I liked Royce as soon as I met him...
He somehow managed to find my cell, in his own stumbling way, to ask me for a cup of coffee. He also said that he was feeling down, and that he needed a little conversation.
Royce (not his real name) is almost completely blind; he's also hearing impaired. His clothing always looks wrinkled, as if he likes sleeping in his prison uniform. This uniform is our "state issued" dark green work shirt and heavy green pants.
No one can help but like Royce. In spite of his wrinkled clothing, he has a perky personality. Most of the time, especially when he has a cigarette in his mouth and a cup of coffee in his hand, Royce remains cheerful and brisk, always ready to joke around. Plain and simple, he's a nice person.
Like many of the men in here, he had a bad drinking problem. He also has a bad temper. And when he gets angry, he can be mean and nasty, but only for a little while. It's quite a sight to see a blind man throwing a temper tantrum, swinging his fists in the air in a wild frenzy, screaming cusses, too.
But other than his mean streak, which usually comes about because of the idiots who like to tease him, Royce is a great guy to talk with.
I've been telling Royce about Jesus and the Gospel. Because he's blind, a sighted guide must escort him everywhere he goes. However, I haven't been able to take him to the chapel as of yet because I am not assigned as his guide. But I hope that, maybe in a few months from now, I will be appointed to him.
I've been praying for Royce, and I would love to see him receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. I believe this will come in time.
Now that I'm living in a cellblock that has a number of handicapped men, I can see for myself firsthand how they manage and survive. It really is an impressive sight to see these men, with their loss of eyesight, hearing or both, get around with determination and perseverance.
In my opinion, these humble men have a lot to teach healthy people like myself.
D.B.
Royce (not his real name) is almost completely blind; he's also hearing impaired. His clothing always looks wrinkled, as if he likes sleeping in his prison uniform. This uniform is our "state issued" dark green work shirt and heavy green pants.
No one can help but like Royce. In spite of his wrinkled clothing, he has a perky personality. Most of the time, especially when he has a cigarette in his mouth and a cup of coffee in his hand, Royce remains cheerful and brisk, always ready to joke around. Plain and simple, he's a nice person.
Like many of the men in here, he had a bad drinking problem. He also has a bad temper. And when he gets angry, he can be mean and nasty, but only for a little while. It's quite a sight to see a blind man throwing a temper tantrum, swinging his fists in the air in a wild frenzy, screaming cusses, too.
But other than his mean streak, which usually comes about because of the idiots who like to tease him, Royce is a great guy to talk with.
I've been telling Royce about Jesus and the Gospel. Because he's blind, a sighted guide must escort him everywhere he goes. However, I haven't been able to take him to the chapel as of yet because I am not assigned as his guide. But I hope that, maybe in a few months from now, I will be appointed to him.
I've been praying for Royce, and I would love to see him receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. I believe this will come in time.
Now that I'm living in a cellblock that has a number of handicapped men, I can see for myself firsthand how they manage and survive. It really is an impressive sight to see these men, with their loss of eyesight, hearing or both, get around with determination and perseverance.
In my opinion, these humble men have a lot to teach healthy people like myself.
D.B.