The Awakening of HK Derryberry, Jim Bradford
The Awakening of HK Derryberry, Jim Bradford
6 Rating(s)
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The Awakening of HK Derryberry
My Unlikely Friendship with the Boy Who Remembers Everything

Author: Jim Bradford, Andy Hardin, Jim Bradford

Narrator: Milton Bagby

Unabridged: 5 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 09/13/2016


Synopsis

2017 Audie Winner: Inspirational/Faith-Based Non-Fiction Audiobook and Earphones Award from Audiofile MagazineThe Awakening of HK Derryberry is the inspiring story of the amazing relationship between a successful business executive and a young, disabled boy with a dismal future. Little did Jim Bradford know the transformational potential of that friendship—for HK and himself.HK Derryberry came into the world with the odds stacked heavily against him. He was taken from his unmarried mother’s womb three months prematurely when she was killed in a car wreck. After ninety-six days of seesawing between life and death, HK’s grandmother took him home.One Saturday morning, Jim Bradford, a successful businessman in his mid-fifties, walked into Mrs. Winner’s Chicken and Biscuits and saw a nine-year-old’s head pressed against a broken plastic boom box with a crooked antenna. He couldn’t help but notice the long, white plastic braces on each of the child’s legs. Mr. Bradford learned that HK’s grandmother had been forced to bring him to the fast-food restaurant where she worked, leaving him to sit alone all day at a small table with only his boom box for company. Every Saturday Jim felt drawn back to the restaurant to meet with HK and began spending every weekend with him.Eventually it became apparent that buried beneath HK’s severe disabilities was a spectacular ability. He was diagnosed with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), which enabled him to remember everything that happened to him since the age of three. Less than one hundred people have been diagnosed with HSAM, but none of them have the physical disabilities of HK Derryberry.In this moving true story, you will:Explore Jim and HK’s enduring sixteen-year friendship and the discovery of HK’s remarkable gift of memoryBe inspired to look deeper into the way you see othersSee how God works in the lives of His children, despite their circumstancesThis incredible story shines a light on the struggles and the courage people with physical, emotional, and mental limitations have. Be prepared to see how God works through it all to bring joy into the lives of those who trust Him.

About Jim Bradford

Prior to retirement in 2015, Jim Bradford enjoyed a successful sales and marketing career in the apparel/textile industry.  For the past eighteen years Jim has been best friend and mentor to HK Derryberry, the subject of his book “The Awakening of HK Derryberry.” Today, HK and Jim share their inspiring message “Anything In Life Is Possible” with audiences nationwide.  The story of their unlikely friendship was featured nationally in USA Today in 2016 and an “Inspiring America” segment of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt in 2017.  Jim and his wife, Brenda, reside in Brentwood, Tennessee.  They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

About Andy Hardin

Andy Hardin has known Jim Bradford over twenty-five years through church and was part of his Saturday morning tennis group when Jim first met HK. Jim introduced Andy to HK early in their friendship, and he closely followed their adventures throughout the years. After reading Jim’s treasured tales of HK’s many anecdotes, Andy offered his help to further develop the story. Andy is a retired attorney living in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Connie.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Joan on September 28, 2017

In the fall of 1999, middle aged Bradford noticed a special needs boy sitting at the restaurant table by himself. HK, nine years old, would sit there for hours while his grandmother worked at the restaurant cash register. Bradford stopped to talk to the boy and became the victim of the biggest thief......more

Goodreads review by Vera on September 27, 2017

This short non-fiction book recounts the story of a severely handicapped boy and a retired gentleman who met perchance because of the gentleman's desire for a cup of coffee. Seeing the boy seated all alone and obviously with multiple disabilities Mr. Bradford asked about him. Learning his story he s......more

Goodreads review by Holly on May 26, 2018

I very much enjoyed this book. My only disappointment was that about half way through it seemed to become repetitive of experiences that did not necessarily add to the depth of the story. I would much rather have heard much more of the internal reasons for hope and joy that they speak to audiences a......more

Goodreads review by Wendy on January 10, 2017

The Awakening of H.K. Derryberry is really a book about the amazing relationship that developed between a man and a little boy he met one day, never suspecting this child would change his entire outlook on life. Beginning with the unusual pull that brought their two worlds together, the story reveal......more

Goodreads review by Steven on September 26, 2017

Author: Jim Bradford with Andy Hardin Title: The Awakening of HK Derryberry: My Unlikely Friendship with the Boy Who Remembers Everything Publisher: W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson Year of Publication: 2016 Sometimes your routine can be anything but routine. The slightest deviation can i......more