For most of his life, Kevin wore his unique ability to adapt like a superhero’s cloak. Until it began to unravel.

Vision problems that began early in childhood brought thick glasses and teasing from other kids. So, Kevin disappeared into books and got contact lenses. As a teenager, he worked at fast food restaurants and, for a while, succeeded despite struggling to read food orders.

Later, Kevin worked as a meat-cutter. He avoided cutting himself with the razor-sharp knives and learned all about the packing business, but he had to hide his inability to read numbers used to identify cuts of meat.

At age 27, he tested a career as a professional wrestler, but that dream, too, was crushed by his disability.

“Each year as I got older, my vision got progressively worse,” he recalled, noting that he is now legally blind. “I was going through depression for a long time… I thought I was worthless.”

Kevin turned to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, where he learned he didn’t have to hide his disability. Then, he went to Goodwill Career Solutions for help finding the right job. Today, he is a greeter at the Memorial Boulevard store in Murfreesboro and has earned a reputation for stellar customer service. “I meet some pretty interesting people from all walks of life,” he said. “Amazing people, actually.”

Customers enjoy Kevin’s quick wit, his handwritten notes on donation cards and learning about his many skills (he is bilingual and a certified CPR instructor). This superhero is no longer grounded by his disability. “I love this job.”

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