Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
On the recent episode of SBS's variety show 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny', French chef Tommy Lee, known for his appearance on Netflix's 'Black and White Chef 2', shared his heartfelt story about his family.

Tommy Lee revealed, "My child has a developmental disability. We found out when he was 24 months old, and now he's 12." Despite the communication challenges, cooking has become a bridge between them.

He explained, "The main reason I appeared on 'Black and White Chef 2' was to show that 'Dad is a chef and still loves cooking.' My child watched the show and called me 'Dad.' It brings me joy to see him smile and enjoy it every time."
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Tommy Lee candidly shared the challenges of raising a child with developmental disabilities. "We discovered our child's condition when he was 24 months old. My wife and I were working, so we sent him to daycare at 18 months. He struggled with separation and cried a lot. We received calls that he was crying even after arriving at daycare. At a birthday party when he was 24 months old, we noticed how different he was from other kids," he recounted.

He continued, "When I suggested going to the hospital, my wife was in denial, saying it was just a delay. After the diagnosis, we returned home in silence. Every parent sees their child as the main character in their life. It felt like the protagonist of my life had suddenly vanished."

Tommy Lee confessed, "It was a moment when dreams disappeared. I had dreams of sending him to Seoul National University or making him a famous actor, but suddenly I was questioning if he could even attend school or speak. It was a difficult time."
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Chef Tommy Lee Opens Up About Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities on 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2'
Tommy Lee shared, "It was so tough that I sought counseling. My wife and I even went for couples therapy. We were both struggling and couldn't look at each other. When my wife said she was having a hard time, I would say 'I am too.' We endured that pain for about a year."

He revealed that he was at a low point in self-esteem, and his wife was diagnosed with depression. "We were on the brink of divorce because we couldn't see each other's pain. I didn't want a divorce. We went to the U.S. for our child's treatment, hoping for a cure," he said.

Reflecting on their journey, Tommy Lee stated, "Love conquers all. With the love of family, our child healed, and my wife and I became a strong team. We gained so much during our time together." He added, "After about eight years of treatment in the U.S., my wife and son are now living in Bangkok, Thailand. Family is the most important value, so I spend more time in Thailand. I come to Korea with the mindset of being on a business trip."

Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr
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