Cowboys make sick child’s wish come true
July 17, 2011
Visit to ACH inspires rodeo pros and kids alike to stay positive in face of adversity
Story and photo by Michelle Hagen
CALGARY—What started out as a visit to lift a young patient’s spirits ended with a group of seasoned rodeo competitors in awe of his ability to inspire others.
Prior to entering the most intense competition of this year’s Stampede, Saddle Bronc rider Cody Wright, Bull rider Mike Lee, and Steer Wrestlers Dane Hanna and Billy Bugenig took some time early Sunday to visit nine-year-old Dakota, and a few other kids, at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Dakota was born with Tuberous Sclerosis, a disorder that causes benign tumors to invade much of his body and affect his vital organs. He’s been in ACH for nearly a month, undergoing multiple surgeries.
Hearing that Dakota dreamed of attending the Stampede rodeo, but was too sick to do so, the Stampede brought the rodeo to him.
“Most of these kids are tougher than we are,” said Lee, a top competitor in the Stampede bull riding finals and former Professional Bull Riders world champion. “Seeing kids like Dakota shows you what tough really means.”
The cowboys gathered around the Dakota’s bedside shortly before the boy was slated to go in for his 10th surgery in recent weeks, chatting about the Stampede and the soon-to-be Grade 4 student’s hopes for the future.
“When I grow up, I want to be a scientist – like a geologist or something to do with wildlife,” Dakota said with a smile. In fact, he said, poison dart frogs are on his list of most interesting things.
Despite his physical pain, Dakota always has something positive to say, a trait he’s become known for around the hospital and beyond.
“He’s got such a positive attitude,” says ACH registered nurse Claire Galoska. “I think it’s made his stay a little easier on him. He’s a real inspiration to us all.”
Galoska also said visits such as this one bring happiness to the kids at ACH.
“It’s amazing what it does for them,” she said. “It totally brings their spirits up and they talk about it for so long afterwards.”
