Published: May 11, 2008 01:07 am            

Mother, son graduate together

Melissa Acton wasn't in the audience when her son, Chance Tucker, received his degree from Meridian Community College Saturday at Northcrest Baptist Church. She was on stage with him.

"I watched him walk across and get his degree," said Acton, bursting with mother's pride.

And then, Acton walked across the stage – to accept her degree in business and office technology.

"This has taken a lot of years and a lot of hard work to accomplish – for both of us," she said.

Moreso for Tucker, who received an associate's degree in graphics communications technology. Diagnosed 95 percent deaf at 14 months, he was not expected to read, much less graduate from college.

"All I ever wanted was for Chance to be what he wanted to be," Acton said. "He has accomplished that, and so much more."

Two months after his diagnosis, Tucker was fitted with hearing aids. Residents of Alabama at the time, Tucker, who was 18 months, and his mother traveled to Meridian each week for speech therapy and listening coordination sessions at Meridian Speech and Hearing Center.

"His doctor in Birmingham told me that I if chose to listen to what others said instead of just getting out there and fighting for him, he wouldn't be anything," she said.

Acton made contacts with individuals and institutions all over the country, corresponding by mail and telephone.

"Back then we didn't have the Internet," she said. "I contacted the actor Dick Tracy whose son, John, was born deaf. They have a John C. Tracy Institute in California and I contacted him (Dick) and corresponded with them for years by mail to get programs of study."

A few years later, Tucker participated in a satellite program with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf held at Livingston University.

"He learned his colors, he learned his alphabets ... It was a wonderful program," Acton said.

The family moved to Meridian and Tucker entered first grade at Parkview Elementary School, which offered a special class for deaf students.

"That really helped him because the children talked and signed just like him," his mother said.

When he finished at Magnolia Middle School, many of his classmates transferred to the School for the Deaf in Jackson. Tucker enrolled at Clarkdale Attendance Center.

"They had a lady out there who could do sign language and would go to classes with the students, so we moved to Clarkdale," Acton said.

After graduating from high school, Tucker began working at Sears and moved into his own place. He continued his education by enrolling at MCC and did very well in his program of study. He recently won Best of Show in the Jackson Advertising Federation's competition, the Addys, winning the top award for his illustration of a poster for a car show.

"He's very independent – he's good at saving money, cooks, pays his bills ... " Acton said. "And that's what we want, because we may not always be there. We didn't want him to be dependent on us."

Three years ago, Acton decided it was time for her to go back to school. She enrolled in the business program at MCC. Now that she's earned her associate's degree, she's undecided on her next step.

"I don't know if I want to go back and get my bachelor's degree or if I want to go out in the work force," she said. "I'm not going to get in a hurry right now until I know that Chance has landed his dream job."

She's also keeping up with a teen-age daughter, Crystal.

For now, Tucker is savoring having earned his associate's degree.

"I feel proud ... And I'm glad there's no more books," he said. "It's been a hard road, a lot of work, but worth it."

His words of inspiration to other young people who have special challenges: "Work hard and continue your education; don't drop out."

Today, as many mothers are feted with cards, presents and dinner in observance of Mother's Day, Acton said she received her gift on Saturday.

"Seeing Chance walk across the stage to get his degree was the best Mother's Day; you couldn't buy a better present," she said.

        

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