From Chicken Bones to Punchlines How I Write Jokes and Why I Still Believe in the Crowd

If you've ever wondered how a joke gets written especially by someone like me, a legally blind stand-up comic who still gets butterflies before every show you're in the right place. I set out to write a simple blog post called “Writing a Joke, Where to Begin and How to Begin,” but like most things in my brain, it kind of took on a life of its own. But that’s okay. That’s how comedy works, and honestly, that’s how life works when you live it with your eyes half shut but your heart wide open.

So let’s start where I start most of my jokes with a real moment.

It Starts With Truth

I’ve been performing stand-up comedy for about eight years now, and I’ve learned one very solid truth my jokes don’t work unless they come from a real place. I don’t do fantasy. I don’t do hypotheticals. I talk from the heart, even if it sounds cheesy. If a story didn’t actually happen to me, I just can’t sell it on stage. If I don’t believe it, the audience won’t either.

My material is usually pulled straight out of my life especially the years between age 11 and 19. That was prime time for awkward moments, embarrassing memories, and stories I once swore I’d take to the grave. Lucky for you, comedy has a way of digging those stories back up.

Like That One Time with the Chicken

One of my most beloved (and personally horrifying) jokes came from when I was 11 years old. I had a piece of leftover chicken from KFC and didn’t want to waste it because, you know, moms in the '90s were still haunted by World Vision commercials. I thought my cousin Amber and my sister were still sitting behind me at the park, so I turned around and asked, “Would you like my bone?”

Turns out, they had left and I had just offered my chicken bone to a total stranger.

I was so embarrassed, I actually cried that day. But now, it’s one of my favourite bits to perform. Because it’s true, and because it reminds me that even in our most awkward moments, there’s always a story worth telling and usually a laugh waiting to happen.

😂 If this post gave you a grin, why not fuel the next one? Drop a $5 coffee tip via Buy Me a Coffee. You may even get a shout-out at my next comedy show. and help me keep the funny flowing.😂

Trauma Dumping, But Make It Funny

A lot of my jokes come from embarrassing or even slightly traumatic moments. I don’t set out to trauma-dump on my audience, but I do believe that revisiting those moments with a sense of humour helps us heal a little. And if I can make a crowd laugh while helping myself grow? That’s a win-win.

Also, if I’m being real, I like to think I’m not the only blind guy who’s walked into a mailbox or said something weird to the wrong person. Sharing those moments makes others feel seen even if I can’t literally see them myself.

Speaking of Seeing

I recently had the chance to try a pair of eSight Go glasses, which use a high-def camera and OLED screens to help people like me see the world in vivid detail. It was life-changing. That’s why I’m currently raising funds to buy my own pair through this GoFundMe campaign. It’s not a sponsorship it’s just me asking for help so I can keep doing what I do, only better. Seeing the audience’s smiles? That would be a first. This fundraiser is being ran through Mr. Bjornson and not BLINDGUYCOMEDY.COM I have to make that perfectly clear. Because my company does not have the appropriate paperwork to accept donations. All we can do is share Mr. Bjornson's fundraiser and hope for the best.

Why I Bring Braille On Stage?

You might’ve noticed I always carry a piece of Braille paper on stage. It’s not because I don’t know my jokes it’s because I get distracted. If someone heckles me or yells something out, that paper is my anchor. Other comics say, “Just speak from the heart!” but if my mind goes blank mid-joke, I need that lifeline. It’s how I stay on track and finish the show strong.

Will I Ever Run Out of Jokes?

Not likely. I don’t think comedians run out of jokes we just hit writer’s block now and then. Right now, I’ve got about 45 solid jokes that I love and plan to retire only once I record my first special (hopefully for YouTube). As long as I’m living and reflecting, I’ll always have something to say.

The Night Nobody Came

One of the weirdest and most beautiful shows I ever did was in Edmonton. It was Game 5 of the Oilers playoffs, and nobody showed up… except my wife and my best friend’s sister. Talk about pressure. But when I got on stage and started performing like it was a full house, I realized something important: I really love this. Whether I’m playing to three people or three hundred, I’m there to connect and make people laugh. And those three people laughed so hard, it might as well have been a stadium.

What’s Next for Me?

I’d love to say stand-up comedy is my full-time job, but the truth is, it’s more of a part-time passion right now. I’m actively looking for a 9-to-5 job, something stable so I can take care of my family my beautiful wife and five amazing kids.

I also live with a visual condition called Peters Anomaly, which makes me legally blind. I can use technology, sure, but I still need help getting to gigs. That’s why I’m excited to be signing with a new talent agency soon. For once, I won’t have to promote myself I can just focus on being funny.

Looking Ahead

I plan to pursue an Office Administration diploma in January 2026. I was aiming for this fall, but ran into some funding hiccups. No big deal just a delay, not a defeat.

In the meantime, I’ll keep performing when I can, sharing when it makes sense, and blogging like this when I’ve got something real to say. I recently cleared out most of my old YouTube videos, not because I regret them, but because I’m trying to present myself more professionally as I pursue employment. The old me shared everything. The new me? Still honest just a little more selective.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Asking for help means you still believe in something. And I believe in comedy. I believe in stories. I believe in connection. Whether it’s with an audience, a future employer, or someone reading this post I just want to make a difference.

So thank you. Whether you’re laughing with me, donating to the GoFundMe, or just reading until the very end I appreciate you. Life’s too short to pretend we’ve got it all figured out. Let’s at least laugh along the way.

Until next time, J.R. Bjornson Owner of Blind Guy Comedy.