The Awakening of HK Derryberry

The Awakening of HK Derryberry:

My Unlikely Friendship with the Boy Who Remembers Everything

By Jim Bradford with Andy Hardin

Published in 2016 by W Publishing Group, An Imprint of Thomas Nelson

In his book The Awakening of HK Derryberry, Jim Bradford tells the true story of a boy who met a man, forming a strong, unexpected bond of friendship. The story begins with a thirst for coffee after an intense Saturday morning tennis match. Instead of going to his usual Starbucks for coffee, Jim Bradford ended up at Mrs. Winner’s Chicken and Biscuits, where he learned he qualified for the senior citizen’s discount! On preparing to leave, Mr. Bradford took a closer look at the young boy he had seen sitting in a booth, leaning forward and listening to his patched up radio. On questioning the young woman behind the counter, Mr. Bradford found out the young boy was blind and had cerebral palsy, and that he came to the restaurant every weekend and stayed during his grandmother, Pearl’s, nine hour shift. The boy’s name was HK, he was nine, and he was wearing a breakfast stained shirt, shorts (in October!), white tube socks, and white plastic leg braces. Continuing the abnormalities of the day, Jim approached HK and struck up a conversation, which began with HK asking questions such as what’s your name, where do you live, what time did you get up, what did you do, etc., and Mr. Bradford patiently answering those questions. When he left, Jim felt the boy had pickpocketed his heart. He knew he would be back for another visit.

Over the course of time, Jim made many Saturday visits to Mrs. Winner's Chicken and Biscuits, and each time he would visit with HK. Eventually, Pearl suggested that HK could leave Mrs. Winner's and visit with Jim for the day. They had grand adventures trying out steak burgers at Steak and Shake, learning about chocolate milkshakes, visiting the hardware store, and many more places. The bond they formed was strong. One day Jim took HK to meet his wife, Brenda. Once again the pickpocket struck, and Brenda's heart was stolen.

Jim and Brenda hatched a plan to begin taking HK to church with them. It would require HK to spend Saturday night at their home. It would also require a lot of preparation and adjusting, because of HK's multiple physical needs. But it was worth it. Soon HK was a regular at their church, and he began stealing other hearts, as well. He also began advancing beyond questioning people and actually holding conversations with them. During this time, they learned that HK had an amazing talent. One of the first questions he always asked a new acquaintance (after asking for their name) was when is your birthday. Once he learned the date, he surprised them by telling them on what day of the week they were born, something interesting that happened in history on their birthday, or what day of the week their next birthday would fall on. Eventually it was found that HK has an autobiographical memory, called Hyperthymesia, which allows him to remember everything that has ever happened to him.

HK, Jim and Brenda continued to share weekends, but soon HK and Jim began adding Thursday nights to their routine. One such Thursday night HK met a reporter who was working on another story. The story of HK and Jim so impressed her that she asked if she could tell their story. The article was eventually published, and H K became "famous."

 

Because of their unusual story, HK and Jim have spoken many times before large and small groups. They have set aside money for HK's care once his grandmother Pearl and Jim are no longer around. HK uses his story to encourage others. Never does he use it to complain about his lot in life.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of HK and Jim Bradford. The book is not long, only 216 pages. I found that it was a fast read, probably because I didn't want to put it down!  I recommend you read the book, it will be an encouragement to you. 

This book was provided to me by Handlebar Publishing in expectation of an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.