Thomas Niederpruem lives by the motto: “There is value in everyone.” Many undervalue and underestimate individuals with disabilities, but Thomas shares the stories of his friends who helped him grow and find joy and purpose. Thomas is a local New Albany resident, involved in a few organizations geared towards working with those with disabilities, including Buddy Up for Life, Miracle League, and Special Olympics. He graduated from New Albany High School in 2020, and was able to surpass 500 service hours, a number that has since tripled. You can find Thomas volunteering in the area, enjoying time with family and friends, and doing it all with a smile on his face. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx