Union University hosted The Power of Friendship event supporting the Union EDGE program on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center.
Celebrating the importance of friendship in the lives of kids with disabilities, the event featured speakers HK Derryberry with Jim Bradford, who authored the book The Awakening of HK Derryberry. Union EDGE students and their mentors gathered together to hear their story and to enjoy their own friendships with a special dinner.
After everyone made their way to their tables with taco bowls and burritos, the program began with an introduction by Michelle Atkins, interim dean of the School of Education, followed by an opening prayer by second-year EDGE student, Katie More. Jennifer Graves, Union EDGE program director, spoke promoting the Union Endowment Fund and the Royal Ball and celebrated the accomplishments of the EDGE students.
Derryberry and Bradford took the stage after being introduced by Nancy Cherry, acting asscoiate dean and chair of the School of Education. Derryberry kept the audience in stitches as they laughed at his jokes about his drive to Union and what it would be like if he tried out for football or Driver’s Ed. Derryberry wasn’t there to just make the audience laugh, however. He came with a very clear message: Always have a positive attitude.
“I never give up,” Derryberry said. “I like to soar like an eagle chasing a Union Bulldog.”
His joke made the audience laugh, but it was part of his uplifting message of perseverance to Union EDGE students. Derryberry, who is blind with cerebral palsy, told of how he beat the odds time and time again through his spirit of persistence.
Bradford explained how his friendship with Derryberry began with a visit to a Mrs. Winner’s Chicken & Biscuits.
“I was touched emotionally like I had never been touched before in my life,” Bradford said.
After their initial meeting, Bradford described how he kept going back to the Mrs. Winner’s to talk with Derryberry, sparking their friendship.
Graves spoke about her passion for providing disabled kids with the opportunity to be treated like friends and how their EDGE mentors provide that crucial relationship.
“That’s the whole thing I want to get out to people,” Graves said. “One person can change the life of another.
