Collegiate Times

Most know the critically acclaimed film “The Blind Side” is based on a true story. A family took in Michael Oher, now a Baltimore Raven, who changed their lives forever.

The movie’s success has been kind to the actors and the family alike. The family’s real life daughter, Collins Tuohy, is coming to Virginia Tech to speak. Since the film came out, Tuohy has been busy traveling all over the country, speaking everywhere from Los Angeles to New York to North Dakota.

She will be delivering “Behind the Blindside: Overcoming Obstacles of Adversity” in Colonial Hall in Squires Student Center Wednesday at 7 p.m. Admission is $1 for students and $2 for the public.

Tuohy spoke over the phone with the Collegiate Times to discuss the movie, her family, Oher and her speech.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: Tell me a little bit about what you’re going to be talking about.

COLLINS TUOHY: One theme I talk about is adversity; another is giving. You’re afforded a lot of luxuries at college that you aren’t later on in life. One of those is being able to get involved in a lot of different things at the same time.

I talk a lot of about taking action and getting involved. You don’t have to be 40 to make a difference in the world.

CT: What exactly would you say is the mission of your talks?

TUOHY: Obviously my family is a huge advocate of foster care adoption, but our push is that we want people to get off their butts and do something. There are a lot of issues in this world right now, and there are a lot of things — small things — you can do to help out.

CT: Why personally is this such a great cause for you?

TUOHY: It’s probably because I’ve seen how it affected Michael. I’ve seen (how) doing such a small thing for someone can have such a great impact on them for the rest of their life.

When you witness it, it becomes really hard to turn your back on it. You want to explain to everyone else why they should be doing the same thing.

And if it works for one kid, it should work for hundreds and adults…there’s not really an age limit. I feel such a strong pull to get out there and share this message because I’ve seen first hand that it works.

CT: So ultimately what is the message that you want people to take away?

TUOHY: I want people to understand the power of one person giving. It can be such a monumental part of someone’s life, and you might have no idea it affected them in that way.

It could be as simple as giving your winter coat every single winter. You just need to find something you’re passionate about and do it.

CT: In terms of your plans for the future, where do you see yourself going?

TUOHY: Well I certainly didn’t see myself here. I majored in broadcast journalism. I’ve had endless amounts of offers to do that. I’ve had several offers to write columns in magazines.

God has given me the ability to run my mouth about things that I feel are important. So, until people get tired of listening to me talk about it, I’m going to continue talking. Hopefully doors will open through this … but right now, this is keeping me busy full-time.

CT: Getting back to the story that started it all, how shocked were you that Michael came into your life? Did your parents really surprise you?

TUOHY: No. I talk about all of this in my speech. Michael had such very evident needs, and we didn’t have time to think about all of it.

There wasn’t this big sit-down, everyone hold hands and sing “Kum Ba Yah.” We knew what to do. My mom wanted to make sure he was comfortable at school, that he had the right clothes, a lunch card, chemistry goggles — you know, things normal kids take for granted.

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A version of this article appeared in the Nov 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.