TikTok · abrielleclausing
Legally Blind Man Faces Discrimination at Seattle Restaurant
Heartbreaking Discrimination at Seattle Restaurant
Young blind man shares how restaurant worker mocked his guide dog.
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
Paul Castle, a legally blind TikToker with over 2.1 million followers on his account @matthewandpaul, shared a distressing experience on TikTok. He recounted how he and his guide dog, Mr. Maple, were kicked out of a Seattle restaurant when a staff member refused to believe he was blind.
“I walked in with my guide dog, Mr. Maple, and immediately somebody rushed up to me and said, ‘No pets allowed, only service dogs,’” Paul explained. He responded, "'It's OK, he's a service dog.’ The staff member looked at me and said, ‘Emotional support dog?’ I clarified, ‘No, like a guide dog for the blind.’”
The Staff Threatened To Call The Police
Young blind man shares how restaurant worker threatened him.
@matthewandpaul/TikTok
Despite showing the staff member Mr. Maple’s harness labeled “Guide Dogs for the Blind,” Paul was met with skepticism. “He said, ‘You don't look blind,’ and I said, ‘A lot of people in the blind community still have some functional vision.’”
"You don't look blind."
Paul has Retinitis pigmentosa, a condition causing vision loss due to the gradual breakdown of cells in the retina. He explained his limited vision, describing it as a small tunnel surrounded by moving lights and random colors. The staff member remained unconvinced. “He said, ‘You're looking right at me.’ I said, ‘Yes, but it's like I have a pinhole of vision — that's all I can see.’ He replied, ‘This isn't my first rodeo,’" implying he believed Paul was lying.
The confrontation escalated when Paul offered to bring his dog’s paperwork. The staff member responded, “If you step foot back in this restaurant with that dog, I will call the police.”
Watch The Full Video Now:
He's Using This Experience To Spread Awareness
Young blind man plays with service dog, Mr. Maple.
@matthewandpaul/Instagram
Despite the negative experience, Paul is turning this situation into an opportunity to educate and inspire others. Through his popular TikTok account, he is raising awareness about the realities of living with a disability and the importance of understanding and empathy. And it's working.
"My manager sent this to our work chat to make sure we don’t do the same," one comment read.
Paul's video has since garnered 16 million views, with many commenters expressing outrage and support. "Don’t be shy, tell us what the restaurant was called," one hilarious comment read. Another added, “Pretty sure if you name the restaurant all the Seattle baddies with service dogs will congregate.”
Even though comments were asking Paul to name the restaurant, he decided not to as he doesn't want the restaurant to face backlash; however, he did meet up with the manager of the restaurant who sincerely apologized to him and told him employees would be better trained on this topic.
Paul’s story serves as a powerful reminder that advocacy and education can lead to a more inclusive and compassionate society. By sharing his journey, Paul hopes to inspire others to stand up for their rights and foster a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, is treated with dignity and kindness.
Where Has The Love Gone?
An open letter to love
Dear Love,
You are perhaps the greatest of emotions. Your presence and meaning intensify at the most significant moments in our lives either through joy or pain. When we commit our lives to those we love, as in marriage, when we become parents, or sadly, when we lose a loved one, be it by death or simple departure. You can drive us to make a purpose out of our lives.
People have died for you, people have sinned for you, people have used your name in vain. It is often said that it is you who makes the world go round. So as the pre-eminent emotion, the feeling of feelings, you must look upon me and my fellow men and women and be puzzled, disrespected, and shocked. When you view the current state of this world, you MUST wonder, “what have they come to”?
As you see the horrific things we do to each other and our planet, you have to feel forgotten. I understand, I am often ashamed, and on behalf of the world, I apologize. I sincerely apologize. I also think that I can explain, perhaps. I’m not a great sage, nor am I perfect by any means. I may know at least in part; some of what has happened.
You see, over time, we have lost our way. We have made great, strides in technology over the last ten years alone. We can now do things that were once not only thought to be impossible but frankly, many of these things were not thought of at all!!
We can communicate instantly with countless devices - Yet we hardly talk and almost never listen.
We can get from one end of the planet to the other in record time - Yet we tend to move right past each other. We can prepare a hot meal in minutes - Yet we hardly sit down to eat together. We have multiple portable devices to read books upon - Yet we rarely read to each other especially our children
We have come so far and what has it all added up to? A world where instant gratification rules our very existence. The value in building something; ANYTHING of value ( a family, a marriage, a relationship with our children, a business that adds value the community and the lives of those in the community), has left us. If we don’t get something out of it quickly, we quit. Sad as it is, all hope is not lost.
There are those of us who still value hard work, family, and the reward of success earned. There are plenty who still know that love makes the world go round and that we are in need of you today. There are some of us who are aware that our media will more likely feature a story that focuses on the negative, rather than you. But it’s up to us to treat each other with you in our hearts, and I am here to tell you that there are still good people in this world. So don’t give up on us just yet. For within us is the potential to be, to give, and to have an amazing experience.