Skip to main content

User account menu

  • Log in
  • Rss
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Shopping cart 0
Cart

Search

Search
Home The Yazoo Herald

Domain menu for Yazoo Herald (mobile)

  • Post
    • Leaderboard
    • Post Dashboard
    • Payment Settings
  • Home
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Monthly Website Statistics
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Submit News
  • Most Read
  • Most Recent
  • More News
    • Cartoons
    • Crime
    • Documents
    • Politics
    • Public Notices
    • Lifestyles
    • Videos
  • Sports
  • E-Editions
  • Social
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Columns
    • Comments
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Polls
  • Calendar
  • State
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
    • Website Rates
    • Legal Notices
    • Newspaper Rates
    • Place a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Post
    • Leaderboard
    • Post Dashboard
    • Payment Settings
  • Home
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Monthly Website Statistics
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Submit News
  • Most Read
    • Most Read This Week
    • Most Read This Month
    • Most Read This Year
    • Most Read All Time
  • Most Recent
  • More News
    • Cartoons
    • Crime
    • Documents
    • Politics
    • Public Notices
    • Lifestyles
    • Videos
  • Sports
  • E-Editions
    • Archives
  • Social
    • Anniversaries/Births
    • Engagements/Weddings
    • Schools
    • Submit an Anniversary
    • Submit a Birth
    • Submit an Engagement
    • Submit School News
    • Submit Wedding
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Columns
    • Comments
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Polls
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • State
  • Advertising
    • Website Rates
    • Legal Notices
    • Newspaper Rates
    • Place a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary

It all started with a little push from Momma

By Jamie Patterson , READ MORE > 2,205 Reads
On Wed, 02/06/2019 - 08:45 AM

His name was Kenneth. He was supposed to be in a special education class. It was said he would never walk. He was told his speech would prevent him from participating in class. Doctors said his crooked spine would keep him from playing with other children.

But those doctors obviously didn’t know Kenneth’s mother.

It was the beginning of the school year, and I was in third grade. That was the day I met Kenneth for the first time.

As I jumped off my school bus and tugged at my book bag, eager to get to class and catch up with my old friends, I noticed a red van in the drop-off line. There was a woman who had the prettiest (at least I thought) brown, curly hair that fell to about the middle of her back. She was a Momma, I could tell. She had that look about her. She was rushing to the passenger side of the van with a book bag hanging off her shoulder.

As the door slid open, my friends and I saw Kenneth for the first time. His Momma helped him out of the van and straightened his shirt out over his chest. I admit, the first time, I noticed Kenneth’s chest almost looked like he had football gear on or something.

But that is not what got my attention. As his Momma fixed his shirt, my eyes went down to his legs. He had two braces on them.

“I wonder what happened to that kid,” my friend Jeremy asked, as we walked up the sidewalk.

“I dunno,” I replied, picking up my pace so that they wouldn’t notice me staring.

Afterwards, I found my homeroom filled with a few new faces. But those familiar grins from my old buddies were there to greet me. We already had our names taped on our assigned desks, but the shenanigans were already in full force. A spitball had already found its way to the chalk board, and a Whoppie Cushion was already confiscated by our teacher Mrs. Collins.

Our laughter ended when we saw Kenneth come in the classroom. He had on that red shirt with the slight bulge. His braces made a weird noise as he slid his feet across the floor. He was nervous, you could tell.

But his Momma walked beside him grinning from ear to ear at all of us kids. She was the happiest looking person I had ever seen before.

“Look at all your new classmates,” she said, still holding Kenneth’s book bag. “I bet everyone is excited to be back?”

We all either shrugged or shook our heads. But I smiled back at her because she seemed like a nice lady.

For a few moments, Kenneth’s Momma and Mrs. Collins talked in the corner of the classroom. Kenneth made his way around the room until he found his desk. I noticed when he sat down, something hard hit the back to the desk chair.

Hoping not to embarrass him, Kenneth’s Momma waved good bye to him and told us kids to have fun.

It was later explained to us that Kenneth had some sort of muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. He walked using braces, and that bulge we kept noticing was a brace. He sometimes had a hard time talking, but after waiting a few minutes he always seemed to get his point across.

He was my classmate until I moved away several years later. He couldn’t run with us during Red Rover. He couldn’t bend his back over the monkey bars and dangle. And he never got that solo in the Christmas musical.

But he was funny, poking fun at himself a lot of the times. He was smart, made straight As all year. He was the best project partner you could ask for. He traded the best snacks at lunch. And his Momma was the best “party Mom” we had ever seen.

He was happy. He didn’t let his disability get him down. He was never excluded from us. And he cheered you up when you were down.

And his Momma made him that way. Kenneth’s Momma refused to send him to a special school. She refused to let him feel sorry for himself. She joked with him. She would load us all us and take us to the zoo. She threw the best birthday party for him at the agricultural museum.

She showed Kenneth just how happy and awesome life can be despite the struggles that may come daily.

Kenneth certainly was “special,” but not special needs. He was a genuine happy person who reminded us kids to laugh more and don’t sweat the small stuff.

And it all started getting out of the van that day…with a little push from Momma.

‹ PreviousNext ›

News

Shots fired into 18-wheeler on I-55 Friday

Investigators believe road rage was the cause of an incident where shots were fired into the cab of… READ MORE

Chance of snowfall increases
Time to file for Homestead Exemption
Thomas said city board needs to use its strength in the new year
New fire truck arrives for Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department
State superintendent recommends waiving of passing requirements for statewide tests

Sports

Lanie Potter scores 21 points to lead Lady Mavericks to victory

Manchester Academy senior center Lanie Potter was recognized before tip-off of this past Friday’s… READ MORE

Dendy and Poe power Mavericks past Raiders
Slideshow: Benton Academy boys vs. Greenville Christian
Slideshow: Benton Academy Girls vs. Greenville Christian
Indians return from layoff with a 20-point victory
Lady Indians drop district opener at Gentry

Sign Up for Notifications of Local Breaking News

Start E-mail NotificationsStop E-mail NotificationsStart Mobile NotificationsStop Mobile Notifications

E Edition Button NEW

Obituaries

Carl McDaniel

Carl M. McDaniel, ,91, of Benton passed away Thursday January 14, 2021 at his residence. Carl was a… READ MORE

Dennis Burrell
Annie McMaster
Jerry Burton
Bill Smith
Frances McBride

Most Recent

Carl McDaniel

Carl M. McDaniel, ,91, of Benton passed away Thursday January 14, 2021 at his residence. Carl was a… READ MORE

Shots fired into 18-wheeler on I-55 Friday
Dennis Burrell
Wicker Hails $2.377 Million Award for UMMC Connected Care Pilot Program
Health department clarifies vaccine supply, new appointments available Jan. 25
Health department clarifies vaccine supply, new appointments available Jan. 25

Most Read News Article

  • Week
  • Month
  • Year
  • All Time

OPINION: Attack on capitol fueled by Internet conspiracy theories

OPINION: Hopes for a much calmer 2021 compared to 2020 were quickly dampened by the horrific attack… READ MORE

Shots fired into 18-wheeler on I-55 Friday
‘We will be prepared’: Mississippi officials discuss Capitol security ahead of possible armed protests
In women’s hoops, we suddenly have a real Mississippi rivalry
Biewer Lumber opening new sawmill in Winona, creating 150 jobs
Wicker: Big Tech Has Crossed a Red Line

Indianola Doctor Who Suffered Effects of COVID Among the First to Get Vaccine at Clinic

When Dr. Eddie Donahoe heard that a COVID-19 vaccine was on the way and had the potential to be… READ MORE

Judge William Henry Barbour Jr.
HOSEMANN: Our 2021 Goal: Investing in Mississippi’s Greatest Asset, Our Citizens
Winter Storm expected
Governor Tate Reeves Makes Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine
Hosemann wants to delay 2021 session as COVID-19 spikes. House leaders remain hesitant.

Governor Reeves explains "Safer at Home" policy

On his Facebook post, Gov. Tate Reeves explained that Mississippians are now "encouraged" but not "… READ MORE

19-year-old charged with capital murder
James Edwin Taylor
In this family girls don't pay
Holding on to him for as long as I can
Yazoo woman charged with the murder of Darius Woods

Riding After a Dream

It all began when she was a little girl riding a stick horse. Her love of horses has provided a… READ MORE

Doris W. Neely
JA and Ricks Library host reading program
Patterson is new Rotary Club president
Jenkins marching to college with a band scholarship
Judith Ann "Judy" Casner Ferrell

Opinion

Editorial: We need more men like William Barbour

Judge William Barbour Jr. was a man whose actions spoke louder than his words.

Freedom to speak and freedom to listen
What's new Yazoo?
I learned a lot from Diane Makamson
Too many conspiracy theories
Our 2021 Goal: Investing in Mississippi’s Greatest Asset, Our Citizens

Weddings and Engagements

Lifestyles

From the Kitchen: Book brings back memories of my own father-in-law

One

Rare snow day in Yazoo
Let it Snow!
Building bridges made of loving memories
Yazoo Lodge #42 donates to Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital
Annual MLK event set for Jan. 18, adjustments made for COVID-19

Social

Copyright 2020 • The Yazoo Herald • 1035 Grand Ave. • Yazoo City, MS 39194 • (662)-746-4911.

Emmerich Newspapers proudly serve the following Mississippi communities:

Click on the city name to visit its website.

ACKERMAN • CARROLLTON • CHARLESTON • CLARKSDALE • COLUMBIA • EUPORA • FOREST • GREENVILLE • GREENWOOD • GRENADA • HATTIESBURG • JACKSON • KOSCIUSKO • INDIANOLA • LOUISVILLE • MAGEE • MENDENHALL • McCOMB • NEWTON • PETAL • QUITMAN • SENATOBIA • WINONA • YAZOO CITY

As well as: DUMAS, Ark. • TALLULAH, La • FRANKLINTON, La.

For more information on how to extend your advertising message to these communities, click here.