Four Days With Kenny Tedford: Life Through the Eyes of a Child Trapped in a Partially Blind & Deaf Man’s Body

by Paul Smith

Kenny Tedford is one of only two deaf people in the world with a master's degree in storytelling, which he earned at 55, almost half a century after being told by teachers and psychologists that he would never complete the third grade. Oxygen deprivation in utero resulted in Kenny being born deaf, partial blindness, partial paralysis on his left side, and an inability to speak clearly until the age of 10. Kenny also suffers cognitive impairment, similar to the fictional character Forrest Gump, which gives him the same child-like innocence and leads to the same sort of hilarious misunderstandings and malaprops that made Gump both lovable and entertaining. Kenny's life could easily have been nothing but a depressingly sullen tale of victimhood. Instead, it turned out to be one filled with a unique combination of joy, humor, friendship, heartbreak, accomplishment, faith, and peace.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2019

About the author

PAUL SMITH is director of Consumer & Communications Research at The Procter & Gamble Company and a highly rated leadership and communications trainer for P&G’s management training colleges. He is the author of Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince, and Inspire.

Reviews

[Allison Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenny is an inspirational man who leads me to want to live every day to the fullest. One of the first books I've started and haven't been able to put down.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and heartwarming book. I could not put it down! Wish I could see Kenny speak and tell his stories in person - he is truly remarkable

[Heather Slighter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved hearing Kenny Tedford tell a story. When I heard a book was being published on his life, I couldn't wait to get it! Spoiler: I will admit I didn't care for Paul's commentary at the beginning of the book and periodically throughout the book. As an interpreter for the Deaf, some of Paul's comments were unnecessary and rude. I was also in attendance at a book signing and Paul's behavior seemed rushed and bothered by deaf community members comments. I am going to allow myself to believe that it is because he (P.S.) truly doesn't understand deaf people or deaf culture. I met Kenny years ago in Nashville and wanted to learn more about HIM so I pushed aside Paul's attitude and decided to focus solely on Kenny's story. (On a positive note: Paul's commentary at the end of the book was insightful and inspirational. That helped soothe many of my emotions regarding his earlier comments.) As the book progressed and I read more about Kenny's life, I became enamored with this book and couldn't put it down. Kenny is a master storyteller. He is a package deal!! Not only is his storytelling full of his adventure, it is told with a "spoonful" of deaf culture- which is what led me to this book in the first place. His perspective on life, I don't see as writ with cognitive delay's, it is told from a deaf person's perspective and in my opinion full of rich cultural insights. (Deaf culture) Which is why I HIGHLY recommend this book. Kenny Tedford Jr is a storytelling CHAMP!! His life was wrought with tragedy but in true Kenny style, he shows us how to be happy with what you DO have instead of what you DON'T! I L Y!

[Deborah Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 inspirational days with Kenny Telford

This story had the elements that I look for-Struggles overcome and Lessons be learned without being preachy. Kenny Tedford had physical, mental and emotional disabilities to overcome. And he did them his own way, at his own pace. He learn d valuable lessons and also found his faith to help him become the person he wanted and knew he could become.
I laughed;I cried; I loved this book.

[Kif Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect when I first began reading, but I was impressed by Paul Smith layering his own thoughts within Kenny Tedford’s stories. The stories were heartbreaking, hilarious, and sometimes so absurd, they have to be true. A pleasantly surprising read!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and heartwarming

Kenny's story is told masterfully in his own voice through a little extra help. It is a glance into a life different from your own, but oh so relatable. You will laugh and cry your way through it and be a better person before you are done.