilarious by what we’ve booked

it was hilarious by what we’ve booked

it was hilarious by what we’ve booked then we realized it was because we’d

then we realized it was because we’d

then we realized it was because we’d actually both loved the touch in the

actually both loved the touch in the

actually both loved the touch in the feel of it and then like a light bulb in

feel of it and then like a light bulb in

feel of it and then like a light bulb in a cartoon we realized this could be our

a cartoon we realized this could be our

a cartoon we realized this could be our way to give back

way to give back

way to give back we could make amazing clothing and then

we could make amazing clothing and then

we could make amazing clothing and then donate 100% of the profits back to those

donate 100% of the profits back to those

donate 100% of the profits back to those researchers who just needed a chance to

researchers who just needed a chance to

researchers who just needed a chance to cure blindness

cure blindness

cure blindness we’ll take it later that feels good so

we’ll take it later that feels good so

we’ll take it later that feels good so that’s when we started our clothing

that’s when we started our clothing

that’s when we started our clothing project two blind brothers and we really

project two blind brothers and we really

project two blind brothers and we really wanted to start it with all those grand

wanted to start it with all those grand

wanted to start it with all those grand lofty ideals that we had we were going

lofty ideals that we had we were going

lofty ideals that we had we were going to give back to the research we were

to give back to the research we were

to give back to the research we were going to be out in front of vision

going to be out in front of vision

going to be out in front of vision impairment bringing awareness to the

impairment bringing awareness to the

impairment bringing awareness to the cause we were gonna create clothing that

cause we were gonna create clothing that

cause we were gonna create clothing that reflected the values that we cared about

reflected the values that we cared about

reflected the values that we cared about the problem was when we started that

the problem was when we started that

the problem was when we started that nobody else cared about it at all so we

nobody else cared about it at all so we

nobody else cared about it at all so we we made about a thousand shirts and

we made about a thousand shirts and

we made about a thousand shirts and spent the first month just begging good

spent the first month just begging good

spent the first month just begging good friends to buy them this is actually a

friends to buy them this is actually a

friends to buy them this is actually a lot harder than you would think but we

lot harder than you would think but we

lot harder than you would think but we but we at that same time we made a video

but we at that same time we made a video

but we at that same time we made a video video on our story and our mission and

video on our story and our mission and

video on our story and our mission and we put it out on Facebook and that night

we put it out on Facebook and that night

we put it out on Facebook and that night when we put it out we went to bed and we

when we put it out we went to bed and we

when we put it out we went to bed and we woke up and there were all these

woke up and there were all these

woke up and there were all these notifications on our phone wake up the

notifications on our phone wake up the

notifications on our phone wake up the next morning and I checked the first

next morning and I checked the first

next morning and I checked the first notification it was from a co-worker of

notification it was from a co-worker of

notification it was from a co-worker of mine it’s a text message and it just

mine it’s a text message and it just

mine it’s a text message and it just read dude just saw you on the Internet

read dude just saw you on the Internet

read dude just saw you on the Internet Wow

Wow

Wow which actually terrified me because I

which actually terrified me because I

which actually terrified me because I didn’t know what he was talking about

some inappropriate photos somewhere but

some inappropriate photos somewhere but just haven’t found it yet they they’re

just haven’t found it yet they they’re

just haven’t found it yet they they’re still looking but our video had started

still looking but our video had started

still looking but our video had started the spread and a few million view views

the spread and a few million view views

the spread and a few million view views on that video later people were buying

on that video later people were buying

on that video later people were buying the shirts people were talking about the

the shirts people were talking about the

the shirts people were talking about the cause and we were starting to get this

cause and we were starting to get this

cause and we were starting to get this awareness around that time we actually

awareness around that time we actually

awareness around that time we actually found a group called the Dallas

found a group called the Dallas

found a group called the Dallas lighthouse for the blind we contracted

lighthouse for the blind we contracted

lighthouse for the blind we contracted with them to set up manufacturing so

with them to set up manufacturing so

with them to set up manufacturing so that our clothes would be made by the

that our clothes would be made by the

that our clothes would be made by the blind and the visually impaired

blind and the visually impaired

blind and the visually impaired so we were rocking and rolling and then

so we were rocking and rolling and then

so we were rocking and rolling and then we started to get some interesting media

we started to get some interesting media

we started to get some interesting media inquiries that started help spread

inquiries that started help spread

inquiries that started help spread awareness about the cause let us get out

awareness about the cause let us get out

awareness about the cause let us get out there talk about the mission and then on

there talk about the mission and then on

there talk about the mission and then on January 4th of this year we had the

January 4th of this year we had the

January 4th of this year we had the sincere pleasure to sit down with this

sincere pleasure to sit down with this

sincere pleasure to sit down with this woman Ellen DeGeneres

and let me tell you that was one of the

and let me tell you that was one of the single greatest days of a younger

single greatest days of a younger

single greatest days of a younger brother’s life years of torment I get to

brother’s life years of torment I get to

brother’s life years of torment I get to make fun of him on national television

make fun of him on national television

make fun of him on national television are you kidding me

are you kidding me

are you kidding me but that was an incredible day but we

but that was an incredible day but we

but that was an incredible day but we actually started to receive messages

actually started to receive messages

actually started to receive messages like these and we had the good fortune

like these and we had the good fortune

like these and we had the good fortune of actually getting on the phone with

of actually getting on the phone with

of actually getting on the phone with this mother and daughter and we realized

this mother and daughter and we realized

this mother and daughter and we realized that we had the opportunity that we all

that we had the opportunity that we all

that we had the opportunity that we all dream of to go back in time and tell a

dream of to go back in time and tell a

dream of to go back in time and tell a younger version of ourself a little

younger version of ourself a little

younger version of ourself a little piece of advice and this girl wanted to

piece of advice and this girl wanted to

piece of advice and this girl wanted to quit playing soccer because she wasn’t

quit playing soccer because she wasn’t

quit playing soccer because she wasn’t that she couldn’t see the ball she had

that she couldn’t see the ball she had

that she couldn’t see the ball she had actually made the team she was just

actually made the team she was just

actually made the team she was just really am scared that she would

really am scared that she would

really am scared that she would embarrass herself in front of all of her

embarrass herself in front of all of her

embarrass herself in front of all of her friends and pride and I spent about 45

friends and pride and I spent about 45

friends and pride and I spent about 45 minutes just telling all the times that

minutes just telling all the times that

minutes just telling all the times that we’d embarrassed ourselves and just had

we’d embarrassed ourselves and just had

we’d embarrassed ourselves and just had a fantastic time just laughing with them

a fantastic time just laughing with them

a fantastic time just laughing with them in two weeks later we actually got

in two weeks later we actually got

in two weeks later we actually got another message from the same woman that

another message from the same woman that

another message from the same woman that her daughter had started playing soccer

her daughter had started playing soccer

her daughter had started playing soccer again and in that moment we realized

again and in that moment we realized

again and in that moment we realized that not only were we gonna be able to

that not only were we gonna be able to

that not only were we gonna be able to make shirts and give money to charity

make shirts and give money to charity

make shirts and give money to charity but we were actually going to get to

but we were actually going to get to

but we were actually going to get to join people on their success journeys

join people on their success journeys

join people on their success journeys through visual impairment so that’s our

through visual impairment so that’s our

through visual impairment so that’s our story and when we think back to 25 years

story and when we think back to 25 years

story and when we think back to 25 years ago when we’re in that doctor’s office

ago when we’re in that doctor’s office

ago when we’re in that doctor’s office it’s essentially the roughest news you

it’s essentially the roughest news you

it’s essentially the roughest news you think you could get but the big ire and

think you could get but the big ire and

think you could get but the big ire and the irony is that vision impairment has

the irony is that vision impairment has

the irony is that vision impairment has actually given more to us than it’s

actually given more to us than it’s

actually given more to us than it’s taken away it’s forced us to learn real

taken away it’s forced us to learn real

taken away it’s forced us to learn real skills how to deal with strangers how to

skills how to deal with strangers how to

skills how to deal with strangers how to take on social pressure stand up in

take on social pressure stand up in

take on social pressure stand up in front of people it’s taught us mindsets

front of people it’s taught us mindsets

front of people it’s taught us mindsets like how to think creatively about a

like how to think creatively about a

like how to think creatively about a problem how to just be a little bit more

problem how to just be a little bit more

problem how to just be a little bit more resilient to rejection it’s given us the

resilient to rejection it’s given us the

resilient to rejection it’s given us the gift of this project and everything that

gift of this project and everything that

gift of this project and everything that comes with it the community that

comes with it the community that

comes with it the community that research the excitement the families

research the excitement the families

research the excitement the families your greatest challenge is your greatest

your greatest challenge is your greatest

your greatest challenge is your greatest gift we wouldn’t be standing here

gift we wouldn’t be standing here

gift we wouldn’t be standing here without ours thank you thank you

without ours thank you thank you

without ours thank you thank you [Applause]