John Knox Village resident Christopher Carnrick, who grew up in Lubbock, Texas, was able to hear until the age of 10. Although he had always been an A+ student, his academic performance declined so aggressively, it led to his placement in special education classes.

It was then discovered he was profoundly deaf, a result of contracting measles. Driven by a desire to communicate and connect with others, Christopher began learning American Sign Language (ASL) at age 16, ultimately enabling him to work effectively with interpreters and fully engage in both social and professional life.

In 1986, while living in Seattle, Washington, Christopher decided to open a Mexican restaurant, “Speedy Gonzales,” as the city’s first restaurant catering to the hearing-impaired. The restaurant broke new ground by installing the city’s first direct TTY (teletypewriter) phone line, “524-TACO,” enabling deaf customers to order home-delivered food with unprecedented ease and independence. Speedy Gonzales became a vibrant hub for the deaf, fostering community, connection and setting a new standard of inclusiveness. The restaurant became so well-known, it was repeatedly covered in area newspapers.

Christopher’s advocacy and leadership continued to the point he was recruited by Washington Governor Mike Lowry, to serve as a Business Relations Consultant for 10 years. In this role, he drew upon his lived experiences and provided insight to support people with disabilities in securing meaningful employment opportunities, working to dismantle barriers and enhance workplace inclusion.

His career then continued in hospitality for three decades in Seattle, Salt Lake City, and finally in Spain, where he lived with his husband, Arthur.  There, they opened a supper club and wrote and published two cookbooks, Dinner for 6 at 8:00 and Kitchen Disasters, Solutions and Substitutions.

After his father’s death, they moved to Naples, Florida, to be close to Christopher’s mother. It was there they decided to find the right Life-Plan Retirement Community in which to retire. They looked at 12 communities throughout the state and determined over two years ago that John Knox Village in Pompano Beach would be their perfect home.

Upon requests from residents, Christopher began teaching a four-week basic American Sign Language series, instructing others how to sign simple phrases and sentences. As an ASL instructor, he brings a unique perspective on the practical approaches shaped by his journey. His teaching methods incorporate the strategies he developed while learning the language as a teenager.

According to residents, Christopher is “a natural-born leader. He quickly engages everyone to participate, and each lesson builds upon the previous one,” says Joe P.

Scooter H. says, “I loved his class. He was very informative, had good pacing, and was patient with everyone. He was so funny, we had a lot of laughs while learning.”

Rafael M. adds, “He gave us practical information that I actually had the opportunity to use with a person from the deaf community.”

And did we mention that Christopher also performs stand-up comedy? His list of talents never seems to end! He performed at the John Knox Village Resident Talent Show and recently headlined an evening at the Fort Lauderdale Improv Theater.

Christopher is just one of the many extraordinary residents who call John Knox Village home.

 

Carnrick at Fort Lauderdale Improv

 

Why John Knox Village?
For more than 50 years, John Knox Village has set the gold standard for all-inclusive, resort-style living that empowers older adults to live life to the fullest—at every stage of retirement. The community emphasizes whole-person wellness with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, world-class programming, delicious dining, and much more.

Residents enjoy peace of mind with unlimited access to on-campus healthcare professionals, 24/7 care, and comprehensive long-term care benefits. There are no time or financial limits on healthcare services, making JKV a smart, secure choice for the future.

Want to Learn More?
Come see what John Knox Village has to offer. 

We invite you to learn more and experience our breathtaking campus, astounding amenities, the exceptional team, and our remarkable residents who are all part of what makes JKV extraordinary. Contact us today to schedule a personal tour or have a no-pressure conversation with one of our Life-Plan Consultants.