“I am no longer stuck…”

Kenny was born in a small southern New Jersey town, Glendora, in 1970, a time period when very little was known about his skin condition (ARCI-lamellar type ichthyosis), and even less known about its  treatment. His childhood, once depicted in a documentary entitled “Kenny”, was admittedly not ideal, as he not only was singled out for his skin condition, but was also the child of divorce at a very early age.

However, to his good fortune, Kenny was surrounded by the love of a supportive older brother, and a mother to whom he gives a world of credit for his upbringing.  “Raising a child with a rare condition that no one has ever heard of, virtually on her own, my mom never once let on that she was anything less than strong and confident,” he said. And, she taught him one of the most valuable lessons of all: Do not pity yourself. Respect yourself, and always present well.

And present well he does. Although Kenny admitted over the years he has experienced dark periods of frustration and low self-esteem, he now feels his life experience, including his ichthyosis, has brought him to a place of acceptance, with a good dose of wisdom.   He is a friendly, well-spoken gentleman, with a new perspective on life, and an enviable passion for his work.

“In a way, I am blessed to be around trauma,” Kenny proclaimed.

Although Kenny’s degree is in interior design, he feels compelled to help people on a deeper level. As the business supply coordinator for the trauma unit at Cooper University Hospital, he has ample opportunity to connect with people in a very deep and meaningful way.

“This woman came into the trauma unit because she had been in a car accident. She had Alzheimer’s and was very confused and agitated. I sat next to her and just rubbed her foot. She did not ask what happened to me (lifting his hands up to show that they are very affected), she just sat, looked me in the eyes, and listened. And then she started to calm down. She seemed to really be affected by what I was saying,” he said, further explaining why his job is so fulfilling.  “The other day a man in the trauma unit stopped me and said, ‘thank you so very much.’ For what?, I asked. ‘You asked me if I was ok and let me know you were here to help me and that made all the difference.’ It really made me feel good.”

Kenny credits his job as being a major influence for his newly found perspective. “There are so many parts of my job that make me feel good about being alive. And as my mom always said, “If you help one person in 44 years, you did your job.”

He has also come to terms with the notion that “everyone suffers” in one way or another. “I do still get frustrated, sometimes. Like when I want to wear black or be outside on hot day. But everyone struggles with something once in a while…finances, career, health issues. Everyone faces the fear of the unknown,” he said as he explained that this realization has left very little room to feel sorry for himself. “I am lucky that I have a strong family unit, a job I love, and amazing friends.”

With regard to how he now handles adverse reactions to his condition, Kenny adds, “I would rather have people acknowledge the “difference,” then just stare or ignore. But if they do stare, or make a face, I just have to pardon them. Life is too good to worry about it.”

When asked how his life would change if he suddenly did not have ichthyosis, Kenny joked, “Well, I’d never be out of a speedo!”  But then he added, “I am absolutely okay with who I am. I am not mad at who I am anymore, no longer stuck. I feel good about what I do and I want to continue to do that. I don’t want to stop. I think the man upstairs has it all mapped out for me. Whatever time I do have here, I want to make the best of it…ichthyosis or no ichthyosis.”

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Neither FIRST, its Board of Directors, Medical & Scientific Advisory Board, Board of Medical Editors, nor Foundation staff and officals endorse any treatments listed here.  All issues pertaining to the care of patients with ichthyosis should be discussed with a dermatologist experienced in the treatment of their skin disorder.