Nineteen years ago, Kemma Paulk was fighting for her life as she battled a host of potentially lethal medical conditions. She beat the odds and not only survived, but made the most of every opportunity she encountered. Kemma is a cheerleader and, at 19 years old, is about to graduate from Coffee High School. She is a wonderful young lady with a heart of gold and an infectious personality who touches everyone she meets. Kemma’s journey has been anything but easy. However, it’s been very rewarding, and neither she nor her family would change a thing.
Kemma was born premature and was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome soon after birth. She also suffered from a heart condition that could have taken her life, as well as other problems associated with the complications surrounding her birth. Katoria Grady, Kemma’s mother, was single but in a relationship with Kemma’s father, who was in the Marine Corps, when she was born. Seven months later, Kemma’s father lost his life in a car accident. Katoria found herself raising a severely handicapped child all by herself. “It wasn’t easy,” Katoria says. “My parents have been wonderful. They have been with me from the beginning. Sometimes it was so hard that I didn’t know where to turn. But we always made it through.”
Kemma’s life hung in the balance for quite a while after she was born. She weathered each storm and survived – literally and figuratively – each medical challenge she faced. Katoria and her family were uneasy when Kemma was old enough to attend school. Marilyn Lott was one of Kemma’s first teachers. Katoria credits her with bringing out Kemma’s personality and molding her into the confident, outgoing young lady she is today. “Marilyn really brought out Kemma’s personality. She taught us to let go, to let Kemma do things on her own. Kemma was having a hard time learning to walk. Marilyn encouraged us to let her try. If she fell down, it was okay. Let her try, let her fall, help her up, and encourage her to keep going,” Katoria says.
Things weren’t easy for Kemma. She fell many times. But she always pulled herself up and continued fighting. As she grew, she became more independent. She had a tremendous disability, and she knew it. But Kemma refused to let her disability define who she was. When Kemma was 14 years old, doctors diagnosed her with diabetes, a common ailment that affects Down’s syndrome patients. “It was a setback for her, but even that didn’t keep her down very long,” Katoria says. “At one time, she was taking four insulin shots per day. She taught herself how to do the injections. She was giving herself four shots each day.” Now, Kemma and her family regulate her diabetes with her diet; she no longer takes insulin.
When Kemma reached high school, she attended Katy Johnson’s class. Kemma made an immediate and lasting impact on Katy. “When I first met her, she had such a strong personality. You were drawn to her and couldn’t help but love her. There’s something about her. She’s very special. Over last four years, she’s matured and grown into an amazing young woman. I’m glad I could be a part of her life. She blesses everyone she’s around. You can’t help but love every part of her,” Katy says.
One thing Kemma always wanted to do was cheer. All her life, she wanted to be a cheerleader. But because of her disabilities, no one really thought she would ever be able to cheer. “She was always talking about being a cheerleader when she was a freshman,” recalls Katy. Those around Kemma began thinking of a way to get her on the cheerleading squad, but they decided to wait a year. “We wanted her to get used to high school first,” Katy says. Kemma’s sophomore year, Katy talked to Tiffany Anderson, one of the cheerleading coaches. She also talked to Randy Garrett, athletic director, and they agreed to let her cheer. Kemma would cheer during basketball season and only at the home games. For two years, she cheered with the team, but didn’t have a uniform.
This year, her senior year, she was given a uniform. It was one of the happiest days of her life.
As important as that uniform was to Kemma, nobody – Kemma included – wanted her to be a charity case. Yes, her conditions complicated her ability to cheer. Yes, there were some things she couldn’t do. But there were also a lot of things she could do, and everyone focused on those. Kemma practiced with the team twice a week. She learned all of the cheers. She kept time with the rest of the team. And her personality – that outgoing, infectious, and warm personality – shined on the basketball court. Kemma is a natural performer and never once shied away from the spotlight that comes with cheering. “She didn’t get nervous. She wasn’t worried one bit. She loved every minute of being out there with the rest of the team,” Katoria says.
And the rest of the team loved her. Kemma is very popular, and other cheerleaders took her under their wing. They were very protective of her and made sure Kemma had what she needed to be successful. They knew Kemma took the sport seriously and gave it everything she had each time she stepped on the court. The other girls responded with love and encouragement. “They have been great with Kemma. We’ve never had any problems at all,” Katoria says.
Now that basketball season is over, Kemma is preparing for the next step of her journey – graduation. She is set to walk across the stage and receive her diploma in May. The last 19 years have been an incredible journey for Kemma and her family. The sick little girl born prematurely with a host of life-threatening conditions has achieved more than many able-bodied individuals. She is a cheerleader, about to be a high school graduate, and most of all, a survivor. “It hasn’t been easy. It’s been very difficult. But Kemma has been such a blessing to all of us. If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing about Kemma. I wouldn’t want to have her any other way than she is,” says Katoria proudly.
Column/South Georgia/April 2016
Kemma Paulk: Student, athlete, survivor
Robert Preston Jr.
