10/14/2026
Jeff King grew up between two worlds.
Back home in Trenton, Missouri, he spent his days working on the family farm, milking cows, gathering eggs, caring for animals, and driving a tractor. During the school year, he attended the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, where he learned Braille and the skills that would help him live independently.
Born blind, Jeff credits both experiences with shaping the person he is today.
"They were strict," Jeff recalls of his teachers. "But they were tough because they knew what they were teaching me would help me survive in the real world."
When he wasn't at school, Jeff was back on the farm alongside his family, learning the value of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. The lessons he learned in both places stayed with him long after graduation.
After high school, Jeff continued building his skills before moving to Kansas City and applying for a job at Alphapointe.
That job became a career.
Today, Jeff has been part of Alphapointe for 38 years. At nearly 62, he still enjoys coming to work each day.
"Alphapointe is the only place I've ever worked," Jeff says. "It has changed a lot over the years, but I plan on being here until I'm no longer physically able to work."
Over nearly four decades and across two Alphapointe locations, Jeff has found much more than a job. He has built lasting friendships, found a sense of purpose, and become part of a community he proudly calls home.
During NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month) - and all year long - we honor and highlight the people with vision loss who are showing the world that there is no impossible. Like Jeff does every single day.
[Image description: Jeff is leaning against a stack of boxes in the Alphapointe warehouse. He is looking to his left while holding his cane and smiling.]
