Terry Clayton
B.A., ’14, University of Kentucky
A quote from “The Giving Tree” says, “and she loved a little boy, very, very much — even more than she loved herself.” That sums up the inspiration behind the achievements of Terry Clayton, a former linebacker at UK. Clayton lost his hearing when he was just 5 years old from a severe bout of chickenpox, and he said what he missed the most was hearing his mother’s voice.
his sculpture, titled “Cherished,” placed on permanent display on the University of Kentucky campus outside the student disability services office. Clayton is the first deaf student at UK to have his artwork displayed in a permanent public setting. This abstract sculpture shows a mother with her baby, inspired by Clayton’s own interactions with his encouraging mother.
In spite of being deaf, Clayton went on to become a walk-on for five seasons at UK. He won the inaugural Rudy Award in 2008, which honors the college football player who demonstrates exemplary character, courage, contribution and commitment to his program, as exemplified by Notre Dame walk-on Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger.
He once asked his mother if she could imagine him attending UK. Her words of affirmation were that she could see him anywhere because she believed he could do anything.
In 2006, Clayton was the first African American to win the UK Carol S. Adelstein Outstanding Student Award presented annually to the student with a disability who best serves as an inspiration to the university community.
“[My mother] gave me unconditional
After graduating from UK, Clayton pursued a path in creative arts. In 2012, Clayton was honored by having
as much as my mother did me.”
love and protection as I was growing up. I would hope that any parent with a disabled child would cherish them
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