FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An alert Fort Lauderdale resident recently made a life changing discovery on one of his morning walks.
He discovered the man he saw living on a bus bench wasn’t just homeless.
The man was also blind.
David Beaulieu hasn’t been able to get Kenny Corbin off his mind.
“I’ve noticed Kenny sleeping on the cement bench here, and one day I saw his mobility stick,” said 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 living on a bus bench across from Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale since June of last year. For months Local 10 News has been following his journey.
Corbin counts steps to get him to the Speedway gas station nearby, where he eats and uses the bathroom.
He uses the shower at a nearby beach.
Beaulieu lives near 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,” said 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 was used to being on the road during his life, but not like this.
“I drove a semi for 35 years, I’ve always done mechanic work,” he said. “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 lost his vision, his home, and he said the people he trusted to help him actually cleaned him out.
“All I have is 2 bags,” he said. “A backpack and a bag. That’s it.”
Beaulieu had set up a fund for Corbin, which has raised nothing, so he called Local 10 News.
“Someone has to get his story out,” Beaulieu said.
Corbin claims with mobility training, he’d be able to live on his own.
“I can cook, I can clean, I can do everything,” he said.
Local 10 News reached out to state and local social service agencies.
A county homeless outreach found Corbin and dropped him at the Salvation Army, but he wasn’t there long.
“She said, ‘One, we don’t have a referral. Two, we don’t have a bed, and our lobby is not your hotel,’” he said. “So I packed my stuff up and left.”
Corbin was back at the bus bench, and it was December.
“Someone stole two of my blankets, I’m freezing,” he said. “Someone stole some of my clothes.”
Local 10 News then reached out to Broward Mayor Nan Rich’s office with Corbin’s story.
This time, things were different.
“I’m at the salvation army in a transitional housing program,” Corbin said.
“Is it better than the bus bench,” asked Local 10 News’ Jeff Weinsier.
“A million times,” Corbin said with a laugh. “It’s nice, it’s warm, it’s dry. I don’t get wet when it rains.”
Corbin is now headed down the right path and working with a caseworker.
“I’ve applied for a few apartments with Catholic Services,” he said. “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 said to Corbin. “I don’t know how you do it brother, you’re an inspiration to me.”