It’s been almost two years since 11-year-old Caleb Devereaux Jr. — affectionately named “Junior” — passed away from leukemia in the town of Abilene, Texas.
But to his family, friends, and neighbors, his memory has never faded.
“He taught me a lot about how to be friendly to everyone, to hearing people and deaf people, and build those friendships, and also to see students as the whole person,” Letabeth Machogu, Junior’s former teacher, told local ABC news station KTXS12. “Yes, we’re learning academics, but we can take time to be fun and be silly, too. Yeah, it’s really important. He means a lot to me.”
Machogu teaches deaf and hard of hearing students at Ward Elementary, and Junior was one of her favorite pupils.
According to his family, Junior was deaf from an early age, but he quickly mastered American Sign Language, which opened “a world of communication and connection with those around him.”
“Junior’s zest for life was evident in everything he did. Whether he was dancing, singing, or creating TikTok videos with his cherished sisters, Makayla and Miyah, his infectious energy and creativity were boundless,” his obituary reads.
“His radiant smile could light up any room, and he found immense joy in spending quality time with his family and friends.”
Image via Vanessa Rodriguez
A few short months before he passed from leukemia, Junior had just completed fifth grade.
“When I came back after he passed, I was very angry because I just kept thinking that he should be here,” said Machogu.
Last summer, Machogu installed a new playground sign at Ward Elementary that was inspired by Junior’s playful and outgoing attitude. It has the alphabet in ASL, as well as the hand signs for phrases like “friend,” “play,” “tag,” “share,” and more.
Since its installation, hearing students have been able to play with their deaf classmates more freely.
Caleb Jr.’s memorial playground at Ward Elementary. Image via Language Priority / Instagram
“They can communicate with each other directly with our students who use sign language, and then they can play together without having to have an interpreter there to facilitate all the communication,” Machogu said. “They can have a direct friendship without having a third party. You know, that is so important.”
Etched into the top of the sign are the words: “In loving memory of Caleb Jr.”
“I think he’d be proud,” Machogu said. “I picture him looking at me like, ‘Thank you, I love it.’ That’s what he would say.”
According to MJ Grein, an executive assistant at Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library and former sign language interpreter, everyone should learn sign language.
Even knowing a handful of basic signs can help bridge divides between the Deaf and hearing world — especially when it comes to empowering deaf children.
“Everyone can learn sign language,” Grein told the Harvard Gazette. “Deaf people can’t learn to hear, and that’s the difference.”
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Header image via Vanessa Rodriguez
