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Landon Nash: Cowboy for a week |
By Amanda
Newman, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Amanda at
anewman@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Landon Nash was a cowboy last
week.
During the St. Paul Rodeo, he attended the Professional Bull Riding
(PBR) event, nightly rodeo performances and the Fourth of July
Parade. But the 9-year-old St. Paul resident isn’t just an overeager
rodeo fan — he was the 2007 St. Paul Rodeo Western Wish recipient.
Nash suffers from
seizure disorder and a learning disability, said his mother,
Michelle. “His life’s been pretty tough,” she said. “We can’t seem
to get him ahead.”
So when Landon was selected by Glee Nett, Western Wish
founder, executive director and national wish coordinator, as the
St. Paul Rodeo wish recipient, it was “a blessing,” Michelle said.
The Children’s Western Wish Foundation partners with rodeos, stock
shows, stampedes and other Western events of all sizes to brighten
the lives of children who cope with physical, mental or terminal
afflictions on a daily basis. Wish recipients participate in the
events, receive a set of Western clothes and get to meet rodeo
contestants and other members of the “rodeo family.”
The St. Paul Rodeo Association gave Landon six box seat tickets to
every night of the rodeo. Landon rode in the parade, ate dinner with
the cowboys and one night rode into the arena in a Dodge pickup
truck. “He was treated like a VIP,” Michelle said. But for Landon,
the best part was seeing the rodeo clown.
“The clown was very funny,” Landon said. “The coolest part (of the
rodeo) was when the clown jumped over a semi.” (Rodeo clown Troy
Lerwill, who doubles as stuntman “The Wild Child,” jumped over a
Dodge pickup truck and a Bloomer trailer on a dirt bike).
“He had a great time and he loved the attention,” Michelle said.
“It was extra special.”
Landon took Michelle and father Eric; 11-year-old sister Sarah and
3-year-old brother Grayden; grandparents and friends to the rodeo
performances.
“Glee blessed not only our kids, but also some other friends,” Michelle
said. “We were very blessed.”
This was not Landon’s first experience with the rodeo, his mother
explained: “We love the rodeo. We’re groupies, we go every year.”
However, it will probably be the most memorable. “I had so much
fun!” Landon said.
For more information on Western Wish, visit
www.childrenswesternwish.com. |
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From July 11, 2007,
Newberg Graphic
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