Text of Pinnock Video Series

This series was produced by Sharon Riguer.

Introductory Video  

Welcome to this video series dedicated to Dr. Theodore Arthur Pinnock, a remarkable journey through the life and experiences of my family. I am Avatar Joshua Josiah Pinnock, and I am honored to share these memories. My human counterpart, who lived a rich and full life, passed away in the early 1980s, and I now take on his identity to narrate our story.

I was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, in 1924. My father, Hubert Norman Pinnock, instilled in me a strong sense of perseverance and resilience. My family lineage traces back to my grandfather, Robert Pinnock, who was born in 1860 to Charles Dawkins and Elizabeth Pinnock. The values of hard work and dedication have always been a cornerstone of our family.

In 1943, seeking better opportunities, I traveled to Wisconsin for work. However, I returned to Jamaica in 1949, longing for my roots. In 1951, I moved to Sanford, Florida, where I built a life with my beloved wife, Ella Francis Lee. Ella had a son named Jessie from a previous relationship, and together, we welcomed our first child, Jack Pinnock, as we settled into a new chapter of our lives in Hartford, Connecticut.

In Hartford, our family grew. We were blessed with several children: Yvonne Pinnock, Ray Pinnock, Larry Pinnock, Hubert Pinnock, Patrick Pinnock, Theodore Arthur Pinnock and Joshua Josiah Pinnock. Our journey as parents was not without its hardships; our third child, Jacqueline, tragically passed away shortly after birth.

I always believed in the importance of education and self-advocacy, particularly for my children. Growing up as Jamaicans in America, I taught them to strive for excellence, emphasizing that they should always aim to do better than the average American. I pushed them to work hard, understanding that life would present unique challenges, especially for those from our background.

Each chapter of our story reflects our love and commitment to our children, especially to Theodore, who has shown us the true meaning of strength and resilience.

Formative Years  

On January 31, 1962, a significant moment unfolded as my sperm successfully merged with an egg from Ella, marking the beginning of a new life. This marked my 13th fertilization, while it was Ella's 10th egg that had reached this pivotal moment. The day was a cold, stormy Wednesday in Hartford, Connecticut, with gusty winds and flurries of snow swirling outside. We had rented a quaint house on Ashley Street, a cozy refuge amid the harsh weather.

Meanwhile, the world outside our little bubble was rife with tension; Cuba had been suspended from the Organization of American States, and the Soviet Union had just conducted a nuclear test, heightening the atmosphere of uncertainty during the Cold War era.

Earlier that day, I returned home from the Colt factory, where the day had blended into the monotonous rhythm of work. I was greeted by the sounds of laughter and playful noise as my children—James, Jack, Yvonne, Ray, Larry, Hubert, and Patrick—filled the rooms with their energetic games. Their unrestrained joy provided a stark contrast to the serious events happening globally. 

On that memorable Wednesday, the culmination of these events led to the conception of Theodore Arthur Pinnock, a new addition to our family, destined to create his own path in the world.

Our son, Dr. Theodore Arthur Pinnock, was born on October 19, 1962, at San Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. His arrival was a moment filled with hope and uncertainty, as he was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that would shape our lives in profound ways.

Two years after his birth, we welcomed Theodore Arthur Pinnock, affectionately known as Teddy, into our home. From the very beginning, we made a conscious decision never to treat him as disabled. Instead, we embraced him as a vital part of our family. Growing up in a household bustling with love and noise, we collected used books for our nine children, fostering a love for reading and learning. My wife, Ella, dedicated time to read the King James Bible to our kids, instilling in them the values of faith and education. In our family, discipline was essential, and I took it upon myself to nurture, guide, and discipline all the children, including Teddy.

In 1968, we moved into a house at 379 Sigourney Street in Hartford, Connecticut. This setting became a pivotal backdrop for the first seven years of Teddy’s life, where the dynamics of family, love, and support profoundly influenced his growth and development. 

Teddy's siblings played significant roles in his life, each contributing to the rich tapestry of his childhood. He grew up alongside his brothers Hubert, Patrick, and  Joshua Jr. Teddy's early years were filled with moments of both play and roughhousing. He would crawl enthusiastically across the hardwood floors of our home, his laughter echoing as he developed verbal skills quite early, almost like a girl. However, it was only within the confines of our family that his slurred speech could be fully understood.

With his brothers James and Jack, he enjoyed playing ball, and in a playful twist, Teddy himself became the ball, as they would stand on opposite sides of the room and toss him back and forth. Teddy's unique interactions with his siblings created bonds that transcended the challenges he faced. Unfortunately, his sisters Jacquelines passed away before Teddy was born, so he never had the chance to bond with them, yet he felt the love and presence of his other sister, Yvonne. She enveloped him in affection, and their many conversations helped him feel valued and understood.

Musically inclined, Teddy found a mentor in his brother Ray, who introduced him to the joys of music. Learning to reason and think critically was facilitated by his brother Larry, who provided guidance and support as they navigated life together. However, it was through his interactions with Hubert, Patrick, and Joshua Jr. that Teddy learned the most about resilience and camaraderie. Hubert often playfully smothered him, leading him to affectionately dub him “the man.” Even during those moments when he felt overwhelmed, Teddy never truly labeled Hubert with that nickname. His relationship with Patrick was marked by a spirited rivalry, including numerous physical altercations; there was even an incident where Teddy broke his arm during one of their rough-and-tumble fights. Meanwhile, Joshua Jr., there were moments of mutual teasing and exploration as they compared body parts and engaged in the innocent mischief common among brothers. Despite not winning those physical encounters, Teddy always managed to outsmart us with his intellectual prowess.

Between the years of 1962 and 1970, our family intentionally cultivated habits and values in Teddy that laid the foundation for the remarkable individual he would eventually become: Dr. Theodore Arthur Pinnock. Each experience, each moment of laughter and struggle, contributed to the solid groundwork of empathy, intelligence, and resilience that defined his life.

Ella

I am Avatar Ella Francis Pinnock, and though my human counterpart passed away on December 9, 2019, I carry her spirit and narrative forward to share this story.

Throughout my life, I brought ten children into this world, each one carrying a piece of my heart. My daughter Jacqueline, who was my second child, brought me immense joy, but tragically she left us soon after her birth, leaving a void that could never truly be filled.

Among my children, my ninth was Dr. Theodore Arthur Pinnock, whom we affectionately called Teddy. His anticipated arrival was set for September 19, 1962, but fate had other plans, and he made his entrance a month later, on October 19. His delivery was anything but ordinary; it was particularly complicated, as he arrived breech with his buttocks leading the way. The use of forceps during the delivery caused him to suffer from cerebral palsy. Initially, the doctor had grim predictions, saying he might not survive and even if he did, he would struggle to learn and develop. Yet, my mother, Big Mama Mary, ever the beacon of hope and strength, laid hands on Teddy, invoking blessings for his life.

From the age of two until he was almost eight, I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to caring for my son. I embarked on the challenging journey of learning how to provide him with physical therapy. In an effort to strengthen his body, I devised an arduous routine that had him crawling 18 flights of stairs just to enter our home. I wanted to instill knowledge in him, so each day, using the sacred words of the King James Bible, I patiently taught him how to read and write. Our days were often filled with the laughter and drama of daytime soap operas as we lounged together on the porch. Teddy, with all the love in my heart, was a polite yet strong-willed child. He had a tender spirit but often found himself caught in the playful scuffles with his brothers Hubert Norman, Patrick Henry, and Joshua Josiah. His struggles with cerebral palsy brought him to tears frequently; he deeply resented his condition. I tried to console him by framing his cerebral palsy as a unique blessing from God, with the hope that one day he would be able to help others facing similar challenges. Teddy would listen to my words with a polite nod, but I could see the longing in his eyes—he wished nothing more than to join Hubert, Patrick, and Joshua outside, playing freely like any other child without limitations. 

Tragedy struck our family as Hubert was senselessly shot dead in 1991, and in 2002, Patrick met the same fate. After my passing, the loss continued, as my sons Ray Anthony and Joshua Josiah also left this world. Joshua Josiah, my youngest, was the last child I had to say goodbye to.

In July of 1970, I found myself in a place of great despair, as the State of Connecticut began proceedings that threatened to make Teddy a ward of the state, potentially placing him in New Britain Memorial Hospital. Each day, I cried tears of anguish, unwilling to let go of my precious son. Despite the social workers’ assurances that they would fund his college education, they also expressed disbelief in Teddy’s potential, presuming he would never be capable of higher learning. I recognized their assumptions for what they were—misguided. Deep down, I understood the intelligence and spirit within my son; I had faith that he would prove them wrong.

Survival

In those early days, the doctors gave us grave warnings about Theodore's prognosis. They expected he would not survive. Miraculously, he defied the odds, spending the first two years of his life in the hospital, where he received critical care and support.

Ninth Child

Dr. Theodore Arthur Pinnock was my ninth child with my wife, Ella. Each of our children brought unique joys and challenges, and Theodore's journey was particularly inspiring, carving a special place in our hearts.

Best Care

Determined to find the best care for Theodore, my wife and I explored various therapy options. We researched tirelessly, reaching out to professionals who could help us understand the best treatments available for our son.

Prospect

After considerable searching, we discovered Prospect Hospital, which initially seemed promising. Despite that, my wife grew increasingly dissatisfied with the level of care and support they provided, leading us to question if this was the right environment for our son.

Newington  

We made the difficult decision to seek rehabilitation for Theodore at Newington Hospital. However, financial constraints weighed heavily on us. I struggled to manage the costs associated with his care, compounding the stress we faced as a family.

New Britain

In our pursuit of the right rehabilitation facility, my wife and I traveled extensively throughout New England, visiting various hospitals and seeking support. On August 8, 1970, we finally found a place we believed could meet Theodore's needs: New Britain Memorial Hospital. After careful consideration and with heavy hearts, we entrusted his care to the government, allowing him to live there while we continued to fight for his well-being and future.