Helen Keller Lecture Series
Combat-wounded Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Joey Jones will be the featured speaker for the
2025 Helen Keller Lecture Series.
Tune in on April 29 to view Live Stream.
Combat-wounded Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Joey Jones will be the featured speaker for the
2025 Helen Keller Lecture Series.
Tune in on April 29 to view Live Stream.
Combat-wounded Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Joey Jones turned a traumatic, life-changing disability into a personal mission to share the life-changing perspective and gratitude he found in his recovery. Joey is an in-demand contributor across all FOX News Media platforms, including FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network (FBN) and FOX Nation Streaming. The New York Times best-selling author is a rotating host for several hit shows including the Fox and Friends franchise, The Five, Big Weekend Show and the primetime show Fox News Tonight.
The Helen Keller Lecture Series, which began in 1995 as the vision of Dr. and Mrs. Jack Hawkins, Jr., was initiated to call attention to and raise awareness of the challenges of those with physical limitations, particularly those affecting sensory ability. Through the years, the lecture has also provided the opportunity to highlight those who have devoted their careers to meeting the needs of the sensory impaired and to celebrate the collaborative efforts and partnerships of Troy University and the agencies and individuals who serve these special individuals.
Joey's easy rapport with, and genuine concern for, people of all walks of life has led to a long list of speaking opportunities. His message focuses on overcoming adversity, finding a positive perspective in dire situations, leaning on those around you, and finding strength in yourself and your community. Whether it be on live television, in writing or speaking to a live audience, his genuine demeanor, thoughtful approach and innate humor allow him to masterfully connect with people on a gamut of issues. He simply believes we all need the opportunity to remind ourselves what we're capable of overcoming. Joey has created a unique and impactful message on the value we bring to others and the necessity to build strong relationships with our teams, family and community.
Jones was raised in Dalton, Georgia. He worked with his dad and uncles as a brick mason in the summers and played football in the fall. After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. During his eight years of service, he worked as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (bomb) Technician, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan on separate tours. During his last deployment to Afghanistan, Joey's team rendered safe and destroyed nearly 80 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along with thousands of pounds of other unknown bulk explosives. It was during that tour on August 6, 2010, when he stepped on and initiated an IED, resulting in the loss of both of his legs above the knee and severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists. He recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C.
Determined to make the road to recovery easier for his fellow wounded veterans, Jones founded a peer visit program at Walter Reed, providing opportunities for others recovering to mentor and encourage newly injured patients. His dedication and relentlessness led to an unprecedented year-long fellowship on Capitol Hill with the House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs Committee. His work resulted in the creation of an annual fellowship for a wounded Marine.
During his recovery, Joey took classes on campus at Walter Reed. In July 2011, after regaining his full physical independence - only ten months after his injury, Joey sought the best possible education and enrolled at Georgetown University. He completed his education in May 2014. His time at Georgetown fostered relationships and efforts that are still changing the lives of veteran students on campus today.
After losing his childhood best friend, a Marine, to PTSD-related suicide in 2012, Joey decided to make veterans' issues a key part of his professional and personal life. Throughout his post-service career, he has carefully fostered relationships with key players in politics and the media to keep veteran issues at the forefront of discussion. He has shared his experiences and insights on the challenges facing active duty and retired service members at the White House with then-President Obama and in conversation with former President George W. Bush. He often visits with multiple cabinet officials and military generals and enjoys a close personal and working relationship with current members of Congress.
An avid outdoorsman, Jones grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where he learned the hard work and culture of ethical hunting while helping his uncle commercially clean and process wild game. Over the past decade, Joey has used his platform and passion to become an advocate for hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation and habitat conservation. Joey hosts the first hunting show featured on a major cable news property, Fox Nation Outdoors, and spends his personal time and resources taking small groups of veterans and first responders on unforgettable hunting retreats.
Joey's deployment, injury and subsequent recovery were documented on ABC Nightline and CBS Evening News. His family's colorful past as moonshiners and race car drivers was featured in the premiere episode of the hit series Religion of Sports. On the big screen, Jones has a speaking role in the Academy Award-winning film Lincoln, he appeared in the independent film Range 15, and was a technical advisor for the independent film Bad Hurt.
His first book, which remained on the New York Times best-selling list for months, “Unbroken Bonds of Battle” was released on June 27, 2023. The book offers deep insight into the relationships and events that forged Joey's outlook on life. Throughout the book, Joey features ten American heroes who played an important part in his life and recovery, as well as showcasing their own stories of bravery and determination. You'll find gold star family members, childhood best friends, professional athletes, politicians and wounded warriors, all with an enlightening take on how to get through hardships.
Prior to joining FOX News, Joey helped design and pilot a Warrior Week military transition program as the senior advisor to military programming at musician Zac Brown's Camp Southern Ground.
Joey currently serves on the Board of Directors for the national nonprofit Boot Campaign,
which serves the health and wellness of the veteran community through a pipeline of
treatment resources.
Helen Keller, an Alabamian and American author and lecturer, overcame considerable obstacles to become an inspiration for others with disabilities. Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, she contracted an illness at 19 months old that left her deaf and blind. For years, there was no way to educate her until, at age seven, she began her special education in reading and writing with Anne Sullivan.
Miss Keller quickly learned to read using the Braille system and to write using a specially constructed typewriter. In 1890, after only one month of study, she learned to speak. Ten years later, she was able to enter Radcliffe College, where she graduated with honors in 1904.
Miss Keller then served on the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and, shortly thereafter, began lecturing throughout the world. After World War II, she visited wounded veterans in United States hospitals and lectured in Europe on behalf of those with physical impairments.
Her writings include “The Story of My Life,” “The World I Live In,” “Out of the Dark,” “Midstream,” “My Later Life,” “Let Us Have Faith,” "Teacher: Anne Sullivan Macy” and “The Open Door.” Her life is the subject of the film, “The Unconquered,” and the play, “The Miracle Worker,” which was made into an award-winning film by American author William Gibson.
For 27 years the following agencies have co-sponsored the event: Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Alabama Department of Mental Health, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation, Alabama State Department of Education, Helen Keller Foundation and Troy University.
Wounded combat veteran and regular Fox News contributor Johnny ‘Joey' Jones will deliver the annual Helen Keller Lecture at Troy University on April 29 on the Troy Campus.
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