Kenneth’s life has always been about service and resilience. From his childhood years climbing coconut trees in Jamaica, to his decades of civil rights work with the National Urban League, he’s been no stranger to challenge—or to change. But nothing tested him quite like vision loss.
Glaucoma crept in slowly, first as a shadow in 2006, then as a gradual narrowing of the world he once navigated with confidence. “I began to ride into the world of darkness,” he recalls. Like many, he struggled at first—skipping eye drops, resisting the adjustments, and finding himself caught between denial and fear.
But Kenneth has never been one to fold. “The aces and kings may be gone,” he says, “but you still have queens, twos, and threes—and you’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt.”
That philosophy led him to Hadley. What began as curiosity quickly became a lifeline. With Hadley’s help, Kenneth discovered how to manage his medications, approach cooking again, and even embrace technology. VoiceOver on his iPhone, magnifiers on his computer, and Alexa in his home opened new doors to independence for him.
Perhaps most impactful for him, Hadley connected Kenneth with others. Through participation in our Adjusting and Coping Together group and peer-to-peer program, he found not only practical tips but also a community that understood. “We spend more time encouraging each other than worrying about the challenges,” he says of his peer, Jerry. “It’s a relationship built on the same wavelength, and it makes all the difference.”
Now 93, Kenneth still pushes himself to learn—whether it’s trying out a telescopic white cane or navigating his computer’s search functions. “You just have to try,” he says. “If you have that attitude, it makes everything easier.”
When thinking about Hadley, Kenneth talks about gaining the tools to adapt, the courage to cope, and the human connections that make the journey less lonely.
“They’re the crowns and stars we need to give Hadley,” Kenneth says. “These are human, one-to-one experiences. And they’re most valuable for folks facing challenges like mine.”