4 min readWHEN HE WAS a kid, doctors told Ronnie McKenzie that when he grew up, parenthood would be out of reach. Now, McKenzie, 32, is the dad of two girls, ages 10 and 5.
You might know McKenzie better as King Ron, 32, a social media phenom with more than 2 million collective followers. On his platforms, McKenzie shares what it’s like to live with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that results in hearing loss, vision loss, and balance abnormalities.
Having kids now is “one of the best feelings because I’m living proof they were wrong,” McKenzie says. “People assumed I couldn’t raise children because of my disability, but my daughters know they’re loved, protected, and supported every day. Disability has never stopped me from being a father.”
McKenzie shared with Men's Health what it's like to be a dad who's different—and how he's found his voice in the fatherhood conversation online.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
When did you become a dad?
I became a girl dad at 22 years old. Honestly, I was still a kid myself. I was hooping, playing 2K, and hanging with my friends. Becoming a father changed my life and gave me a purpose bigger than myself.
I’m a Black deaf blind Dad, content creator, and advocate for accessibility. I wear a cochlear implant and a hearing aid to help me hear, but I know not everyone has access to that. That’s why I use my platform to speak up for deaf, blind, autistic, and nonverbal kids and adults. We shouldn’t be left out just because we communicate differently.
What is the easiest and hardest part of parenting?
The easiest part is loving them, encouraging them, and being present. Disabilities don’t stop me from being a caring father. I enjoy playing with them, making them laugh, teaching them kindness, and watching them grow into confident young girls.
The hardest part is missing things that hearing or sighted parents might notice right away. If they call my name from another room, I may not hear them. If my cochlear implant is off while I’m sleeping, showering, or swimming, I’m completely deaf. As my vision continues to change because of Usher syndrome, I have to adapt constantly.
Safety is something I think about every day, and I rely on routines, technology, and problem solving to make sure my daughters are safe and supported.
I want my daughters to grow up kind, confident, and compassionate. I want them to know everyone deserves respect, no matter how they communicate or what challenges they face. I want them to chase every dream without letting fear stop them.
Do you feel other parents treat you differently?
Sometimes they do. Some people assume I need help before they even know me. Others are surprised when they see me doing regular dad things. I just want people to understand that disabled parents are parents first.
Disabled parents deserve the same support every other parent receives. We need more accessible parenting classes, family support groups, adaptive parenting equipment, better communication access, and more representation in hospitals, schools, and community programs.
Growing up, I rarely saw disabled fathers in the media. It can make you question whether certain dreams are even possible. That’s one reason I create content now. I want young disabled people to see themselves in someone who’s thriving.
Why did you start doing social media?
I started creating content because I wanted people to see what life as a deaf blind father really looks like. I wanted to educate people while also making them laugh and think. Having 1.1 million followers is an incredible blessing, but the number isn’t what matters most. What matters is knowing that my videos help people feel seen, understood, and inspired.
What was it like for you growing up?
It wasn’t easy. I dealt with people underestimating me because of my race and my disability. There weren’t many people who looked like me or lived like me, so I often felt alone. I had to learn how to believe in myself before other people believed in me.
When people constantly tell you what you can’t do, it’s easy to start believing them. Over time I learned that my disability doesn’t define my worth. My confidence comes from knowing who I am.
What’s your greatest challenge now?
I think society often connects masculinity to physical ability, and that’s unfair. Being a man isn’t about having a perfect body. It’s about your character, how you treat people, and how you show up for your family.
People assume we’re dependent, incapable, or that someone else is doing all the parenting. That’s simply not true. Disabled dads change diapers, cook meals, comfort their kids, teach life lessons, and love just as deeply as any other father.
My disability isn’t always the biggest obstacle. Society often is. When people don’t consider accessibility or include disabled people in conversations, opportunities, and spaces, that’s what creates barriers.
We don’t have to prove our worth by fitting into outdated ideas of what a man should be. Every time a disabled man lives confidently, loves his family, asks for help when needed, and refuses to hide his disability, he’s helping redefine masculinity for the next generation.
Aisha Malik is a freelance writer who loves romance novels and the outdoors; she has written for PopSugar, Refinery29, Prism Reports, OffbeatResearch, and more.
