Book Review: The Awakening of HK Derryberry by Jim Bradford

The Awakening of HK Derryberry by Jim Bradford is a book about a little boy named HK who is blind and has cerebral palsy. His grandmother, Pearl, is raising him on her own after an unfortunate tragedy took the life of his mother. With no one to help care for him, Pearl is forced to bring him to work with her a few days a week. He sits in the diner, hunched over a radio listening to preachers. Most people never do more than glance in his direction. His life is forever changed when Jim Bradford, an older man with a seemingly perfect life, comes into Mrs. Winner’s diner for coffee.

These two strike up an unlikely friendship, filled with laughter, love, and countless adventures. HK doesn’t see himself as handicapped; he does things his way. Unlike most people, HK makes even the simplest moments extraordinary.

His zest for life and positive attitude are infectious. Young and old are infatuated by his ability to remember things - even the smallest details of things that happened years ago, yet it quickly turns as he weaves his way into their hearts.

As HK said, “I remember the negative things, but I don’t dwell on them because they are just history. I think about all the good stuff.”

The description of the book immediately caught my eye. As someone with cerebral palsy, I could relate to some of his struggles. This book was intriguing and inspiring on so many levels. If my life could have a fraction of the impact that HK has had on those around him, I will be happy.

I was also struck by the number of people who rally around Pearl, Mr. Bradford, and HK to support him in every way possible. From teachers who are doggedly determined to help him reach his full academic potential, to store owners, coaches, and celebrities, they all make HK’s life special. It is truly a story of finding joy in the journey and proof that life’s greatest blessings come when you give yourself away to others.

I would recommend this book to everyone without hesitation. It is one of the best books I’ve read in long, long time!

** This book was provided to me by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Wow Moment

A couple of months ago, I went on an adventure. I wasn't expecting to, but I am so glad I did.

Someone told my mom about Duke's Creek Falls. I knew from researching it that it was a short hike. We were told it had a wide path that would easily accommodate my wheelchair.

Mama and I started off toward the trail. It was paved. Then, as the paved part ended, I heard Mama say, "There's steps." Sure enough, there were steps. Mama told someone on the trail that I wouldn't be able to do it.

A man asked, "Do you want to go on down? I can get Corey to carry her." The man (Michael's dad) and his family started yelling, "COREY! COREY!" He had already run ahead of them.

A few minutes passed. Corey came back to the beginning of the trail. Michael's dad told him that I wanted to go on down.

"Do you think I could walk the steps, Mama?" I asked.

"Let me count them and see. If it's a lot you won't be able to do it." It was about eight steps and then another set farther down. As Corey and my mom counted the steps, Mama told him that I had never seen a waterfall up close. I've never got to go on the trail with Mama because most trails aren't wheelchair accessible. He said, "Well, today's her day!"

Corey and Micheal picked up my wheelchair. We went down front ways, which usually makes me nervous because I feel like I am going to fall forward.

Both boys were steady as a rock. "They know what there doing!" Normally, people are shaky when picking up my wheelchair. For the first time ever, I didn't feel like I was going to fall forward. Believe it or not, I was smiling!

Mama said, "I need you boys in my back pocket!"

We continued on in our quest. Michael's dad acted as a spotter each time, and when we would reach the bottom, I would breathe a small sigh of relief.

Corey said, "I wanted a workout today!"

"Well, you've got one!"

"Good!"

About midway through, we started seeing more people on the trail. Questions like, "How did you get down here" and looks of surprise started coming.

I took great pleasure in telling them, "I had some help from some friends."

One lady wasn't so nice. "There are rocks and roots toward the bottom of the trail. She can't make it down there."

Maggie, the daughter, said, "No, she can do anything!"

I didn't quite hear all of the conversation, so I asked her what the lady said. When she told me, my response was "Yeah, I can!"

The last set of steps were the steepest and the most we'd done. They decided to take me down backwards.

Everyone was getting tired. Part of me thought, "Do we need to stop and pray first?"

Before we started down, I took a deep breath. Mama said, "Don't look down." I didn't plan on it.

With each step, I just silently prayed that neither boys would lose their footing.

After we mastered all of the steps, Corey, Michael, his dad and the rest of the group went on ahead to go to the waterfall.

I knew it was a lot to help me and it takes me longer to do things, so I told them we would catch up.

While walking the trail, I got a chance to talk with Diane, who was a special education teacher and one of the nicest people ever.

She said, "We weren't even coming here today. We were looking for another waterfall. We normally go the beach this time of year, but we didn't.

She also told me that Corey and Michael have a friend who is in a wheelchair. They regularly take him to do things, even waterfalls. So that explained it! No wonder they were so steady and knew what to do!

I can't forget about the little things Corey and Michael did. There was a rock in the way. Mama told me to watch out for it while pushing myself. Without missing a beat, Corey picked it up and tossed it out of the way.

Mama was concerned my arms were getting tired from pushing so much, so she offered to do it for awhile. I said, "Don't get me too close to the edge." Michael's dad said, "We've got you this far. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

After maneuvering over roots and going up and over when Mama said to, Michael's dad said, "Corey, why don't y'all just pick her up?" So Corey and Michael each grabbed one side of the wheelchair and lifted me up over the roots.

Mama said, "You're like the Queen of Sheba!
I laughed and said, "I know!"

While I was in mid-air, I heard a dog bark. Corey was closest to it. As we got closer, I thought the dog might bite him. He said, "If it would have tried that, I would've kicked it off the side of the mountain!"

Michael's dad said Corey wanted to know if I was okay with him carrying me on the way back up. "Sure, I'm fine with that!"

I knew I would be much lighter, so it wouldn't be as much of a struggle for him.

He picked me up and off we went. He went up the stairs much quicker than I thought. I tried to tell Mama and the others that he said we were going to go on, but they couldn't hear me. I looked back over his shoulder and smiled at Mama. We had beat everyone else!

Corey stopped to make sure Michael was okay. About that time, I saw Michael sling my wheelchair over his back like it was nothing.

Everything about that day was a WOW moment. These people didn't have to take time out of their day to help me. They did not even know me! I have thought back over that day several times since then, and  I can't do anything but smile. Those memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

Seeing the waterfall was great, but it was more about the experience. Corey, Michael, Diane and family made this possible. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Thank you for being WILLING to help me. I honor you.

A Letter to my College Self

Dear Madison,

You are embarking on one of the greatest times of your life. Many will try to discourage you from attending a small college. They say you have many more options, and it’s true. There are many colleges to choose from, but you have to do what’s right for you.

You will form lasting friendships over your love of writing. You will push through many days of physical pain, proving to yourself and others that NOTHING is impossible if you just try.

Even though you want to finish your degree program in four years, it will take a little longer. But remember, preparation time is never wasted time. This last year will prepare you for your career in ways you never imagined. You will be stretched by creative assignments, even amazing yourself at the work you’ve produced.

Don’t worry about the financial aspect of college. It will all be taken care of. You studied and applied yourself throughout high school and it paid off. Scholarships with your name on them will come rolling in on Awards Day at your high school. Even for students with loans, there are several companies like Earnest that offer student loan refinancing help.

You are at college to learn, but don’t forget to have fun. Take time to go to events on campus. Watch a play. Go to a book signing. Do things you wouldn’t normally do. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself.

One of the biggest blessings in my college experience was my internships. I learned so much about life and how the things we do really matter when the magazine got shut down for copyright issues. It was a mistake that could have been easily corrected by the editor.

An online internship with an independently owned publishing company in New York led me to a lifelong friendship that I will forever cherish. Sure, I learned about editing manuscripts – and how much I didn’t know – creating ebooks and how to publish a book on Kindle, but I learned how to apply what I’d studied for years in college. It was so neat to actually USE my communication skills to make a difference!