Life is all about how you face the curve balls thrown your way: You can either stand there idly — or swing away.
Gene Rogers does the latter.
Rogers, who is legally blind, has nevertheless continued to bring light to others. He maintains his tradition of brightening everyone’s morning by taking the bus five days a week to the St. Mary Medical Center to provide his skills on the piano to both staff and patients.
Debbie Acevedo, Director of the Low Vision Center at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center listens as Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lolita Johnson listens as Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sister Celeste Trahan, Vice President of Mission Integration, presents Gene Rogers, 76, with a recognition at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play the piano at the hospital. April 7-13 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gene Rogers, 76, plays the piano in the lobby of Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Rogers is legally blind and takes the bus five days a week to play at the hospital. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rogers, a 76-year-old Long Beach resident, has spent nearly 40 years volunteering at St. Mary Medical Center. In honor of National Volunteer Week and in recognition of the contributions he has provided to the center, Rogers this week received the Humankindness Certificate of Appreciation from hospital leaders.
Rogers began visiting the medical center’s Low Vision Center in 1981 after experiencing vision impairment. Through the center, he received the resources and support to adjust to living with low vision.
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