3-year-old Kaleb Dorr in the BFI arena, wearing his “honorary” back number.
‘Wish Kid’ Kaleb Dorr Knows The Ropes
Three-year-old Kaleb Dorr, from Wagoner, Okla., is not your average kid. Having been born with a rare blood disorder and without radius bones in his arms, this is called TAR Syndrome. You would never know it by his attitude. He has had countless plasma transfusions and endured 10 surgeries so far. “His indomitable spirit is inspiring” said, bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman. Tuff and Dorr are now great buddies and both exemplify a fighting spirit and perseverance.
Dorr, who is all cowboy, was rewarded by Western Wishes by uniting him with All-Around Champion of the world, Trevor Brazile as well as rodeo legend Larry Mahan and horse clinician superstar Chris Cox.
Since Dorr comes from a roping family, Western Wishes decided to lift the spirits of the family and bring them to the two biggest ropings in the world — the BFI and the Reno Rodeo Invitational — where rodeo world champions and legends competed.
BFI producer and award-winning rodeo announcer, Bob Feist, helped to make dreams come true for the Dorr family. The ropers and rodeo legends made the motto of Western Wishes come true… that of “Leaving a Legacy of Goodwill — the Cowboy Way!”
Kaleb’s mom, Kim Dorr, is learning the ropes of wish coordinating and enjoyed the Reno Rodeo as well. Kim is now the Oklahoma Chapter Director along with 16 other chapter directors across the nation as of this date. Western Wishes has a goal of launching 20 state and regional chapters by the end of 2012, which will bring the much-needed sense of community that will impact far more families.
Kaleb competed in the Special Kids Rodeo at Reno Rodeo and also attended the rodeo performance. As the Western Wishes National Poster Child for 2011, Kaleb Dorr touched a lot of hearts in that short time. Kaleb loves the cowboy life and does not give a thought to his disabilities, and is now an ambassador of hope and inspiring others nationwide.
Western Wishes celebrates and rewards the fighting spirit of kids faced with adversity who live and love the western way of life. “It’s equally inspiring to know that a wish mom has a heart for the program and wants to make a difference in other kids lives as well as their family,” said founder/president Donnalyn Quintana.
Since 1994, countless dreams have been turned into lasting memories for deserving kids throughout the nation. The award-winning program based out of Texas, now strives to communicate the perseverance and courage of kids faced with adversity and encourages them to “pay it forward” and become ambassadors of hope to others. Western Wishes would like to thank Bob Feist and the BFI crew who put on the biggest roping in the world, for brightening the lives of Western Wishes kids, and their continued support.
