Santa Maria, CA - Five-year old Jaycie West, of Philip, South Dakota, will be rewarded for her fighting spirit and determination after suffering a traumatic brain injury. On Sunday, July 20th, Jaycie and her family will be honored guests of the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo and will meet rodeo champions who have hearts as big as their names. She will then attend the Taylor Swift concert that evening. On Monday, July 21st, she will also attend the Professional Bull Riders performance.
Western Wishes, an award’winning program since 1994, is dedicated to granting wishes to kids and young adults who are critically ill or severely injured and who love the western way of life.
Kicked in the head in a freak accident by a horse at the Rapid City Rodeo, Jaycie West sustained a severe skull fracture and endured a five hour surgical procedure to delicately remove large bone fragments from her brain.
Her parents, Amber and Zack West, feared the worst regarding brain damage when her left side was paralyzed. She was put into an induced coma for three days and then ICU for a week. Reba McEntire’s sister, Susie Luchsinger, a Dove Award Winning Christian singer, was performing at the Rapid City Rodeo, and had come to the hospital to offer support and prayers.
Amazingly in ten days, all senses returned and even though the surgeons said she could not ride her horse or bike for six months to a year, the hole in her head miraculously closed and healed in less than three months. Needless to say, Jaycie is back in the saddle again.
Today, Jaycie West is looking forward to kindergarten and competing in junior rodeo. Her mom and dad, who are rodeo competitors, credit lots of prayers and an indomitable spirit of a one determined child.
The story of her courageous fight will be a chapter in the upcoming book, Western Wishes and Other Inspirations, celebrating 15 years of the most inspiring stories.
The photos and footage from this wish will be integrated into the book and a music video that will be premiered in December. Three of the most powerful stories come from Cheyenne Frontier Days. Through the years, thanks to the generous hospitality of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Western Wishes kids and their families left Cheyenne with memories that will last a life time.
Time and time again, these inspiring kids display strength and faith beyond their years and teach us all lessons in human courage.
Jayci's Itinerary:
Sunday, July 20th ……...Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo- 1 pm
Sunday Evening……….Taylor Swift (with possible meeting) - 6 pm
Monday Evening ………Professional Bull Riders Performance - 7 pm
Note: Pull up caringbridge.org/Jaycie West and You-Tube to see Jaycie.
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