Tammy's Story - People Like Us episode #5

A classic story of white rural poverty in America. Watch an update from 2013 at bit.ly/tammy2013
From the documentary PEOPLE LIKE US: SOCIAL CLASS IN AMERICA. Tammy Crabtree walks ten miles to her job at Burger King, and feuds with her upwardly-mobile son.
Watch instantly or buy the DVD at shop.cnam.com

[@nordiskkatt]

Strangely, this poor, exhausted woman demonstrates more class and grace than any of the richer people in this documentary. I hope things are better for her now.

[@CDN1975]

Amen.

[@ashleyanderson778]

❤️🙌 Bless her!!!

[@pink994]

She died

[@ashleyanderson778]

Bless her soul😔

[@hoosierladyus48]

@@pink994 She is not the same Tammy that died.

[@jacobsevens5679]

I worked with her son Matt back in 2017. He's married with kids and thankfully grew out of the way he treated his mother. He is now one of the most down-to-earth people that I've known.

[@musclehamster4120]

I'm so happy to hear that.

[@extendedpinky]

Muscle Hamster me too! This made my day

[@ralphrehart6809]

Where are they from I’m from N L ohio

[@jacobsevens5679]

@@ralphrehart6809 We're both from Waverly, OH.

[@organenthusiast5803]

That's beautiful man. I saw these videos years ago and the treatment Tammy received from her kids upset a bit. Nice to know he has turned a corner.

[@forgottenjewelsurbex7635]

That kid talking about the way the mom only wears her work clothes..WELL JR...Afer walking 10 1/2 miles to work..and it doesn't say if that's just one way..and by the time she gets home and starts playing referee, cook, maid and Mama..well she probably ALWAYS thinks of herself LAST..Maybe he should get a job and buy his Mama something nice

[@garysmith2479]

Amen

[@joywatson3899]

EXACTLY! If they can be in sports and have friends over. The kids can do something to earn money! I started babysitting at 10. We lived out in the county my brother was hired to do farm work..

[@tinaberry7215]

Amen to that he is old enough to get a job to

[@isaiahmajka3030]

He should be walking to work beside her! I’m pretty sure you can go to school and work part time in America. It’s good to want nice things in life but don’t ever disrespect your mother kiddo getting there💯

[@rosalindgibbs2980]

😢.

[@KunjaBihariKrishna]

It's painful how poverty makes people feel embarrassed of themselves and each other. Solidarity is required to survive, but there is a lot of toxic reinforcement of the pit of self loathing they are stuck in

[@donnamays24]

I heard one of the sons say Moms lazy...are you kidding me!?...she’s walking 10 miles one way to WORK! Moms exhausted not lazy! Hope life gets better for her💖🙏🏻

[@Mariem268]

Her son should man up and help her out instead of getting hickeys on the neck

[@princessmonkey2034]

Both boys had hickies.

[@lisahutchins8186]

Yes I noticed that. Both boys lol

[@krystaldior1606]

I was saying that to they both have Hickey's that nasty

[@penguinsscareme]

You can see she's just broken in every respect. Heartbroken, financially broken, physically broken. Keeps on going because what else would she do, besides lay down and die? That's all she can do.

[@kr1221E]

No! why should she lay down and die, she has a pulse and breath in her body, and does work, hope things get better for her. You can tell her spirit is there, she sings on the way to work. She has goals college, school teacher.

[@treerat6959]

@@kr1221E I get where your coming from but you can tell she isn't very educated dreams are great but you have to be realistic about them as well. Saying you wanting to be a brain surgeon but not having the IQ to even spell it just not realistic.

[@JayDao1462]

@@treerat6959 Whats wrong with you man? She could absolutely be an amazing grade school teacher if she was helped out more.

[@brittianyb]

Those boys should appreciate how hard their mother works just for them to survive! I would be ashamed to show my face if I were them!

[@mpaxton8991]

They will one day, but not until they're 50!

[@tinasantos3184]

THEY WILL FIND OUT IN A WHILE WHAT THEIR MOTHER IS GOING THROUGH ,

[@agataneumann9980]

Her son should look in the mirror

[@alisonlemarquand7809]

OMG This Woman works so hard, she needs a break. 10 miles a day REALLY!!!!!!!!! So sad for her. I wish I could help, I hope she got paid for this. She is so positive such a great person.

[@lancedukel3436]

20 miles, she walks home!

[@TheRedsofine]

Her kids are losers. Putting Down their mom and how she dresses and they’ve got Hickeys on their necks. Get some damn jobs!!!!!

[@debbiewilkinson914]

God bless you Ma’am !! You are trying so hard . I hope and pray that there is someone in your community that watches this.. and helps you out with your wish list!! You walk 10 and a half miles to work then work and walk home?! Once again God bless you ma’am!

[@lourdesprudencio5647]

That mama, seems like a gem. I lost my mom a year ago and I can never get her back. These boys are going to regret it one day. Life is never the same.....

[@vclocals5536]

One time I walked a 24 mile walk for charity and my feet were all blistered up. Man she's tough!

[@johnedwards80]

She is inpirising not a quitter the unsung hero just never got a break in life damnit .

[@josereyesguizar4449]

Hey Tammy, if u ever read this; U r amazing no matter what stupid ppl say..u r a diamond on the rough! I look up 2 U...!

[@paulnhbtx713]

jose reyes guizar why are you lying bron

[@nettiewingate5596]

@@paulnhbtx713 fucktard

[@lenhowl]

That’s one hard working woman. I only wish that she would have some luck to have a better life.

[@ViggyIggy]

Be proud of your momma, she does everything for you and she’s a tough woman. If someone says something about her, you should set them straight instead of act embarrassed of her.

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

its justified,she did try to a point, but she could have done better by her kids and kept the place clean and just had more motivation, being poor does not mean you have to be unkept, dirty and run down-- ive known plenty of folks who were very poor but they atill carried themselves, and acted with dignity as well as cleaned and took great care of what little they had and their homes were nice

[@thecatwoman6496]

She walks ten and a half miles to work?! God bless her. Her son should be proud of her, not ashamed of her! Bless you Mama🙏❤️

[@ArtyandBanana]

it kind of touched my heart. She is a great parent.

[@chux9810]

she’s not

[@malakaiwillardson2759]

im sure when theres not a camera filming theres a lot of yelling going on in the house...

[@wendymoore5364]

I have the utmost respect for this beautiful Mama! Walks 10.5 miles one way to walk IN THE RAIN! The son talking like he's embarrassed of his Mama.....I wish I could tell him to be SO PROUD of his Mama. Doesn't Matter what she looks like, she's absolutely doing the BEST she can.....Be proud of that for her. I loved this story. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@annadurkee8607]

my word but she walks 10 miles a day and then she is on her feet all day doing physical labour..I have great respect for her.A word of a little wisedom.wait until your son has to earn his own living and out in this world..he will at some point appreciate his mom

[@maplecookies2036]

Mad Respect to this Woman. Wishing her the best.

[@kellyyork3898]

She raised and fed and clothed and put a roof over the heads of these boys...wow. Kept them together, body and soul. Worked. They need to get down and kiss her feet.

[@autensilnamedfork1599]

I saw this video a while ago, and The image of this woman walking and whistling is engraved in my mind. I just hope something has worked out for her now

[@stephaniesiddall3012]

Wow. This lady is bringing up her children without all the amenities and doing better than a lot of people who are more fortunate than her....she's not living in an upscale house or condo but her home is clean and her children are well spoken!

[@CatsHateSoup]

When people ask how to define a woman. This. This is a real woman. She has drive, motivation and will do any job to support her family and there is still has a feminine softness to her. What a beautiful woman with a kind heart.

[@staceynaber5270]

I agree. Proud of her for trying. Teenagers have no clue what it's like trying to provide for their ungrateful butts.

[@bks6000]

The teenagers could get jobs, too.

[@MistyCunard]

I had a bad day with just run of the mill life stuff. I needed to see this dear soul tonight

[@pollyannalight6313]

No way 10.5 miles to work! Ohio!!! Hard winters! God bless them! Dad had 22 kids!

[@Boudica1313]

I don’t know what I would do if I found out my son was ashamed of me. That sure hurts this mother’s heart. 💔

[@melindathomas21]

lord bless her... HOW CAN ANY OF YOU ALL MAKE LIGHT OF THIS??? OR JOKE?? MY LORD

[@Existentialnausea]

+modshroom you're disgusting, bitch.

[@jennis6982]

+modshroom Yes he is. Some of my family actually saw Jesus Christ. And there's many stories about Jesus Christ by Native Americans witnessing him and describing him. So just stop. If you don't like her comment, then don't be a douche about it.

[@terrylunsford352]

Hey shirt for brains, Science books were written by the people God created dimwit.

[@DepthAudio]

@@Existentialnausea Trash

[@latashahoward3943]

Y'all I about died when the son made the comment about his Mother wearing that Burger King outfit because I looked up her Facebook profile and she is wearing the Burger King outfit in her profile picture 15 years later! Lol I love her! She seems like a good Momma and seems sweet as can be.

[@lorilal9931]

You would think the boys would go out and get some kind of job to help their mother. This poor woman. I pray she’s okay.

[@pink994]

She’s dead now She got hit by a car while walking to work

[@CubsFan2812]

@@pink994 wait seriously??

[@hydrobasil5020]

​@@CubsFan2812 no, she is still alive. She moved and her son Bo lives next door and he gives her a ride to work. Found that info via Google.

[@CubsFan2812]

@@hydrobasil5020 thats what I thought too. I'm glad she's still alive

[@suzannevert4571]

It pains me that people find the negative in stories like this or they think that they can pick apart this family and say they should have done this or that. They have hopes and dreams and I love that they carry them with them all the time.

[@jamesmounts4379]

People who don't live in a family like this or at least have relatives who do then you honestly don't have the slightest idea of what poverty is. And to add to it their proud ppl full of dreams and hopes. Trying to make it the best they can. Sure alot of ppl have it bad u know. But still even they cannot grasp this type of living situation. It is not easy at all and it's not like a choice they made or they went wrong here or there. No, like she said her dad would be proud of what she's doing.

[@fluffyduckbutterssister8838]

80% of America has never known a Tammy. There shouldn't be any families in America struggling like this.

[@lilyturner7774]

What a beautiful woman! Inside and out. Her boys shouldn't be ashamed of their mum, they should be very proud. Nothing shameful about being poor when you're trying your best and working hard.

[@pc9467]

I felt real empathy for this person. She's hard working, down to earth and a fighter. She's also looking out for her kid's futures. I'm sure her dad would be proud of her. She has great spirit.

[@donnapoolejackofalltrades7827]

wow Tammy you are great person . you walk to work every day and you standing up for your family .

[@extendedpinky]

Walking 10 miles to work. Wow. Bless her heart

[@steve-uq5tl]

Any mother that walks 10 miles back-and-forth to work is an angel and her kids need to look at her like that because that’s incredible and they don’t seem to give a shit !

[@pamelapostma8890]

Walks 10 1/2's to work.. God Bless her heart!

[@reesegoldess5740]

We as a society can do better people let help one another

[@thickypiggy3611]

she is so sweet

[@jimtessin4130]

My mom worked hard for my brother and me and struggled like this lady. It took me years to appreciate this.

[@bencilbusher5070]

I like matt, the fact that he realizes where he is and that he wants better. If you're satisfied, your stagnant. He's gonna be the one to go places

[@soulbrother254]

unfortunately he didnt, I saw the 2013 update, still living with his mom

[@tomaitoe]

@@soulbrother254 Wow, that's so sad.

[@petermurphy9968]

The young fella Matt has dreams and aspirations, I hope he gets the opportunities to fulfil his dreams, he sounds like a responsible and determined young man. The mum is a trooper walking 10 miles to work. She deserves all the best.

[@rebeccaschroeder8891]

THIS MOTHER WALKS 10 MILES TO WORK, GOD BLESS HER. SHE IS TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING FOR HER CHILDREN.....GOD BLESS HER

[@Courtjowhite]

We should all live this way for awhile. Humble ourselves. Bless this momma♥️

[@mintyfresh4855]

Although I don't like the son's attitude but I kind of understand how he feels. He lives somewhere that most people don't want to live in, a lot of junk, and the family situation. A teen like him would of course be a little sensitive to bringing friends home. However he should work hard so that he can support the family and be more proud of his family.

[@cjkid1325]

Austin Bae the son is so selfish. When you watch the update you see how he himself has not progressed. I feel like Tammy sons did not progress because they did not respect her nor value what she did have to offer. I do feel that Tammy is probably a little developmentally delayed however she had gumption and that's something that her sons could never take away from her. I believe the people around Tammy was a hindrance ask. If she could have received Good Counsel I believe she could have thrived a little bit more.

[@jennytalks5882]

@@cjkid1325 I don't feel that Tammy is developmentally delayed. She is just simple and plain. A lot of people are like that period plain speak they call it. And a good person and a good heart with no frills. She speaks from the heart and as gentle and kind and hard working. I don't think that means she's developmentally delayed at all. I feel like she's been through a lot.

[@paulamischanko2376]

My heart hurt for this woman when she said "I dont know what else to do". I didnt have the opportunity to get much schooling life has always been a struggle so can feel her pain.

[@xoxclairexoxo]

Wonderful mother, her children should be so proud of her

[@pamfeist5462]

This lady deserves the utmost respect

[@michelleaw1325]

I needed to see this today. God bless her and be proud of your momma. She is a superhero boys.

[@TheRedsofine]

Boy, be glad you have a mom.

[@gottagetlike.]

She is a strong woman doing what she can! At least she's working and not on state aid leave her alone!!

[@bethmcgill5944]

Can't believe no one has offered her a hand up. And walking in the rain. My God.

[@travis1190]

I thought the same thing.

[@stephaniewilliams6412]

I attended Bridges of out Poverty training today and the training featured this young woman Ms. Tammy. My heart feels for her and her family. She has so much she wanted and wants to do yet no one provided her with any resources to accomplish any of these goals, or for her children either. She is walking 10 miles a day to work yet no one offers to help. This is sad. IF you haven't watched the update to this video please do.

[@theresadowns3457]

Where is the update?

[@nataschasvideos]

I also saw this video at that training!

[@theresadowns3457]

@@nataschasvideos where is the update?

[@maryshaffer8474]

I grew up in worse and people have roses to store and town.

[@littlemommascrafts1509]

I am watching this video for college. I hope one day after I get my degree that I can help a family that is going through a situation like her.

[@syaw1001]

My heart breaks for that mama.

[@pamfeist5462]

Son, your mother has inner beauty that shines thru.Never be ashamed of her !

[@J.Y_Z33]

If I had a stable job and we're a friend of theirs, I would have supported them with their financial needs and education. I feel bad for the family...God bless their souls.

[@kingplayz1578]

when watching Tammy,s story, although she didn't reach her goals of becoming a teacher but still she is a hard working mom,but some job still drow us closer to the lower, class, poverty level,

[@savageman7047]

Such a dear sweet woman.

[@msrice3069]

Hang in there Ms. Tammy ! God will reward you for your hard work. God bless you, from one poor mama to another.

[@newyorkusa9155]

Shes a beautiful person, kind hardworking and doing her best, not waiting for a handout, walks 12 miles, I'm nad if I have 2 walk 3 blocks to my car lmao, she deserves so much help

[@CDN1975]

10.5 miles. She is an inspiration. Wow! God love her. Wonder how many people drove past her day after day without offering her a drive.

[@tyronejones7341]

Walking to work 10 and a half miles is in itself some kind of ambition !!!.

[@cindyfitzgerald4500]

I wish there was a update on this family. I would love to see that those boys are grown now and have respect for her and have helped her out.

[@wentaofeng5548]

I am just saying....these hard working people need some extra care from the government. THEY NEED IT!!!! And instead we just dropped around 80 missiles in Syria....and how much does one missile cost again???

[@raiders10003]

the neocons are desperate for more war

[@joele9192]

Wentao Feng totally agree, just one missle could feed her family and get them all teeth!

[@leeann4900]

how many children does she have where's their dad

[@garysmith2479]

Exactly

[@torimccool4413]

This reminds me of my young childhood. Me and my 5 older siblings grew up in a trailer. Reckon that 3 of my siblings were completely grown and out of the house by the time i was born. It was also rough growing up in a trailer. But we moved to a 2 story house when i was 9.

[@markg.4246]

Hold your head up Tammy! Your story has given me and so many others the gifts of perspective, gratitude, compassion, and a heightened desire to treat everyone with decency, kindness, understanding, and love. Thank you, dear one, and blessings to you and your children! Mark

[@Dreamer-by4nk]

People need to be humbled to their lives when you see people like this lady just trying to survive. There has to be help for her and I hope some one reaches out and can make a difference in her life. Bless her.

[@trishdavis274]

wow Im amazed by her. shes doing the best that she knows how. Its also sad. She walks to work rain or shine I admire her for trying.💙💙

[@oliviag9271]

God bless her! I'm a single mom of four. This Lady knocks me out the water. Walking 10.5 miles!

[@travis1190]

7:20 Had my crying my eyes out!!! I hope life gets better for her. God bless!

[@Juice4678]

At least she will work that oldest boy needs to be working too

[@karenmurphy7066]

Tammy, you keep moving forward. Glad you have a job and can take care of your children! Hang in there and continue doing your best! Thank you for sharing!

[@ravenlooney2487]

Home is what you make it..decorate with what you have keep it clean and love each other..all matters

[@WestCoastStudies]

This is when I disagree, she should leave where she lives and move somewhere where she can get a better paying job and use the state assistance. SOME PEOPLE NEED WELFARE PEOPLE, STOP BEING SO IGNORANT. SOME PEOPLE ARE LAZY AND ABUSE IT BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, SHE IS CLEARLY STRUGGLING. IM NOT EVEN WHITE AND I FEEL BAD FOR THIS LADY WHO HAS HER OWN PEOPLE DEGRADING HER IN THE COMMENTS.

[@jadzia2098]

Yes i see what you are saying. In the city, she can use the public transport and could have more opportunities. That's what i did. I lived in a small village and no car or public transportation. So yes i moved in a bigger town and use the bus or para-transit bus and i am close to hospital and medical clinics and doctors. I am close to stores and shopping malls. Have a small appartement but its home.💕💕💕💕

[@gavinstarkey3113]

Why bring race into it..... ..

[@lucyhanna5172]

It's a sad situation. Being born into poverty makes life difficult.

[@susanhenshaw1271]

I'm not even white" ? What the hell has that got to do with it

[@SaS0367]

Imagine if someone said, "im not even black, and i feel sorry for her". I mean race has zero to do with it. I don't understand why it is brought into everything.

[@danielmorgan4899]

I too felt like that boy when was young lived in a house I wasn’t proud of but I grew up and was ashamed of the way I thought of my parents after raising many kids of my own I can appreciate that my parents did everything they could my parents are gone now rest their tired souls

[@ChosenWon]

A great video. Thank you. The best to all that were in the film.

[@teresaschoech5984]

What a wonderful woman. She had a hard life. And keeps on. Keep it up. Girl. Theres other people just like you. We care.

[@angelking5836]

Bless her heart. At least she works and walks that far. Kudos to mom. ❤

[@afergie76]

I can’t describe how raw my emotions are for her at this moment. I wish ‘celebrities’ would stop showing off how stupid they are with their money by showing the world ‘look what I have, what I’m doing, where I’m going… jealous’ posts and actually do the world a better and donate to organizations that can alter people like Tammy lives for the positive. I don’t think Tammy wants a 350k car. She just wants a normal car or her car fixed so she doesn’t have to walk 10+ miles a day to work/home. I do hope her children make something of themselves. And take care of their mother so she can relax.

[@craigsmith8117]

What a good mom...she's a hard worker. I pray for her and her kids...god bless...

[@zelmaturner3206]

This touch my heart ❤️ she seems like such a beautiful soul , and her son needs to move out or find a job and help his mom if he doesn’t like the living conditions....

[@derekthegreat1114]

She makes an honest living and she’s a good mom to her kids. I respect that.

[@carladavis2587]

This lady is awesome. I hope her life gets better!

[@heatherjohnson7604]

I give credit to this lady. She is walking miles to work. She is trying very hard. The kids should be picking up the yard. She is the one trying to hold down a job. I hope life gets easier for her one day.

[@tammyb6847]

I admire her so much you are such a strong woman. Tammy may God bless you .... You deserve the best ..... Best wishes to you ❤❤❤

[@kennkid9912]

I have seen worse trailers than that.Hers is pretty clean. WRapped in plastic and blue tarps buried in the snow in Maine. One wonders how they survive. Her yard isnt awful junky either.

[@vickygoodrich4761]

Kids are just kids, they have so much peer pressure at certain ages. I can remember being ashamed of my parents and the way we lived. I grew out of it and so will they. They will realize one day how much their mom struggled and sacrificed to raise them. She doing the best she can. I just hope her life gets easier. I wish I was rich so I could help people like her. Love to her and her family I think she is awrsome!

[@princesstiarra8071]

Tammy is a jewel to this world and the boys should respect her and love her as thiers Mom's out their on drugs who don't even care.

[@ilovesatan9637]

I use to walk to work, walk everywhere- I finally got a car. I hope she gets a car- it makes everything a lot easier.

[@lovejazzman1]

She is inspiring and her kids will know that one day. I wish the best for all of them ❤ Too bad a stimulus wasn't around back then... 😥

[@user-bm9nj1om3v]

I think that is really touching she sees the joy of the little things in her world. She does her job as best as she can! That is what really matters.

[@orvillehicksstoryteller4159]

she is working that's better then most

[@belindamcdaniel8681]

Why the f*ck would anyone want to work like that? The problem with your statement is that too many people praise these kinds of situations because despite their depravity they look at these people as " pulling themselves up from their bootstraps". That in my opinion is a self righteous, lack of empathy for others way of looking at life. This is generational poverty. That kid wants to come out of it he probably won't no matter what his motivation is. He might do a little better than his mother that's it. I honestly rather not live than have to live like that but that's the standard given to a lot of people living in the US. You can't blame people for government assistance in that circumstance. It's hopeless for them either way why walk 10 miles everyday for $5/hr for some fast food corporation to exploit you. I sure wouldn't. This story should make it easy for you to understand the drug epidemic that plagues these communities instead of your praise for her efforts.

[@brendabowman4661]

oh shame on you,there was three of us,little girls,orphaned in 1955,we had nothing but the meal we got we got at school ,it was horrible to have no food in the summer,three to a bed,pot belly stove in the middle of the room,froze to death in the winter burned up in the summer,tragedy all around,but i have buried them both.but my god,what id give to have them back with me.praise your mother for all she does for you,you may not see it now,but you will see it in the later of your life,praise her,dont break the bond with your brother,because when your old man,you will cry to wish you never belittled him,and to have him hand you his hand to shake.

[@maureenlang4949]

God Bless you, You are trying ,you are not lazy, God loves you, i'm sending prayers .

[@kimarellano3791]

Heartbreaking .

[@patriciaherbert6819]

Good momma. She doesn't drink or do drugs. She works & takes care of her kids. Bless your ❤

[@shoppingnightmares8607]

Also RESPECT to that mamma

[@tonyakeldsen1782]

Bless you sweetheart. You are an inspiration and you are a strong beautiful person! Don’t let people get you down ever, most could never do what you do and would have given up already. Keep your heart true, you have a light that shines through ❤️

[@andrealeecavalera9684]

This family is so very. This woman deserves the whole world. Such a pure soul. I pray that God blesses this family with abundance of everything they need in Jesus name, amen. Tammy is my hero. Love this!