FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An alert Fort Lauderdale resident not too long ago made a existence converting discovery on one of his morning walks.
He found out the man he noticed residing on a bus bench wasn’t simply homeless.
The man used to be additionally blind.
David Beaulieu hasn’t been in a position to get Kenny Corbin off his thoughts.
“I’ve noticed Kenny sleeping on the cement bench here, and one day I saw his mobility stick,” mentioned Beaulieu. “He was holding it and actually praying. I said wow, this is crazy. This guy is blind and he’s homeless.”
Blind and homeless, Corbin has been residing on a bus bench throughout from Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale since June of final 12 months. For months Local 10 News has been following his adventure.
Corbin counts steps to get him to the Speedway gasoline station close by, the place he eats and makes use of the toilet.
He makes use of the bathe at a close by seaside.
Beaulieu lives close to that bus bench.
“I started talking to him got his story and I’m like wow, how does this guy hold up night by night?
That first conversation led to a friendship and Beaulieu was on a mission to get Corbin help.
“This is a blessing,” mentioned Corbin. “I was freezing, he brought me two wonderful blankets, a little bit of money so I can buy food and stuff. It just shows me someone actually cares. Nobody cared about anything, they don’t. They don’t want to help you.”
Added Beaulieu: “We tend to ignore the homeless. A lot of drugs and alcoholism, but that is not the case with Kenny. He’s a completely different story.”
Corbin used to be used to being on the street right through his existence, however now not like this.
“I drove a semi for 35 years, I’ve always done mechanic work,” he mentioned. “I went blind two years ago on Christmas Eve. I was working on a van. Some kind of powder when into my eye and it melted my corneas.”
He misplaced his imaginative and prescient, his house, and he mentioned the other people he depended on to assist him in truth wiped clean him out.
“All I have is 2 bags,” he mentioned. “A backpack and a bag. That’s it.”
Beaulieu had arrange a fund for Corbin, which has raised not anything, so he referred to as Local 10 News.
“Someone has to get his story out,” Beaulieu mentioned.
Corbin claims with mobility coaching, he’d be in a position to continue to exist his personal.
“I can cook, I can clean, I can do everything,” he mentioned.
Local 10 News reached out to state and native social provider companies.
A county homeless outreach discovered Corbin and dropped him at the Salvation Army, however he wasn’t there lengthy.
“She said, ‘One, we don’t have a referral. Two, we don’t have a bed, and our lobby is not your hotel,’” he mentioned. “So I packed my stuff up and left.”
Corbin used to be again at the bus bench, and it used to be December.
“Someone stole two of my blankets, I’m freezing,” he mentioned. “Someone stole some of my clothes.”
Local 10 News then reached out to Broward Mayor Nan Rich’s place of business with Corbin’s tale.
This time, issues had been other.
“I’m at the salvation army in a transitional housing program,” Corbin mentioned.
“Is it better than the bus bench,” requested Local 10 News’ Jeff Weinsier.
“A million times,” Corbin mentioned with a giggle. “It’s nice, it’s warm, it’s dry. I don’t get wet when it rains.”
Corbin is now headed down the proper trail and working with a caseworker.
“I’ve applied for a few apartments with Catholic Services,” he mentioned. “I’m waiting for the portal to be open to apply for Section 8. A case worker is also putting in for Social Security for long term care.
“Without you and David I’d still be sitting on the bus bench on 17th Street.”
Beaulieu couldn’t be happier for Corbin.
“You are looking sharp there man, always got a smile on your face,” Beaulieu mentioned to Corbin. “I don’t know how you do it brother, you’re an inspiration to me.”
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