The Joy in Little Things
After facing a series of life-altering events, Coy Richmond comes to terms with aging and embracing life.
~ By Lauren Howe
Coy Richmond, a resident of Bowling Green, Ky., has always lived a life full of adventure and independence. In his younger years, Richmond was very active, enjoying backpacking, fishing, and kayaking whenever he was free. However, a few major setbacks altered his way of living to what it is today.
Watching a grainy video of Coy Richmond as a young man tells the story of a passion for fishing. The lake’s waves beat his soaked shoes; his red shorts revealing tan, athletic legs. And a smile reveals his satisfaction from the dangling fish on his line. Ever since the age of five, Richmond has been exploring the wilderness. Growing up in the back woods of Henderson County, Ky. on a little plot of land, 100 by 200 feet. With 15-acres of woods behind his family's house, he could always be found outside, always. Whether it was fishing, kayaking, or hiking, Richmond would seize the day by doing what he loved.
“When I crossed that fence, I was Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone,” Richmond said. “I would see a hill and I’d have to see what was over on the other side. Even if I didn’t have time to go past the crest of the hill, I had a desire to find out what was over there.”
As he grew older, Richmond's active lifestyle came to a pause as several health scares and diagnoses began to appear. In 2001, at 55, Richmond was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a moment that forced him to truly think about his life.
“It was the first time that I ever thought about mortality,” Richmond said. “Scared the crap out of me.”
Richmond underwent radiation and chemotherapy for roughly six months. This process ended up making him sick, but he eventually went into recession.
While survival rate of prostate cancer is quite high, often there is a level of depression that can be as high as 24 percent in recovering patients.
“You heard about people diagnosed with an illness all the time,” said Richmond, “but believe me, doesn’t hit home till it happens to you.”
“When I crossed that fence, I was Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone,” Richmond said. “I would see a hill and I’d have to see what was over on the other side. Even if I didn’t have time to go past the crest of the hill, I had a desire to find out what was over there.”
As he grew older, Richmond's active lifestyle came to a pause as several health scares and diagnoses began to appear. In 2001, at 55, Richmond was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a moment that forced him to truly think about his life.
“It was the first time that I ever thought about mortality,” Richmond said. “Scared the crap out of me.”
Richmond underwent radiation and chemotherapy for roughly six months. This process ended up making him sick, but he eventually went into recession.
While survival rate of prostate cancer is quite high, often there is a level of depression that can be as high as 24 percent in recovering patients.
“You heard about people diagnosed with an illness all the time,” said Richmond, “but believe me, doesn’t hit home till it happens to you.”
What is prostate cancer?
- It is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system.
- The prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
- This gland secretes fluid that mixes with semen, keeping sperm healthy for conception and pregnancy.
- It is the second most common type of cancer that affects males, with skin cancer being first.
~ Cleveland Clinic
The four main risk factors
Age
Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. About 60% of prostate cancers are found in men older than 65.
Race & Ethnicity
More common in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry. Occurs less often in Asian American, Hispanic, and Latino men than in non-Hispanic White men.
Family History
Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease. The risk is higher for men with several affected relatives, particularly if their relatives were young when the cancer was found.
Gene Changes
Variants or mutations of genes inherited from a parent can raise the risk of this cancer. Inherited variants of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can also increase prostate cancer risk in men
~ American Cancer Society
Symptoms of prostate cancer
Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms. These issues may occur as the disease progresses.
- Frequent Need to Urinate
- Weak Urine Flow
- Pain or Burning When Urinating
- Pain in Lower Back/Hip/Chest
- Loss of Bladder Control
- Loss of Bowel Control
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Blood in Semen/Urine
~ Cleveland Clinic
Coy makes a trip to Walmart in Bowling Green, Ky. Despite his accident, he continues to get his groceries here. “Since childhood, I never had any problems with my health. I could walk all day and back home when I had quail dogs, running dogs, my dogs, I would go out and hunt all day, you know? Take a pint of water and head for the woods and just be gone all day, hike for miles. That’s just the way it was."
Richmond credits his resilience to resuming his kayaking, hiking and riding his bike.
But bad luck was not finished with Coy Richmond. In May of 2019, he was walking into a Walmart when he was struck by a car in the middle of a crosswalk that left him severely injured. The accident ended up breaking both of his legs and forced him to attend long stays in rehab as well as physical therapy.
Five years later in February of 2024, now 77, Richmond was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Richmond discovered than his pancreas made little to no insulin, so he had to inject insulin every day to treat it effectively. Since he lives alone, he must check his blood sugar levels every morning and plan his day around his readings.
According to the Center for Disease Control high blood sugar is harmful to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. Although it's more common to be found in younger children than adults, it can still be found in people of any age.
“Had no idea I had it,” Richmond said. “I have to take insulin injections and check my blood sugar at least three times a day.”
But bad luck was not finished with Coy Richmond. In May of 2019, he was walking into a Walmart when he was struck by a car in the middle of a crosswalk that left him severely injured. The accident ended up breaking both of his legs and forced him to attend long stays in rehab as well as physical therapy.
Five years later in February of 2024, now 77, Richmond was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Richmond discovered than his pancreas made little to no insulin, so he had to inject insulin every day to treat it effectively. Since he lives alone, he must check his blood sugar levels every morning and plan his day around his readings.
According to the Center for Disease Control high blood sugar is harmful to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. Although it's more common to be found in younger children than adults, it can still be found in people of any age.
“Had no idea I had it,” Richmond said. “I have to take insulin injections and check my blood sugar at least three times a day.”
After checking his blood sugar, Coy sticks himself with insulin inside his home. He does this routine every morning followed by making himself breakfast.
What is diabetes?
- When your body can't produce insulin, your blood sugar can't get into cells and build up in the bloodstream.
- High blood sugar is harmful to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.
- Although it's more common to be found in younger children and adults, it can still be found in people of any age.
- About 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1.
The two types of diabetes
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2?
- Type 1The pancreas makes little to no insulin and can't be prevented, but it can be effectively treated.
- Type 2When your body can't use insulin properly and can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes.
~ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
At 78, Richmond lives alone in a small duplex. Now he finds joy in the little things, like being able to maintain his independence and keep his place well taken care of. His pace is slow, and his movements are deliberate- different from the care-free man in the fishing video, but his spirit remains well. Richmond reflects on his life as he shuffles through some old pictures.
Coy cleans leaves out from his gutters. He keeps himself busy by making a "to-do" list for the day. Some of the projects are big while some are smaller tasks that are easy to complete. ·“I stay out in the summertime as much as possible, doing what needs to be done. It just takes two or three times longer to do it. So, my days are filled up every day with chores. I’m out in the winter as much as possible, but the cold weather is more restricting."
“Keeping this place up, it just gets me out of the house,” Richmond said. “Cleaning out gutters and feeding my birds and cutting my grass, it just takes two or three times longer to do it.”
Though life has not been easy, Richmond has figured out ways to remain active, finding a purpose in every small thing he does as well as through his connection to nature.
Though life has not been easy, Richmond has figured out ways to remain active, finding a purpose in every small thing he does as well as through his connection to nature.
While there have been small victories and setbacks, moments of frustration, and reflection on what Richmond's life looks like after this kind of event, he is always able to find peace in the slow, simple life he leads now.
“I had to accept my disabilities and move on,” Richmond said. “I think it’s important that a person makes their life count for something. Don’t waste it.”
“I had to accept my disabilities and move on,” Richmond said. “I think it’s important that a person makes their life count for something. Don’t waste it.”
Coy Richmond, 78, at Shanty Hallow Lake in Warren County, Ky. on Dec. 1, 2024. “You heard about people diagnosed with an illness all the time, but believe me, doesn’t hit home till it happens to you.”