Love, no matter what | Andrew Solomon

What is it like to raise a child who's different from you in some fundamental way (like a prodigy, or a differently abled kid, or a criminal)? In this quietly moving talk, writer Andrew Solomon shares what he learned from talking to dozens of parents -- asking them: What's the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance?

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[KhushbooGupta-pybx]

''The fact that my favourite colour is now blue, and I'm still gay is evidence of  both my mother's influence and limits...'' hahaha

[jdprettynails]

I love every one of his speeches. The fact that he can move me to tears and still make me laugh amazes me. My brother has autism and I wouldn't cure him for the world. When he was 3 I was 18 and didn't understand what his autism would mean for my family's future. His autism has changed us for the better. In a way, his identity has become part of my own. I fight tooth and nail to make sure people don't take advantage of him. He comes to me for help, when our mum's words of comfort aren't enough....even though all I can do is say the same encouraging things but in a different way. If he magically wasn't autistic anymore, he would have an easier life....but he wouldn't be my brother.

[blackurtis]

I love listening to this guy.... It's like poetry :)

[katherinepowell]

I love the cute smile he gets when he finishes his talks

[BennyOcean]

"I don't accept subtractive models of love". Great quote, great talk.

[dannisun]

Sometimes, I have a strong feeling that I'm living in a great time. 30 years ago, the internet in China has not been well developed. People in China, like my parents, they can only know this world from limited TV shows. And now, I can watch these great talks whenever I want. I think it's something amazing. I know people might think I'm strange if I say I feel I'm lucky that I can watch videos on internet. Anyway, this is a nice talk. I like all his talks on TED. TED talks influenced me a lot. I want to find a job in TED. How can I do that? Anyone have any suggestion?

[Dana]

He is wonderful. His speeches move me to tears.

[themonkeykingkaiser]

"Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;"
-The Buddha

[HeartYukitty]

Ι absolutely love this man, he's brilliant.

[hanane]

I can sit and listen to him talk for hours ...

[kwasiappiah]

Very eye opening talk on love, acceptance, parenting, disability, and genuine care. I will be the best father to my unborn child(ren), no matter what

[nicolareddwooddforest]

The main message as I understand Andrew Solomon is that love is stronger than fear of being different, stronger than hardships, stronger than any type of pressure.

[alexrips]

He reminds me of sheldon from Big Bang Theory.

[camilagorisburgos]

I wish I were the daughter of this loving man.

[stuvs]

When he said "we would cease to be, and strangers would move in behind our faces" I groaned out loud and then burst into tears. That's the thing. That's the wound.

[blakiecakes]

"I don't believe in subtractive models of love, only additive ones." wow, so much truth in one sentence.

[Clau]

Andrew Solomon is therapeutic in so many levels <3

[nathansimons]

Choose to love ... rather than hate. *Choose to heal ... rather than wound*. Choose to grow ... rather than rot. *Choose to live ... rather than die*. Choose the truth above the lie. For the first time in history the *ultimate truth of life* is revealed. It explains the big picture of life in every facet. It explains the how life works and exposes the real *truth* about the nature of the mind. The mind is the real core of all the suffering, the *truth* is the key to unslave yourself from the mind. Google *truthcontest click on the earth icon and read the present*

[AbhijitAikara]

What an amazing talk, I just sat there in wonder at the end of this speech wondering and amazed at the number of people this person had touched, number of lives he had changed. He sure is a person who is at peace with himself and every part of his being. Hope we have more people like him talk about different experiences and feelings, which would encourage differences and short comings rather than try to cover or hide them in this world we call home.

[trnta]

5:55 that is so right, when i was really young i kind of liked boys and i always thougt it was only me wanting to be friendswith them, at school girls would want to hang out with me but i felt bad and didnt want to while other guys where trying hard to get a girlfriend, i always thougt i was asexual and just wanted to live by my own, and even if i knew about homosexuality i never thougt about it until i found out more and more about the gay community. His talks are just amazing, congratulations