A Different Perspective - The Story of Ray Ponce

[shadyzz954]

I see this guy all the time but never knew his story, have given him money before and will continue to now every single time I go to the Ralphs on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, across from the Jinkys Cafe.

So if you're in the neighborhood, help him out!

[JBlovers3712]

So amazing!! Stay strong Ray!! -3

[slayerholic666]

I just made my donation to this man. He is a true inspiration!

[SlashBackTube]

Wow... complain about your life now.

[MrSideSwipes]

This is fantastic. I'm going to share this with my friends, I'm sure it'll help loads of people that are feeling down and inspire them.

[andersistheman]

stay strong ray

[jdthesexpert05]

WHO WOULD DISLIKE THIS?!

[Petertunes]

And you can tell everybody that this is your song! Amazing work dude, wish there was a way for me to tell him how inspirational he is!

[PIZZYPUSH]

This is truly beautiful.

Viva Ray Ponce, life is amazing.

Even though he cannot see it, he is living it, which is way more than most people.

[wangsworld1218]

8 people don't know what inspiration is...

[abhinavdua]

what a touching story! im inspired

[Tennisrack100]

reddit sent me here =)

[Nati0us]

Yeh it's sad and all, but there is always someone worse off

[END2BEGINNING]

If there is a good soul left in the music industry... Ray Ponce will be signed, and I will buy his albums.

[oliwalsh1]

is he not afraid of getting robbed when he's busking?

[GuideGuyJDurr]

God Bless

[fawkes78]

what an amazing person

[irArcangel]

i see him every weekend outside bank of america in Van Nuys!

great guy with great talent! keep doing what ur doing!

[Roxielove1990]

Let me just say one thing. He may not be my father BUT hes my sisters father and hes so strong and so inspiring to me because hes doing so much and doing what he loves. WE LOVE YOU RAY(: THUMBS UP PLZ.

[ilovejordanjansen100]

i saw @jordanjansenmusic 's tweet about this and so i decided to watch it. i am so so so so so so so so so so so glad i did. you are such an inspiration and you are a hero. you're amazing. never give up. lots of love. <3

[jansenfanalltheway]

im sorry.. but who could dislike this?!

[YariBieber]

7 people that do not have heart /:

[DennisLaffin]

I want to thank Jordan Jansen for telling me about Ray. Ray is a true inspiration for everyone especially those who are living with disabilities. God bless you Ray. You're making the best of your situation and inspiring others to make the best of their own situations and to appreciate the really important things in life.

[Lchey648]

awww. Mr. Roy Ponce, you are an inspiration. You are amazing :)

[lionpop2]

Jordan Jansen sent me here, and i gotta say, ray, ur an inspiration to me (:

[jordanjansenmusic]

Hi Ray, we just met you outside Ralphs as well! I just tweeted the link to this video so I hope you get lots of comments and someone reads them to you. And I didn't cry watching it haha! but its so sad, you are an amazing person and an amazing artist, maybe one day I'll play a song with you!!

Jordan :)

[bieberqueen6]

@jordanjansenmusic OMJ that would be amazing if u did a song with him jordan. this is a sad video. its really touching.

[tayluvsyou20]

thumbs up if Jordan sent you here . <3 this man is so inspirational, Ray stay strong buddy <333

[hitmanprodigy]

Hi Ray I just say you outside the Ralphs in Sherman Oaks. I promised you I'd see the video.. I'll see you soon my friend. Jack

[jordanjansenmusic]

@hitmanprodigy we just saw him too at the same spot, he's amazing!

[dickyv34]

I first saw Ray about 6 months ago outside Ralph's in Sherman Oaks. I gave him a dollar, and listened to him finish the song he was playing, applauded and told him he was very good. Then I saw him again, and again, and again. I could not believe how much passion he sings with, and every time I go to Ralphs I listen to him play. I now only go to that ralph's just to see him. He is truly an inspiration to me, and he makes me want to be a better husband, father, all around person. From Rich

[brianherzlingerfilms]

Like many of you, I was on my way out of the supermarket when I had the great fortune of meeting Ray. This happened about 15 minutes ago, and he directed me toward this video, which he was so excited to share. What an inspiration you are Ray, and I will share this video with as many people as I can. Thank you!

[jamezvideo]

Whats up RAY! Good to see you this morning. 18 thousand!  james

[jamezvideo]

Whats up RAY! Good to see you this morning. 18 thousand! james

[flojogrande]

Outstanding film work and narration. Beautifully told, editted and captured.... the most powerful 3 minutes and 25 seconds you'll come across on this whole venue we know as youtube. Thanks for keeping it real(!!)

[flojogrande]

Hey Ray, life is so busy for us all in this rat race. I'm glad I stopped by to view your video. I'll visit a few of your others as I really wanted to hear your music but it was truely touching, what you had to say. I didn't really know anything about you other than you were a street performer. I've seen you on the 234 line and now on the 761 line. I'm glad to have met you and I know I'll continue to run into you. I'll be on the 234 again, from the driver's seat ~ Al

[RAMIREZ7825]

I met him on Van Nuys Blvd in front of a bank of america we talked for a minute. He made me feel thankful for my life and my family. I had my friend snap a picture with me and Ray. He has an angel surrounding him or something because I felt energy and comfort around him. No bull sh! t. Keep on Rockin Ray....

[FANTASSYGODDESS]

All I can say Is AMAZING This makes me never want to complain ever again about my life . God bless Him wow.........

[afkatws]

An inspirational & life-affirming film. I just wonder how the hell anyone watching it should wish to 'dislike' this film - leaves me speechless.

[ajherna2]

I met Ray tonight and he was so excited that his YouTube video had gotten over 17,000 hits. Super inspirational, I'm going to share with all of mine. Thank you!

[1Spinnvill]

I also want to hear more music. At least go back and record the entire song! upload it.

He might be the only person in the world that makes a better "your song" than elton himself.

[jtmcdc]

I want to hear his music! Where can i find it?

[edsterp]

I showed it to my mom today and she was so touched, especially on mother's day.

If you need anything reguarding Ray just e-mail me back. thanks again

[MrPONCE97]

Proud to call you dad!!

[RankerTossBosss]

Great great video, you truly  are an inspiration to us all..

[Jesusfreak2599]

I'm related to him!

[donore1000]

Being human means facing challenges, Ray is a real human being.

[jimmyg4life]

Dislike=Dumbfucks

What a story!!

[NibbleHusky]

reddit is so awesome

[gavinholt98]

@NibbleHusky Normally I'd say this is unnecessary, but reddit is so awesome. I love watching our community care. I'm so glad I ditched Digg

[uluvatc]

Inspirational and beautifully shot.

[jac1318]

as a rising musical artist.... this is very inspirational... what an amazing man.... and what i take out of this more than anything is.... no matter what... if you chase your dreams, and do what makes you happy, you can wait up the next morning excited for the day with a smile on your face.... too often we get lost in what people tell us we should do instead of listening to ourselves... excellent video

[TumTum21x]

any way to setup direct donations to him?

[kamdiba]

@TumTum21x I just registered a domain in his name. I will let everyone know where they can send direct donations. Thanks again for your response!

[kamdiba]

@TumTum21x - Ray is now setup to receive donations online! Please go to - rayponce.com

[maxwolfeee]

I definitely feel like a big pile of shit right now.

[gavinholt98]

@maxwolfeee It's okay. I did too. Then I realized that Ray is a reminder that we get to look at the world with our eyes in a new way. Hope that doesn't sound too cheesy, but it's true.

[GalenSpring]

This video needs to be seen by everyone. All too often peoples stories are never told, but when someone takes the time to find them and share them, they can give us all a new perspective.

[miguelshihto]

People always say "I can't imagine not knowing what my [insert family member/loved one here]" but when he said "I think I know what people are talking about when they say 'red' "

That blew my mind.. It's hard to convey over text, but, to not know something as simple as colors. But then, to flip this, think of the beauty he does see, not being held down by aesthetics and visuals; to truly be unable to judge a book by its cover.

That is true beauty.

[judithwiththehead]

Extreme legit.

[whighamz]

i hope that anybody that downvoted this video gets better, because they're obviously a very ill person

[ginrummy20]

Great video, very inspiring. Best wishes go out to Ray and his family.

[Taylor314T5]

great story.

[TheSarahbug7]

I made an account just to comment on this video. I want to give a major kudos and the most respect to everyone involved in this video. You all did an outrageously amazeing job for a man who deserves this. I know first hand the reality in this video. Ray is really talented and its just amazeing how great he plays. Nothing could take away his God given talent, nothing. Ray is way deseveing of this and not only is he talented with his music but he is hilarious.

[kamdiba]

@TheSarahbug7 Thank you so much for your comments! It really means a lot that you went out of your way to comment on Ray's video.

[TheSarahbug7]

@kamdiba Just so you know I receaved your message and I want to thank you for your response to me. Thank you!

[edsterp]

@TheSarahbug7 I'm his brother and there's alot more to his story. He has been throught some very very tough times and yet he still has that positive attitude and has had it most of his life. I couldn't imagine being in his shoes. What's funny is he was a better drummer then he is a guitar player lol. His family does love him as he mentioned. great film thanks Ed Ponce

[gavinholt98]

@edsterp Wow I remember him talking about his drumming when he was younger. This is so cool watching it reach out to his family so quickly. btw I'm the DP of the shoot.

[MrB4]

Elton John's "Your Song" couldnt be any more perfect...

[erinalicia02]

Who Court?

[dannlynch]

I'm a slug.

[tom4ed]

Nice video optimus_maximus, I'd like to work together with you some day on a documentary.

I have a concept we can discuss.

tom4ed

[tjosbourne]

This is one of the best things ive seen

[TheSirBoyKing]

I would love to jam with this guy someday. He's right about the just going out there and living the dream, It would be tough but awesome to play for so many hours a day! Respect.

[keeelllaaan]

@erinalicia02

And i'm his son, hi sis!

[kamdiba]

@erinalicia02 I'm so happy you contacted me. Every time we talk he mentions you guys... and he waited so patiently for me to finish this short film to share with you guys. He's an amazing man.

[ranalugh]

Seeing this makes me think I don't have absolutely no excuse to not try my best! Inspiring, real and touching.

[muzikjunkee789]

inspirational, like he said, "just try" what a mantra to live by. great story.

[Game0ver2010]

5*

[berttheman1230]

Whoa, very cool. Not what I expected. Wonderfully made, wonderful story.

[digdugdiggy]

Thanks for this. Very touching, great work.

[z666Tool666z]

For a second I thought he was going to say the summer of '69.

People like this are always an inspiration, I don't know how they can be so positive. They have a much better appreciation of everthing than most people ever will.

[hamlet5401]

wonderful

[dien1337]

Well said.