Traveling the world with my blind husband (tips and tricks!)

[@katd7716]

I used to be a flight attendant and it's very important for us to know about any disabilities of our passengers for safety reasons. In Paul's case, he should get an extra safety briefing with an attendant showing him where the swimming vest and oxygen mask is and also in case if evacuation if we know where a person is seated, we can keep an eye on them and help them if they require extra assistance. Paul also shouldn't be seated on emergency exits because people there are supposed to open the extra emergency doors and assist others and you need a rather good vision for that. So good that you are always checking this box, Matthew, it's safer this way :)

[@shannansweet6346]

My partner actually spray painted his name onto his luggage in yellow with stencils and is genius. We never miss his luggage.

[@waffles3629]

I saw someone's luggage that had a slip cover of their face. It was hilarious because it was very distorted.

[@n_kau]

The fact that you still heart comments. I know it’s been 3 weeks but usually when I see large KZbinrs and they have a video even a few days old, they won’t really heart comments. So I really appreciate it ^^

[@judewilkinson5486]

You should get pengroom printed luggage. Easily recognisable/individual and support gorgeous. And Mr maple printed bag for his gear when he travels too!!!!

[@TheMrsredfox]

The way Matthew looks at Paul when he's talking about being present in the moment is so lovely! I've recently discovered your channel and I am so grateful for your videos!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

“Why are our videos so chaotic?” - Understatement of the century

[@mickyrive]

7 25 am

[@vm1776]

Paul, saying that you bring the cane when you don't need it, I can relate. Visually, I can see well enough to navigate my home without my glasses. But the cane that I've been using lately is not for vision but for walking. I had surgery which put me in a wheelchair and now I can walk without a cane, but sometimes I need the cane still. I struggle with leaving my car not needing the cane at all and that being quite obvious and whether someone will think I'm faking it parking in handicapped. But I often bring the cane because I may need it when I don't expect to, like when I went into a fast food restaurant the other day and the wait to be served was so long that I needed the support of the cane as my legs started shaking. When I have the cane with me employees at stores are constantly, "madam can we help you?" It's better to have the cane even if it's a low chance that you'll need it.

[@ralphcherry617]

Welcome home! The vids you've shared so far from the trip have been wonderful, especially the one of Paul's unbounded joy at being able to run the length of the beach unencumbered. That's a vision I will carry with me. You both look great--Matthew, the tan is gorgeous. You guys ALWAYS perform some kind of service in addition to being completely entertaining. You always have, both in the podcast and now in this medium. You are the best, I feel so lucky to have found you.

[@TheSamnesiac]

Couldn’t have said it better myself! ❤️

[@Sweetgin476]

I would love to see Paul try out for Dancing With Star. You would be fabulous with your great personality 🤗🥰.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I did think that the vacation thing was a prank till I saw a short with you two on vacation lol

[@mattdilley4930]

I am currently in the process on loosing my vision. And will end up blind. Your tips and tricks are awesome. And very helpful. Thanks so much for the video ❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Paul extending the white cane reminds me of that hilarious short with Molly. “It’s like a putter.” 😂

[@6424wen]

Lol I just scrolled through your thumbnails 😂 Paul's eyes get wider and wider with each thumbnail

[@lindiehopkins8394]

It's funny as my friend guides me around while I'm using my white stick. They had said it's amazing how people move out of the way like the red sea. That makes me chuckle.

[@N-A-uw5fp]

🐕 I was told by a dog trainer, that if you were talking in a higher pitch voice or with more energy, of course, dogs are all about energy, he might be assuming that you’re playing when record your videos because you are in a very social high energy mood. I think that’s why he comes to you, not necessarily knowing that you are being recorded. 💗

[@kristy8865]

Love the banter between the two of you!! Keep being you!! ❤

[@MatthewandPaulOfficial]

Thank you! Will do!

[@HappilyCarnivore]

A light over water is a great lamp. For years we thought the fridge light was broken (turns out it wasn't) and for most of those years I had a blanket stapled to the ceiling and the little dining area was my bedroom, because there were 4 of us living in a 2 bedroom trailer. I had earlier hours than everyone else, and the two kitchen lights were controlled by the same switch, so they couldn't turn on the light without waking me, and they couldn't see in the fridge because there was no light. So I started filling a gallon jug with water. It had a clearish lid, which helped. And I would tape a flashlight to the lid and turn that on before I went to bed. People would definitely see what they were doing in the kitchen, including being able to see inside the fridge, but it wasn't enough light to shine through my blanket/wall and wake me up. For some reason I always loved that water lamp.

[@ChantalQC1969]

It's always fun to see Mr. Maple interrupting your videos! He's family!

[@MatthewandPaulOfficial]

Always!

[@waffles3629]

You can also take a picture of your luggage so you can just show them the picture. This is a good idea for anyone, because if the tag comes off the bag you can at least show them what it looks like.

[@MatthewandPaulOfficial]

Such a good idea!!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Paul 🤝 Me Liberated at the beach and there’s no limit to running around.

[@HappilyCarnivore]

Lol, I sometimes walk to the bathroom with my eyes closed, partly to hopefully stay sleepy, and partly just to see how I would get around if I were blind. Which reminds me, when I was in high school (SO long ago) for one of our classes they put us in groups and one of the group members mimicked a disability, I guess to develop empathy? Well in our group one of us had to wear a blind fold and the three of us had to go out to eat and do a number of other things. I was the one picked to wear the blindfold. I had to go to the bathroom while we were out to eat, and no one went in with me, so I had to feel my way around that bathroom. I didn't cheat, and let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Luckily it was a one person bathroom so at least I wasn't bumping into anyone.

[@robinsutton4952]

My husband uses a walker. We live in a small canyon community in Southern California (no sidewalks, narrow road). This past Christmas we were house sitting at our friends maybe half a mile from our house. He has always said that people slow down when they go past him and the walker. I volunteered to walk his walker up the street, I couldn’t believe how fast cars went by me and how close. Of course many weren’t locals. Maybe they knew I didn’t need the walker. Love you both and your videos. You always make my day. Hugs to Mr. Maple.

[@melissav3244]

you could spray paint of use hockey tape on your suitcase to help identify it too ...

[@rachelvandekerk7690]

If you are flying and your seats are not next to eachother, you can ask the person at the gate prior to boarding time if you can sit net to eachother.

[@ivycutler1907]

You both are so cute together. Loving each other and being there for each other. Love is Love ❤❤❤❤

[@callmejoeben]

Aww!! I love the practice of closing your eyes and taking in the moment using all the other senses. That is so cool! That’s such a fun way to be present in the moment. Thank you guys for sharing!☺️🥰🩷

[@BlindManTravels]

Great video about traveling as a disabled person in general. I usually book with the airline and if unsure I will call the customer care and notify them of my own blindness. I came back from Japan in May and they are really setup for accessibility at least for blind people. Be My Eyes is really great for using the phone camera to identify objects. I also love the magnifying glass app on my iPhone to read menus. I did go to a restaurant in Berlin which was pitch black and they had blind wait staff. I don’t like checking luggage but I will take a picture of luggage and show it.

[@nsstv]

Apple has such great accessibility features it excites me to think what Apple Vision Pro could do for people like Paul!

[@alison9189]

Zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket - omg that is amazing. I've never heard that before, and I love how you synchronized too 😂

[@mariadelcarmenellnervillal3390]

Welcome back!!! I hope you had a beautiful vacation!!!❤

[@Rebecca_Lin9494]

Luggage tip I learned when doing group travel: take some neon colored duck tape and either wrap it around the handles or make a stripe across the luggage in that bright color. It not only distinguishes it so you can find your luggage easier but it’s also a high vis safety feature if you’re stepping out of the airport or hotel at night.

[@Peg79]

Mr Maple how does Matthew taste lol?!? So glad you are home safe and sound, hope the trip was amazing! Your tips and tricks are very informative! 😊

[@silkedavid8876]

I support "put your phone/camera down and enjoy the environment" wholeheartedly. I was once on Safari with at least 3 amateur photographers, they were so annoying! Yes, got some great pictures, but it was jostling for the best position in the vehicle, checking light and shutter speed etc. We had one moment were we were surrounded my a herd of elephants, it was magical, the memory is deeply burned into my brain, I do not need a photo to recall that experience.

[@miamaeplays3809]

On 02/01 I was told I was legally blind after 8 years of losing my vision. I’m now at 20/400 vision and will progress worse so you’ve been so great for me to learn more. Thank you so much!

[@Stay_tooned]

Add a bright ribben or crocheted/knitted or even braided ribben. I saw one guy have a bright X in tape on both sides of luggage

[@suzanneke]

Thanks a lot for the phonecamera tip. My daughter has low vision and is practically blind without her glasses. This tip will help her in case she has a problem with her glasses (back up).

[@horacioyrausquin4601]

As a former flight attendant, now retired, thank you for the your wonderful shoutout to my fellow flight attendants, nonetheless we need to be better trained in understanding your needs!

[@ellenpowers8037]

Love the “take a moment” game. That’s a good reminder for all of us in today’s busy world. ❤

[@nikacomedawn]

Thank you for existing!

[@PhoenixInFirestadium]

I love how nearly all of those tips are helpful for literally everybody. I do the lightning up things to see more clearly, I can focus better. The unique luggage, I put some neon green straps around my trekking backback when I flew overseas to find it easily on the claim belt. The location tag to find it more easily I didn't do (yet). I mostly do the opposite with my phone camera, when there is something written like very very little and unreadable, I light it up and zoom it in and take a picture which I delete after reading whatever it was. And the "take one minute to focus on what you hear smell feel see taste" is actually a technique in mental health care to live in the moment and to not get ahead of yourself. Filling out the form to get help is also pretty clever if you're not as stubborn as I am. I was so used to being not helped with my social anxieties I just grew immensely independent. I never thought of it but it would actually have helped. I learned to accept and even ask for help later on. I'd try it but I don't need it anymore and I don't want to take away focus from someone who really depends on it. So yeah, I do variations of most of these. Except the cane. 😜

[@BettySimounds]

I am so enjoying following you, learning to understand so much more about the life of the visually impaired. Absolutely love you both and of course Mr. Maple

[@thorn_princess]

I come back to this channel whenever I have a bad day. May god bless you both ❤

[@wrestler10616]

I love you two so much it’s truly inspiring. Without my contacts I’m basically blind but I can only imagine what it’s like looking through a straw on top of that

[@cheryl6027]

Paul, you are so brave going onto the rocks by the sea whilst on holiday , I wouldn’t do that and I can see 😂

[@heididepotter8136]

I m a guide for my blind neighbour and I start to struggle with my sensitive eyes too. We understand eachother. I prefer that he ALWAYS uses his cane letting people know. Hugs to Mister Maple. All tips are welcome I fill forms in for my neigbour too or help him find "misplaced" items. Like the remote of the TV I m so frustrated how public instances make print so small, uch... Tip: get yourself a sighted GUY lol My neighbour was eating so clumby and people were judging/staring Untill he pulled his cane out People HAVE to state their opinion so fast lately I use my phone to enlarge print/ pictures I have troubles reading longer text Oh yes the sounds. Those were scary at the begining when my vision got worse. I heard EVERYTHING! Grate tips!!!! I m using Pauls captip to get the glare out of my eyes Oh I hate when people move items/furniture! Or keep stuff lying on the floor! I m a furiture tracker too lol not only for my poor eyes but for my poor walking too Paul: how do you deal with your clubsyness? Sometimes I m so ashamed and sometimes I laugh it away. But sometimes I hurt myself and I start crying I live alone

[@RayF6126]

I go explore every sound now. The worst part is realizing you turn your head to hear in the oddest way sometimes.

[@sandrak.robbins6305]

Thank you! Totally enjoy your informative and upbeat videos! ... and Mr. Maple of course :D

[@dannyd493]

When you undo your cane.. It would be funny if you say "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" 😂

[@lauralie9658]

Molly Burkes dog loves the spot light too. Mr. Maple just knows how handsome he truly is!❤

[@Genie86333]

Another luggage/using your phone for help tip: if you're going to be in a situation where Matthew's not with you, take a picture of your luggage beforehand, so you can show whoever is helping you what it looks like, in addition to the tag, which may be hard to see if the bag is in the wrong position.

[@kaylewolf]

I love this It's really inspiring to me where I have level 2 autism We can still all have great lives ❤

[@imperfectinfo]

Love it! Hope you guys get to travel a lot more, looking forward to more great vids from you both ❤

[@AbstractlyDelen]

As a disabled person, I love the new intro of “I’m blind and…” It feels a bit more personal, and like you’re going to tell a story, rather than “my husband is blind and…” which sounds more like “I’m a caregiver, and this is what we’re talking about today.” I love your content and channel, and love how you show the different struggles, and successes, of living with disability

[@maaikebouwman1168]

Hey Matthew and Paul, Just want to say, i find it really interesting to learn about dissabilities. So this video was really interesting to learn about your experiences. Thanks for sharing❤🧡💛💚💙💜👍

[@jobayliss8002]

I agree that putting the phone down and living the moment is amazing and necessary. Yet, at the time that the vision us completely gone, the photos can be a tool to relive some memories Matthew can look at a photo and describe it to you, and the memories can be revisited along with the happiness. Just a thought.

[@joycechicoine6270]

I love you guys. You are so sweet together.

[@mogye1448]

guys. You are awesome. not only, that You are "giving away" some ideas of how to do better as a visually impaired individual, but showing that You are so positive. its sooooo awesome to see this. i appreciate Your existence. for real. :) also, i love the idea You gave to all the people of the internet -at 9:56 - : that ppl should BE IN THE MOMENT (and how). this little exercise could actually give a reeaaaally great experience and awesome memory to that travel, for sure. Thank You again, for being so awesome! :) although... there is only one thing that i always wonder about, when watching a video of Yours, like this: why does Matthew always play a statue? i mean, i love Your smile man, but still... :D look at Paul: his fidgeting and doing his articulating... well, i mean Paul does his thing like 4x times more than Matt... i don't think this would be bad, just feels kind of weird. anyway, love You guys, thank for the video! oh, and give Mr. Maple a big patting and scratching near his ears for me, please! xD

[@TH_ENTERPRISE]

Wow is that the color of his eyes for real 👀they are pretty💙I just noticed that 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jeskac209]

Both so handsome! I think they are model's 💕

[@shirleyperry8593]

Hi ❤ I watch from Australia. And you guys are amazing 🎉

[@moxie_kat]

Okay Paul talking about having a mind map of hotel rooms so he can navigate in the middle of the night to find the bathroom reminded me of one time in a hotel (I’m fully sighted by the way) when I tried to find the bathroom in the pitch black room and walked face first into a wall cause I thought the bathroom door was there 😂 I can’t even imagine having to navigate a new place without being able to see it first (or at least pieces of it). Kudos to Paul for finding a way to navigate as simply as possible

[@JimRosipkoRN]

Also through the TSA app one can asked in advance for a TSA representative to help you to process through security check

[@kellysmirror]

I’ve been following you since and love your contents! I was wondering if you were interested in providing Korean subtitles for your videos bc I’m sure Korean viewers would LOVE your videos. I’d be more than happy to do this free of charge! Just a big fan of yours ❤ lmk!

[@charlieann456]

My Dad used bright yellow duct tape on his luggage. He wrapped it around, so it was visible from any side. It sure made finding his bag so much easier.

[@HappilyCarnivore]

Eight years ago? For some reason I didn't realize you two had been together that long. You might have said and I just spaced out and missed it.

[@MatthewHarnest]

I commented on another video about that voice actor that is blind and figures out how to stay active. His you tube is blind surfer Pete gustin. I thought maybe Paul would be interested. He's something else that's for sure. Worth a watch

[@kayemoore2507]

I am here trying to remember if I ever see Paul vex Paul always happy and laughing and Matthew is a good partner 🥰❤️🇬🇾

[@Stay_tooned]

I love the education and your personalities.

[@CharlaBell-m9y]

I LOVE you guys 💞😘💞 You 2 are are perfect for each other!

[@elenagarcia1656]

Matthew & Paul os amo , soy española y os admiro ❤

[@jem2188]

Love you guys such positive energy 🥰 plus there’s mr maples❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Smells can be very powerful memories.

[@Queen.of.chaos1971]

Great video, guys. Appreciate both of your perspectives ( and Paul's hair is on point as always 👌 )

[@frostiesarah2315]

Great fun premier, see you next week ❤️

[@richarddeason1845]

Great information

[@MatthewandPaulOfficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fred5150]

My cousins did that for me when I traveled on a plane. Fred will need a wheelchair and they were ready and waiting for me. Allowed me to board ahead of others. They had someone waiting when we landed and took me through the airport with a wheelchair.

[@Celeste_51]

Your videos are so informative ❤ you guys are so inspiring. Wish you all the best 😊

[@Hollybank5]

You two are adorable ❤

[@thecasualpuzzler]

I was on an plane this past week and there were several people who were visually impaired. I overheard the flight attendants tell them how many rows they were from the restrooms and when the food they ordered was delivered they explained the tray on where everything was.

[@SB-pj9dx]

I absolutely love the 3 of you (I am including Mr Maple)!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thomaswright7270]

ty so much Paul for the phone camera triick. I may not have the same vision issue, and lost most of my sight due to a stroke

[@katiej823]

I’ve had the same neon pink luggage since I was a 14 year old girl and I’ve never replaced it because it stands out in a sea of black luggage!

[@Devlinator61116]

Certain dog breeds were bred to carry but not harm small game. That's why Maple is so good at holding your hand in his mouth without hurting you.

[@kaleimaile]

Hope you had fun on your trip.

[@Georgia7Pap]

There's actually a great book if you're interested. It's called "Rush" by Emma Scott. The hero is left blind after an accident and the heroine gets a job as his caregiver. So they start living together and eventually fall in love. Then they break up for a while. The heroine gets a job as a musician and goes on tour through Europe. The hero decides to follow her tour and he travels through Europe alone. It's really interesting because we get his pov of him traveling alone and all the difficulties that he encounters.

[@thorn_princess]

Wow I am gonna read that ❤

[@juliannamauie5634]

I always watch your video to stare on Paul😍. You guys are adorable

[@MaliaEmpowered]

waiting for this premiere ❤

[@Absbor]

Paul stuck on the island was beautiful

[@MelodySharp.]

It took me multiple months but I finally had enough spare money to get one of your plushies! I they are so adorable!

[@cziegle3794]

Yay top 57 and top 744 comments and likes. Love this channel. Best to you and your family. Thanks for making this video.

[@ItsApploniaNVinnieBaby]

Sending so much love love love and positivity to Maple,Paul,and Mathew I could have just said the fam but I wanted to give u each a special shout out lol love u all as always have fun fun fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🥰😘🌹❤️xoxoxoxo

[@crystalfrost3351]

You should do a travel vlog from your trip. Shorts will do because i just love watching both of you having fun from the snippet you uploaded 🤭🤭🤭

[@amyralls6218]

I can't believe you two had the gall to actually start filming without Mr Maple right there with you! I mean, REALLY!!!

[@MichaelWilliamz]

It has to help so much for Paul to be so gorgeous 😍

[@deesweden]

I can sense that Paul started to get annoyed with Matthew who keep cutting Paul's sentences... But Paul really has a good emotional balance toward Matthew ❤️☺️ and covered it with a smile... I need to learn this from Paul 😁 (self reminder)

[@PsychoTrin]

I'm autistic, and flying can be tough sometimes But they are usually pretty kind about it

[@stuffmations7670]

Molly had done a video talking about a smaller cane like a mini that tells everybody that you are disabled.... do you want to go ask her about some of these because there's like the lanyards that are sunflowers that are supposed to also kind of tell people an alert people when you are flying or going places that you may need some extra help as well. Lanyards can be not only for a physical but also a disability that you can't see.

[@PotatoPower144]

You could use neon duct tape on your luggage to make it more visible 👍. My mom has Stargarts and I use bright tape for lots of stuff. You guys are wonderful! Love your vids! 🙏💚

[@sharonb3324]

I make Pom poms and attach to my luggage. It makes it easier when someone may have something similar and it’s easy to describe. 😊

[@katrinahough290]

I had someone cut in front of me at Atlanta. She knocked the bottom 2 members of the cane loose. I stopped to reset. She glared back at me. My son was livid. lol, She was rushing. We moved on to the escalators, she was right in front of me. I noticed the red whelps on her ankle. I really did feel sorry for her... but it was her own fault.

[@Locahaskatexu]

In regards to asking, it's generally a case of "you don't ask, you don't get" tbh. The worst thing they can tell you is 'no, I'm sorry, we don't do that/we can't accomodate that.' which is where you're already at. Most companies tend to be very accomodating, and know the systems, so generally speaking if they cannot accomodate you, they may know of another company that can accomodate you. I do have a question though, what's Paul's favourite spot in an aeroplane? Does he prefer a window seat? or an aisle seat? Does he prefer a seat in the back of the plane? the middle? or the front? With his blindness I'd imagine the sensory acuity of his equilibrium is heightened, does this mean he's more prone to airsickness?

[@geraldgoyette2676]

Always look forward to these videos and love every one of them. You guys also have a great week