LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky teacher is currently battling stage 4 rectal cancer. But during his journey, he’s inspired young students to live a kinder life.
Louisville teacher Robert Hammond said his lungs can barely keep up as cancer spreads. Most recently, a music therapist helped record his voice reading his daughter Genevieve's favorite bedtime books.
“He recorded me reading them that way she could have them like audio for those nights when I couldn't read and there are plenty of nights when I haven't been able to that,” Hammond said. “We have the book in front of us and we flip the pages but it’s just playing from my phone.”
It all started with digestive issues that surfaced in July 2020.
“I was kind of shocked obviously but I remember, the next thing I said to him was well you’re going to have to tell my wife cause she’s going to have questions for you,” Hammond said.
Questions that led to a long-fought battle involving chemo and treatments during the pandemic months.
“All we're doing now is is buying you time and we can't guarantee how much that is think maybe a year,” Hammond said.
But doctors told the Louisville teacher his body is much weaker now.
“I guess I’m not scared. It’s weird I’m not scared but I am like, what’s going to be left of me?"
He spends nights planning life for his wife and 3-year-old.
“I’m worried about them after I go,” Hammond said.
He spends his days teaching students at Waggener High School.
But it’s his actions that have inspired the fifth graders from St. Matthews Elementary.
“He's not only inspirational for his family, the staff he works with, and the students he teaches, but to our whole community, Mr. Hammond demonstrates grit every day he comes to work despite the pain he might be in,” said Luella Todd, a fifth grader who shared a speech honoring Mr. Hammond.
The students performed acts of kindness and tied a ribbon to show the character traits that Mr. Hammond exhibits. Earlier this month, the students then surprised Hammond with a wreath, accounting for all the acts of kindness. Those included supporting a friend or a classmate, sharing items or random acts here and there.
“You've made me a little bit better. This—this makes me feel…you're gonna make me cry. Thanks,” Hammond said to the students.
He lives by the motto to preserve and try and leave things better than how they were found.
“I will fight until until I have reached the end and then probably a little bit more,” Hammond said.
The St. Matthews Elementary students performed anywhere from 150 to 200 acts of kindness for Hammond.