Tommy is a runner and para-athlete from Ottawa, Canada. Born in 1991, he was diagnosed with Autism at age 2 1/2, was non verbal until age 7, but could read and type words before he could speak. Disney movies’ subtitles helped him learn language. His Autism Dog Guide, “Adel”, helps keep him safe. He loves stories, people, travel, music, cooking, hard work at any job, facebook, and YouTube. Tommy inspires viewers worldwide with his YouTube channel, “lookyus”, which shares his life, races, Disney trips, and enthusiasm for life! The videos posted on “lookyus” share his everyday activities and accomplishments, and allow the viewer to experience Tommy’s joyful view of the world, and appreciate the wonderful things a person with Autism has to share with others.
Two mini documentaries about Tommy, “First Fastest Runner” and “I See a Des Brisay Fly”, were made by film maker Jordan Kawai and fellow students. Jordan is a close friend of Tommy and his family, who shares Tommy’s enthusiasm for life and love of people, movies, family, and fun! Here are those two films:
Tommy in the news-
In 2011, Tommy was featured as CTV’s Athlete of the Week.
Dear MaryAnn Given,
My name is Joshua Williams. I am in a wheelchair. I use a Dynavox to talk and draw. I use these things because I have cerebral palsy. My mom explained to me how it happened. When she was pregnant with me, her uterus ruptured and injured my brain. The doctors didn’t work fast enough, which caused me to have cerebral palsy. The doctors didn’t think I would live. It took doctors 5 minutes to get my heartbeat, then they took me in a helicopter from Fort Sill to Oklahoma City. I was in the NICU on a ventilator for 6 weeks. The doctors told my parents that I would either not live or be a vegetable. God saved me and answered my parents’ prayers. My mom says that “Living with Josh is like living with a miracle.”
I love Tommy because he is happy. In the youtube movie, “First Fastest Runner”, you said, “I hope that Tommy inspires other people with autism to start running.” He has inspired me to go on wheelchair runs. Also, I want to play soccer for the Special Olympics. He inspires me to write a book about my life. Tommy inspires me because he is different. Even though he is different, he does sports. Even though I am different, I was in the musical, “The Music Man” at my school. Like Tommy, I love Disney and the Disney store.
I want to be a star like Tommy. Do you have any advice for me?
Sincerely,
Joshua Williams
Dear Joshua,
Thank you so much for your amazing message.
We are so excited to hear that Tommy’s running has inspired you to go on wheelchair runs! And that you hope to play soccer. Have fun doing those things!
That’s amazing that you would like to write a book about your life! I hope you do! Tommy would also let like to write about his life. We’re going to begin that soon.
Congratulations on being in the musical at your school. That must’ve been very fun.
I’m glad you are a Disney fan like Tommy. Disney is the best. Our advice to you would be that you simply begin posting videos on YouTube- just start making small videos of all the interesting things you do in your day and in your life. We videos the highlights and golden moments in Tommy’s life, mostly so that we will always remember them, and so that Tommy can watch them over and over again because that makes them happy. The fact that so many other people love to watch them to just makes us smile and smile!
Just like Tommy, I’m sure many people would be very inspired by how you choose to live and active happy life, overcoming the many challenges you have been given. I know others would be interested in your life, and inspired by you.
By the way, Tommy used a Dynavox-like device called the Macaw, before he could talk. It was a small device where he could press on pictures to make it say the words for him. He also used a laptop with a program called Kidworks where he could type the word and make the program say it out loud. Tommy was a very late talker, and had a lot of trouble getting the words out of his mouth. He still does! We would love to meet you and see how you use your Dynavox. And I think people on YouTube would be very interested in that too.
Good luck to you, and always remember….you are already a star! I can tell that you are the kind of person whose spirit shines brightly! Your message made us smile 🙂
Best wishes, MaryAnn Tommy’s mom
I just wanted to drop by to say hi to you and your wonderful family. Your videos always bring a smile to my face because you’re such a lovely and amazing person and, even though I don’t have autism, I still find you to be such an inspiration! My cousin has autism and he also loves to watch your brilliant videos and wishes to say hello too.
Somedays your wonderful videos make me cry with joy because your attitude is so pleasant; I wish the young men at my high school were as bright in spirits and kind in heart as you – you’re certainly a prince charming to all the princesses you meet in the Disney parks! Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see you and your family in Disneyworld someday as my family and I go quite regularly too – it would be an honour to meet you so I’ve got my fingers crossed!
Thank you for all the amazing videos Tommy, I can’t wait to see more in the future! Keep making people smile!
Best wishes and warm hugs,
Charlotte x
Hi Charlotte, This is MaryAnn, Tommy’s mom! Your kind, sweet message made us smile and smile…we truly appreciate you taking the time to write! Say hi to us on Facebook, please, your cousin too! Tommy loves to chat on Facebook. I hope we get to meet you someday at Disney World! All the best, MaryAnn
Dear, tommy
My name is Madison. I watch your videos all the time and seeing you be so happy makes me smile. You are so strong. Seeing you never give up makes me not want to give up. You are a big inspiration to me and I think of you as a role model. I too have a lab and her name is Shelby. She remindes me a lot of adel. She also likes watching your videos and is a fan of you and adel. I started watching your videos a while ago when I was having a lot of confidence problems and you made me realize anything is possible. Because of you I have had the confidence to try out for sports teams at my school. You are amazing and super kind. Don’t ever give up.
Sincerely, Madison
Hey Madison,
This is MaryAnn, Tommy’s mom! That’s awesome that you also have a labrador retriever! Shelby is a cute name! I bet Adel would like her a lot.
Your message means so much to us. We are so happy that Tommy has helped you. It was really sweet of you to write and your kind words make us smile <3 I'll show Tommy your message.
Say hi to us on Facebook, please, as Tommy loves to chat on Facebook. I hope we get to meet you someday.
Best wishes, MaryAnn
Cheers, MaryAnn
Hi i was wondering how you and ur husband supported and helped Tommy in school and in college? ur son is soo handsome i have a huge crush on tommy!
Hi! This is Tommy’s mom, MaryAnn. Tommy has had many kinds of support for school, and now for the university classes he is auditing. I wrote a blog entry, and posted it on this site, about his journey.http://www.autismmeansfriendship.com/?p=1487
I hope this answers you question a little bit! Thanks for your message 🙂
Hello!! I’m Liz and I’m from Panama 🙂 I LOVE TOMMY SO MUCH!! HE’S SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE <333 I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I FOUND TOMMY'S VIDEOS BUT I'M SO GLAD THAT I FOUND THEM :3 THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE VIDEOS ..THEY ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE 🙂 AND I LOVE THAT HE LOVES DISNEY …I LOVE DISNEY TOO …DISNEY HAS ALWAYS TAUGHT US TO NEVER GIVE UP ON OUR DREAMS …AND I LOVE THAT TOMMY NEVER GIVE UP ON HIS DREAM OF BEING THE FIRST FASTEST RUNNER IN THE WORLD! HE IS A BIG HERO AND AN INCREDIBLE SWEET YOUNG MAN… I LOVE HIS STORY 🙂 NEVER STOP DREAMING TOMMY 🙂 HUGS AND KISSES FROM PANAMA 🙂
Hi Liz, This is Tommy’s mom! Thank you so much for this awesome message! You’re right, Tommy will never give up on his dream 🙂 Thank you for your kind and supportive words, and for being so positive. It made me smile so much reading your message. Tommy will love it when I show him! Hugs <3
THANK YOU <3333
I HOPE I CAN MEET TOMMY SOMEDAY 🙂
<3 It would awesome to meet you, too, Liz <3