“It was his first rodeo.”
Certainly, one he’ll never forget, and the beginning of another special interest in the life of a very special boy.
Many people get excited about attending rodeos, but the Eureka Pro Rodeo, Saturday evening at Eureka, was even more extraordinary to one little first time attendee.
Pic 3
Five-year-old Landon Lacy, a double leg amputee, was in the spotlight as Shriners Honoree during the rodeo recognizing treatment he’s received in the Shriners Hospital.
Actually, Landon is known best as “Bear,” because he’s been “as tough as a bear” ever since being born with multiple birth defects, according to Grandma Dana Horning.
Now equipped with “transformer legs,” following treatment at the Shriners Hospital in Chicago, Bear lives with his grandparents Dana and Chris Horning, and his two dogs, poodles Stella and Annie, at Park City, just north of Wichita.
“The Eureka rodeo was fun, amazing and full of love and surprises. When we arrived at the gate, it was like everyone knew us. Stephanie Nelson from the rodeo committee made us feel so welcome, and introduced us to cowboys and cowgirls who helped Bear with the events of the evening,” Grandma Dana said.
“Bear wanted to do everything the other little kids were doing in the arena, and he did, insisting, ‘I’m tough, Nana, please? And, with that, off he went with his grandpa, ‘Papa.’”
“The rodeo started, and ‘wow’ did Bear ever get excited. He certainly got everyone’s attention with his excitement and screams when the horses came out of the chute and started bucking. He watched every single one, cheering every rider,” Grandma declared.
Then, as bagpipes serenaded, Bear, accompanied by his grandpa, boarded a wagon along with Shriners and rodeo officials. Announcer Scott Grover introduced Bear to the rodeo crowd and emotionally related Bear’s difficult life journey.
Bear received a bronze and silver belt buckle from “Ropin’ Dreams,” a t-shirt, a hat, and a $200 gift certificate to Toys R Us.
“During the remainder of the rodeo, many people came over to hug Bear, ‘high-five him,’ give him something, take pictures with him, or just to say ‘Hi,’ and wish him luck in his continuing journey. It made our Bear have the happiest day ever,” Grandma appreciated.
Among Bear’s birth defects were prominent webbing of his legs preventing extension, with ankles webbed backward, along with a cleft lip, and other malformations.
After more than 30 unsuccessful leg surgeries locally, Bear was taken for evaluation at Shriners Hospital in Chicago.
“We were concerned whether they wanted us, because of the uniqueness of the abnormalities, with only 90 known cases in the world, and also because of the problems in earlier treatment efforts. Fortunately, the hospital wanted to assist, and doctors scheduled a double leg amputation,” Grandma said.
That surgery on February 10, this year, “went well,” and Bear came home a week later. “But, staph infection developed in both ‘stubs,’ caused in part by scar tissue from previous surgeries, making healing difficult,” Grandma related.
“Bear had the biggest smile ever when he awoke from the procedure, his deformed limbs gone, and he wanted his new ‘transformer legs,’ right now,” Grandma affectionately recalled.
“Steve Peeples with Peeples’ Orthotics and Prosthetics made the transformer legs happen. Bear is learning how to walk again,” Grandma proudly announced.
Procedures are going to be required at the Chicago Shriners Hospital for the large and unusual opening in Bear’s cleft, Grandma said.
. “Bear and all of us are so thankful for everything the Shriners Hospital, the Wichita Shrine Temple, and all Shriners everywhere have done for Bear and our family,” Grandma appreciated.
A Facebook page, called “Bears Buddies,” has been started, so people can follow Bear’s life journey, as he also started Kindergarten last week at West Elementary School in Valley Center.
“Bear has friends from around the world, including several different countries,” Grandma noted.
Rodeo excitement kept Bear awake until the wee hours Sunday morning. “He kept saying he never got to ride a bull, and he was going to buy a horse with his own money, and sleep with it,” Grandma smiled.
“We want to say thank you to all who had a part in the rodeo and honoring Bear. Special thanks to the Shriners who made surgeries and doctors’ appointments happen. Thank you so much for making our grandson Bear feel so honored and loved.
“He’s little and doesn’t quite understand everything, but Bear does know that people from everywhere love him. Bear works hard every day of his life to become just like everyone else. That’s all he wants is to love everyone, and to be loved. And, that he is,” Grandma insisted.