Joe Kuster was an excellent athlete growing up in Illinois and dreamed of being a professional bowler.
That dream ended when he became totally blind at the age of 28.
Some 45 years later, the Cookeville resident will compete in bowling in the upcoming Upper Cumberland District Tennessee Senior Olympics.
Kuster is likely the lone competitor without vision, but he has his sights on recording some strikes and spares.
Kuster, 73, is one of an estimated 300 men and women competing in the 2026 games. Among the 20 events are bowling and chair volleyball, held Sept 1 and Sept. 3, respectively. Toeing the line will be one individual whose priorities and life are far different from those of his youth yet share a competitive fire.
Kuster, who was born legally blind and lost his sight following surgery to correct his vision, averaged 194 and was on track to pursue a professional career when his world suddenly went dark. Given his absence of sight, Kuster drastically amended his goal.
“I’d like to break 100,” Kuster said. “I still want to do well. It’s all for recreation and fun. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and belonging.”
Although legally blind, Kuster was adept at getting the ball to the right “place” in a number of sports. He played baseball and basketball, recalling how he blocked a player’s shot in gym class despite not being able to see well. As his vision deteriorated, Kuster graduated to a larger ball in sports.
That ultimately led him to bowling.
Kuster was 12 when he started bowling and said he was pretty good at it.
“I enjoyed the pressure of executing the necessary shots to succeed,” he said. “I didn’t have to depend on anyone else.”
Kuster continued to bowl and worked his way up to a 194 average. His high game was 279. He said he was on the verge of turning pro when his vision became worse; bowling exacerbated his glaucoma.
“I ran out of time,” Kuster said.
Surgery to correct the glaucoma didn’t go as planned. The idea of improved vision and a career as a professional bowler suddenly ended. Instead, Kuster had to adjust to being blind.
It wasn’t an easy transition but Kuster, relying on his competitive spirit, didn’t give up.
He went to a rehabilitative center for six months to learn how to perform daily tasks as a blind person. Kuster subsequently joined a support group for people with impaired vision.
He befriended a woman, Kim, who was legally blind. The two would eventually marry and headed up the support group for 26 years before moving to Cookeville and conducting a class for the visually challenged at the Cookeville Senior Center.
Julia LaForest, the center’s assistant director, said she learned that Kuster was on the verge of setting a record in visually challenged bowling when he lost his sight.
She found out about a blind bowling bar that helps a player with positioning and ordered it for the center. Kuster stepped up to the bar and showed he is still adept at knocking down the pins.
“Joe almost beat the other player in one game and scored a 90,” LaForest said. “His reaction reflected excitement, pride, acceptance and value. He is looking forward to next time.”
With the help of beepers and bells in balls, LaForest noted, Kuster shoots baskets, plays floor/table shuffleboard, and air hockey.
“Joe is the first to attempt anything,” she said. “It only takes a few tries for him to be successful. He loves to play chess.”
Kuster considered playing chair volleyball; he played volleyball in high school and would have been aided by a ball equipped with bells, giving new meaning to the “belle of the ball.”
He decided not to compete in the event.
“It’s too hard to know when the ball is coming at him,” LaForest said. “Bells aren’t enough.”
Living without his eyesight isn’t the only challenge Kuster’s faced in his life.
At the age of 14 months, he was sitting in his mother’s lap while riding in a car when a crash took place. His mother, not wearing a seatbelt, reflexively placed him on the floorboard at her feet before she was thrown through the windshield and died.
“God had his hand on me,” Kuster said. “I used to teach kids sports but through praying and contemplating following my last ditch surgery I felt God was telling me to help visually impaired adults. I want to show them you can still do things and be successful.”