Kyle Coon graduated college in three years, climbed mountains worldwide, is a public speaker and has appeared on national television multiple times. But, when it came to a job interview years ago, he was told, “We just don’t think you can do this.” All because cancer took his vision by the time he was seven years old.
Central Florida-based Lighthouse Works, an organization that provides competitive job opportunities for blind and visually impaired adults, hired Coon and gave him the opportunity to work with its leadership executive program, National Industries for the Blind.
Coon has published his memoir, Discovering a Life Without Limits: How Cancer Took My Sight, Blindness Gave Me Vision and the Mountains Let Me Live. The book tells the story of going from a world of darkness to the world’s mountain peaks as a triathlete, and highlights Coon’s life from his cancer diagnosis at 10 months old through finally securing employment at Lighthouse Works after his graduation from the University of Central Florida.
“Kyle overcame significant hurdles to find the ultimate success, and his story is inspiring to all who meet and know him,” said Kyle Johnson, President and CEO of Lighthouse Central Florida and Lighthouse Works. “He motivates all of us at Lighthouse to ensure we always provide the highest quality of vision rehabilitation services and job opportunities so our clients can find success and live life on their own terms, just like Kyle.”
Coon eventually joined the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and later moved to Colorado, where he started competing in triathlons, working with the Association of Blind Athletes and writing. In addition to penning his memoir, his most recent accomplishments include winning first place at the World Triathlon Para Series in Yokohama, Japan, which has him on track to make the U.S. Paralympic triathlon team for the 2021 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.
“After college, I was eager to join the workforce, but companies turned me away,” recalled Coon. “But Kyle and the Lighthouse Works team gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. They welcomed me into an organization that ultimately changed the course of my life and allowed me to chase my dreams.”
Coon’s book can be purchased on Amazon or through his publisher.
Lighthouse Works is the social enterprise of nonprofit Lighthouse Central Florida, which provides life-changing vision rehabilitation services in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.
