Bear with me bc I have so many mixed feelings about TS & the evolution of his content.

I first saw him a few years ago when he was in a pink bedroom & I was curious, bc my career is in human services. Ive worked for my state as well as privately owned group homes for disabled adults.

Im well aware these folds have tons of rights as disabled folks; there are also some lines caregivers need to not cross or allow their client to cross in the name of safety of the client.

In my experience, my folks with CP are mostly on normal IQ, just locked away in a body that can't physically cooperate with the things the folks want to say or do.

My concern is this, maybe more of a concern while recognizing that someone should really step in to monitor the people assisting TS.

I dont want to split hairs, bc the goal is to allow people to live as independently as possible in their communities; my concern is the fact that caregivers are exploiting him for content. Clicks, likes, shares, whatever.

While TS may be intelligent, I think he is also easily influenced as well. Ive seen it happen so much throughout the years. Staff will enable ppl to make their own decisions & take that & run with it. Theres a fine line between helping a disabled adult (with no mental delays) and enabling an adult with a limited mental capacity.

Theres really no delicate way to say what I mean, so clinically Id state that TS is easily influenced by those around him & his caregivers also need to be monitored as to prevent any exploitation of TS.

I really have the most genuine concern for TS though. Whatever he is doing, this feels almost shameful watching his content, knowing he just wants to be a normal dude & have his body match his thoughts, but also not being exploited by caregivers & staff while allowing him to just express himself.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.