"How I Found Hope by Finding Myself" || Anderson Pleasants || TEDx Talk

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share my story and encourage others to love each other and themselves! We all have our deeper layers that make up who we are. You are unique. You have potential. Love yourself and you will find yourself.
My name is Andy and I was born Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing and unable to speak, so sign language is my native language. I do music covers in American Sign Language (ASL), as well as tutorials and other fun series incorporating ASL! Sign Language allows a different perspective and experience in music, it truly shows the emotions and concepts behind the songs' meanings.
SUBSCRIBE: / andysigns
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @pleasantandy
Twitter: @pleasantandy
Facebook page: pleasantsasl

[@sandradavis7311]

The one thing that stood out to me most in this talk is communicating with people by typing on his phone and written words lacking emotion. My daughter goes to school with Andy, she entered their school as a new student from another district in her freshman year. Andy is one of the first people who made my daughter feel welcome with a simple message written in his phone, “I like your backpack”. In some cases words typed on a screen can lack emotion, but those words are four simple words that helped my daughter open up and make new friends in a new, unfamiliar place. Thank you for that, Andy.

[@DaliwolfBacon]

Found your channel from SBSK, and I have to say, you are a remarkable young man! Thanks for making these videos!!!

[@fansofmemes2758]

See with me and this is how I subbed

[@ondinee4855]

Hey, Andy. I've been a silent viewer for quite a while now (I'm pretty shy when it comes to leaving comments), but I just wanted to thank you so very much, for everything that you do. Because of my past, I find it difficult to be myself and not be afraid. But you inspire me to keep trying. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ❤

[@raekarkoc928]

Sophia E. A la toy story, you've got a friend in me

[@ondinee4855]

Never actually watched Toy Story, haha. Thank you, nonetheless. ❤

[@sophie1564]

This is such a beautiful comment! ❤️

[@isntknow8436]

I often struggle with self acceptance. This talk really helped! Thank you!!

[@angelinagrosenick3778]

This was so beautiful! I can see coming back to this video on a hard day :) “Love yourself and you will find yourself” Very well put❤️

[@alexdelanoo]

You inspired me to learn ASL this year in high school and I’m hoping to be an interpreter now because I fell in love with the language. Thank you!!

[@irishsnowqueen]

“Love yourself and you will find yourself.” Life saving words to live by. I just felt my heart, hope and inspiration dramatically increase since discovering this guy an hour ago. We are SO lucky you do what you do Anderson. Thank you.

[@daniellaviolet6207]

You and your brother are such wonderful people, just saw your video on SBSK and god I wish I were friends with you both, you're both so lovely! Sending love from Australia!

[@diller468]

Dude, you’re so well spoken, and so expressive too. Thanks for this talk, I really enjoyed it

[@stellajobe565]

Great job. You are a giant inspiration to me to learn ASL

[@polaaa2293]

It’s really amazing! The positive message in it is so beautiful! So proud of you, Andy ❤️

[@sabre9342]

I love your take on labels and honestly that is the most liberating concept I’ve ever heard. I’ve always seen the world very black and white, that I have to be either this way or that way, that I can’t be multiple things or part of multiple groups of people and it DOES make things harder when you lose yourself.

[@rachelw821]

Thank you Andy!!! I've been feeling down on myself and life situations lately, and I can't thank you enough for this inspiration. I don't know you but I can say I LOVE YOU my friend! You radiate love, self acceptance, confidence and positivity, and I thank you for reminding me that we can all reach deep down and cultivate those things within ourselves, even when it feels like they aren't there. God bless you.

[@MidasOfMesses]

Such a good talk, wow. I’m an aspiring journalist and love writing, and the way you were able to get your thoughts across was eloquent and filled with emotion. I’ve already learned so much about the Deaf/HOH community from your videos, and your encouragement to everyone watching them is seriously powerful. Thank you for posting this.

[@layladrk7484]

Following you since I can remember ! And now you're here and I am unbelievably proud not just because you started Form zero and came all the way to this pound just because you're making the deaf and golden hair community proud ! I wasn't deaf when I was born but I went to bad at hearing when I was like 5? And when I was 14-16 I slowly but definitely lost my hearing and I went fully deaf I am I sad ? To be honest no just the only thing that bothers me are people's who just don't understand us. thank you for being a voice for us all thank you for showing the world that deaf people's so people's with other problems can achieve everything just like everyone!

[@kizzy3563]

Anderson, thank you for sharing your message! What a joy it is to learn from your wisdom.

[@danamccorkhill1954]

I stumbled across your channel and saw a video where you said you are only 18! I could not believe it, you are so well spoken and wise beyond your years!

[@ashleyklug4538]

you are - and always have been - such a special young man, andy. you’re made for great things! never ever stop reaching and teaching!!!!

[@lacristina85]

So young and yet so much wisdom. You have so much to give to the world and I know you will!

[@diannathreadgill3809]

You’re such a beautiful person! I can’t wait to share this with my ASL classmates. Thank you for sharing.

[@Aikicyoaz]

Just keep changing the world mate! You are heard and seen!

[@4belzzz]

I love this so much!!,, you express so well what you want to say, it's very inspiring to see such confidence,, When I don't really feel good about myself I try to ignore that voice that says "you are so boring, plain, etc" and start to love myself by realising that just because I'm not like most people, that doesn't mean I'm bad or boring. We are all different and the word different should never be a bad thing!!,,, it's something to be proud of. I really like your channel and I hope you continue to inspire so many others♥

[@kaitlyncatalano3592]

I started crying and I am so happy. Thank you for sharing your TED talk

[@zacharytrudell2411]

Ugh god youre so amazing

[@RobertDMoore]

Dear Anderson "Andy" Pleasants, first of all let me gather my breath here and wow, dang, dude....you just rocked the world of mine! Your presence is very powerful, so natural like flowing water to reach the parched area that may be founded to be discovered like spring water sprung up out of the ground was what you just did, man. You are the man, in my book. Thank you for your contagious and infectious attitude I got influenced! As a stranger afar out of the heart of mine I die to be your friend for an absolute change in life, yea the new direction to go to. I got you, you are clear and crystal like spring water, safe to drink. Peace and love, from a new friend ~ Dewey p.s. stay cool as fuck, like your afro, unafraid and naked to the eye. LOL

[@mah2play]

You're so good at this, Anderson 'Andy Signs' Pleasants. I just 'discovered' you by watching many other SBSK interviews, and ultimately your and Jaimeson's. I'm mesmerized by your spirit and determination. I hope to meet you one day and discover how we can collaborate to perhaps increase your band-width to an even larger audience. Be well. Congratulations on leading humanity by example.

[@Deafdeafdeaf12]

Hello, I just discovered you by accident and I felt strong pride in who I am and I thank you, for helping me to find myself.

[@bellablue6818]

Andy I found you from Special Books! Your stage presence is just amazing, you truly are a gifted communicator. I've just become a big fan

[@knockknockleo]

I love your personality! You’re so energetic and inspiring and intelligent!

[@realretrorelapse]

This dudes hair game is always on awesome!

[@lilabigail8869]

How inspirational! Thank you for sharing your story. I'm not Deaf or HH but this is still so encouraging. Extremely well said: emotional, deep, and even humorous at points. I've been learning sign language for a few years and you've encouraged me to continue learning. Also, congratulations for being on Tedx talks!

[@nigelallow9558]

great job Andy! You're awesome!

[@SuperSmiley1981]

OMG Andy you are phenomenal!!! I love hearing you speak! Yes I said speak! You’re a beautiful person and I love how you aim to bring everyone together! May God bless you always and forever😘😘😘😘😘

[@malld2787]

Andy, I love your videos! I find you to be an inspiration. I found you on youtube one day when I was looking up twenty one pilots sign language. I have a request, I see we both love twenty one pilots, and I would like to see you do sign language for "Ruby" by Twenty One Pilots! Thank you for all you do, I hope you have a lovely day !

[@julianrencock]

You're such a great inspiration!

[@carriedodge9345]

Awesome....well said!

[@honeygiuk]

You're amazing, Andy! I'm so proud of you, and so awestruck at this beautiful talk! Thank you for existing 💖💖💖

[@libbycatherine]

Thank you for such a great message, Andy! I especially liked what you had to say about labels and identity, and how more identities lead to more community, support, and connection... never really thought about it like that before.

[@vxrychxrry]

you are amazing andy! i've wanted to learn swedish sign language for so so long, i know a tiny bit for now and i'm actually writing my big final essay in school about sign language and deaf culture.

[@kigoulet1694]

You are such a big inspiration to me thank you for your story and powering though everything you went through and now being there for others

[@rishibeauty8889]

Great TED talk!!

[@echo_in_eternity_9974]

I'm so happy for you. Doing this talk is a great opportunity; thank you for giving this insightful talk.

[@N.Noodles]

Thank you for being who you are.

[@FilmValor]

You are inspiring! Keep up the great work!!! These videos are fantastic- just saw your stuff on Twitter and said - “I need to subscribe!”

[@FerBartolo]

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT

[@LaMochaccinno]

Amazing

[@Reillyh785]

damn look at my boy rockin those fresh ass timbs 😩😩😩😩😩

[@TheSkatingRaptor]

This is amazing Andy!! Everything is very well put.

[@machinemythos8950]

This talk is for everyone.

[@noahatlas5240]

You look like Ross Geller when he was in college I love you so much

[@OklahomaHealingConnection]

One groovy dude!

[@shireli2202]

Love you so much! What an amazing lecture :)

[@jessie-yz5vz]

Dang i love you and im so proud of you!!!

[@pocketfuloften]

You are so inspiring. I could see you as an Inspirational Speaker :)

[@graveyardgh0sts]

Amazing as usual, Andy!!

[@danieldieringer8769]

Legend status

[@ansch3201]

I'm so proud of you ❤

[@skyeirene5679]

This is amazing💜

[@NothingWithoutJesus77]

👍 💙

[@daniellayng8388]

Im friends with alot of disbuility not becuase there disabled but how good people they are im in special Olympics basketball and all the players has a disability but i treat them with respect i even be friended 3 of them

[@Wagon113]

My son is named Anderson ♥️

[@raekarkoc928]

Love you

[@rumeysasongun4576]

I LOVE YOU

[@boogiemayesmusic]

that hair is amaze

[@rumeysasongun4576]

AWWWW

[@enaralynll2924]

Thanks dude I can't believe you came to our school 😿😊😊

[@Flopsi80]

[@moonsandsuns_]

This interpreter could be less monotone

[@MomoKunDaYo]

its hard to maintain tone and intonation that is accurare to his expressions since he doesn't know exactly hoe he's going to sign it before he signs what he is saying.

[@spongebobsquarepants1301]

1 Samuel 16:7 New King James Version (NKJV) 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

[@masonnagel3641]

Spongebob Squarepants how are you citing Bible verses to a man who is far from the Bible. He's bi, and I'm sure he wants to smite God. I don't think he cares

[@narwhalgirl12]

You and Claire Wineland’s TEDx Talks are both exactly 17:31

[@wearyourownskin]

Bed Sheep 😂😂😂😂😂