Parker County Toddler Gets Wish

JUNE 21, 2012.

PRESS RELEASE

ParkerCountyToddlerGets Wish

Most toddlers live in a make-believe world full of dreams and wishes – they dream of being a cowboy, a princess, a deputy, a chef or an astronaut.

For young Chandler Davis, his dream of being a cowboy deputy sheriff is coming true.

Chandler, 4, was diagnosed with terminal Shwachman Diamond Syndrome, a rare bone marrow cellular disease and Chiari 1 Malformation of the brain. Depending on test results,Chandlerpossibly faces a second brain surgery in the upcoming months. He has endured more than 200 procedures and tests. So many, that his parents have lost count.

Western Wishes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making critical or terminal youngsters’ dreams come true, is granting his wish with the help of the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse.

Donnalyn Quintana, founder of Western Wishes, called Posse Captain Joe Harris Sr., who granted rodeo tickets forChandlerand his parents.

He was invited to ride a horse in the grand entry of the Frontier Days Rodeo on Friday evening and was introduced over the Public Address System as the special guest of the Posse.

During the rodeo,Chandlerwas introduced to Parker County SheriffLarry Fowler.

Fowler decided to take the young man’s wish one step further.

Chandlerwill officially take his oath of office Friday at 11 a.m. at the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds at2251 Mineral Wells Highwayin Weatherford, to become an honorary Parker County Deputy Sheriff.

Sheriff Fowler will presentChandlerwith a plaque signifying his oath of office, a patrol deputy uniform and a genuine deputy sheriff’s badge.

“Anytime we can help a child in a situation such as this, is an honor for us,” Fowler said. “We want him to feel special.”

Sheriff Fowler, Posse Captain Joe Harris Sr. and Western Wishes Founder Donnalyn Quintana will be at the ceremony Friday to swearChandlerin. Scott Mendes, world champion bull rider, will also attend the ceremony.

“He’s just a champ,” said Harris Sr. “We were honored to haveChandleras our guest and to be a part of honoring him.”

Chandler’s cowboy dream continues: He has been selected as the ambassador to the North Texas region and will attend the National Finals Rodeo held inLas Vegasthis December, and the Professional Bull Rider’s World Finals Championship inCheyenne,Wyo., which will be held in July onChandler’s fifth birthday.

Quintana was delighted to arrange the wish.

“It’s a family wish that we are happy to help come true,” Quintana said, who is also arranging forChandler’s family to attend each event. “It’s amazing how resilient these kids are who are going through critical times. It’s our absolute pleasure to lift their spirits and to make certain the family continually has something to look forward to.Chandleris the sweetest little cowboy.”

He gets his yearning to be a cowboy from his mother, Jennifer Yocham and his step father, Tony Yocham, a former professional bull rider. Donations may be made on Chandler’s behalf to Western Wishes, by logging ontowww.westernwishes.org. Please specify the donation is for Chandler Davis.

To learn more about Chandlerand his diseases, log onto www.caringbridge.org/visit/chandlerdavis