Carolay’s Reviews > As I See It: My View from the Inside Out > Status Update

Tom admits that, " it seems that those people with exceptional talent can rise above adversity, an I must also say that for those special needs folks...pretty good job(189). It opened my eyes to see that the ones in the middle are more affected by the system than those who are really talented and those with disability.

The author states that, "We will not succeed as a global community unless we are willing to accept the concept of interdependence"(181). I am recommending this book because I really like his point on interdependence and I believe more people should have this mindset as well. It may open the eyes of many.

From Tom's thoughts and actions I can infer that he once did feel envious of the traditional external vision. He wasn't always happy and wasn't always the positive thinker he is today. He states that , "[he] no longer [envied] those of you with traditional external vision"(175). By this I know that he once did envy it, but now has got over the fact that he can't change what he lacks of but he can make the best of it

I really like how Tom defines talent. He says, "If talent blends with a substantial work ethic, you have "'it"'(169). Talent is not only skill but also how much detication you put into perfecting that skill.

I first thought that Tom and I had a lot in common, but then I realized we are very different. For example, Tom states, " There is nothing in my time here on earth that cannot be managed into a positive"
(163). I don't usually have this positive outlook, i'm much more of a pessimist.

I know how it feels to find growth and success in failure. Tom states, "In failure we find the learning curve necessary to grow and succeed"(159). Each time we fail at something, we gain experience and knowledge. So even though you may have not done it correctly the first time, now you have more experience and your chances are success chances are higher.

Tom states, "A smile really does have a Sound, and it will always be one of my favorites"(143). This makes a picture in my mind of someone having a huge smile across their face and making a clicking sound. It's interesting how for Tom a smile can be so much more than it is to me.

I really love the way on how Tom talks about limitations and all the examples he shared. He states, "We need to accept our limitations but acknowledge that we have the right to expectations"(127). Coming from someone who had the beauty of sight being taken away from him, this is very powerful and it made me open my eyed to many possibilities.

I am most like the character of Tom in this chapter, especially when he goes on and talks about how he fears failure. In the text he states, " My fear of failure has been as significant to my successes as my acceptance of new challenges"(123). I too fear failure and not being good enough. Today in day, we grow up in a society that is all about what you have. Sometimes there's a lot of pressure .

A part I find confusing is when Tom started talking about life and death. First he started talking about advantages, disadvantages, and possibilities. But then, he goes on and brings up the concept of life and death.