Meet the 2007 Participants

Kyle

James Weldon Johnson, Florida

Kyle Coon, is an 14 year old Cancer survivor, rock climber, drummer, inspirational speaker, and inspired young man.

In October 1992 Kyle was diagnosed with bilateral sporadic retinoblastoma, cancer of the eye, he was only 10 months old. Kyle and his family would spend the next 5 years battling this very rare eye disease until the years of treatment had taken its toll on his eyes and the decision to remove them was made.

In February of 1996 Kyle’s left eye was removed and in October of 1997 his right eye was removed leaving him totally blind. Kyle was blessed to have six years of sight by which he was able to see and understand basic colors, shapes, and sizes. He was prepared from a very young age as best as possible, for what would become his unsighted world. Kyle underwent the normal anger phase anyone would expect too, however, his world would be turned right side up sooner than later.

A friend of Kyle’s father heard Ed Weihenmayer speak at her Rotary club and passed his phone number to Kyle’s dad. Ed Weihenmayer and Kyle’s dad arranged for Kyle to meet Ed’s very special son Erik. Approximately, one month after the total loss of his sight and the tremendous fear that accompanies such loss Kyle would meet a man that would inspire him beyond his imagination. Erik, blind since he was 13, was in Jacksonville on a speaking tour talking about all of his accomplishments as a blind person and athlete. Kyle and Erik met for about 2 hours that day and changed Kyle’s life forever.

Kyle was recently honored by paying special tribute to his inspirational friend and mentor, this past February on the Oprah Winfrey show. Kyle has since followed in Erik’s footsteps as a climber and inspirational speaker sharing with others as Erik has shared with him.