TROY—James Robert “Radio” Kennedy and Coach Harold Jones, whose inspirational story was told in the pages of “Sports Illustrated” and later on the big screen in the 2003 movie “Radio,” will speak at Troy University’s 12th annual Helen Keller Lecture on April 17.

This year’s lecture will be offered twice, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus. There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend.

The Helen Keller lecture is designed to promote awareness of people who excel in their chosen fields despite physical and/or mental limitations. The lecture is sponsored by Troy University, and co-sponsored by the Alabama Department of Education, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, the Helen Keller National Center, the Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf/Easter Seals, the Troy Arts Council and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

Jones, former football coach at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, SC, befriended Kennedy, a developmentally challenged youth who was often seen pushing a shopping cart through the streets of the town. Kennedy, who earned his nickname “Radio” because of his vintage radio collection and his love for music, was assumed to be mute and was often the target of scorn by other young people.

Jones enlisted Kennedy to assist the coaching staff and players during practices and games and allowed him to sit in on classes at school. Kennedy soon became a fixture around the high school and its athletic programs and today remains an honorary coach for the T.L. Hanna football team.

Both Jones and Kennedy still reside in Anderson, SC, and share their inspirational story of friendship and compassion through speaking engagements throughout the country.

Also planned for the week will be a showing of the movie “Radio” on Monday night, an artwork exhibit from area schools on Wednesday and FocusFirst eye screening on Thursday, which is open to the public. FocusFirst , an Alabama student vision initiative, provides a cost-effective direct response to the vision problems of underprivileged children ages two to five. Students in TROY’s Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion will screen area children through the use of state-of-the-art photo screening technology and in the event of a potential vision problem, provide assistance in obtaining follow-up treatment.

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