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July 2018 Articles

NCBA Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill WASHINGTON
• Teen Giving Back to Kids After Brain Injury
Diseases, insects, weeds are concerns as rice season progresses
Check your trees; summer storms and hurricanes are coming
Broadband Connects Farmers to Greater Opportunities
Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision
USDA Designates natural disaster areas
Bill Would Help Protect Farmers and Ranchers From High Health Care Costs
Inland Waterways Infrastructure Bill Ready for House Floor
Grassroots Involvement is a Real Game-Changer
Farm Bureau-supported Bills Will Ensure Accurate Product Labeling
Farm Bureau Files Brief Supporting Water Rule Opponents
Water appropriately during dry weather
Research Highlight: Beef Cattle Production
NCBA "Looks Forward" to Public Meeting on Fake Meat
A Visit to Berlin
UA Ranch Horse Team Wins National Title Second Year in a Row
Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole
Just Rambling July 2018:
Spiritual Corner: Got God?
AgCenter field day expo offers new forum for agriculture information
Are You Growing The Best Tasting Watermelons?

(22 articles found)

Archives by Months

Teen Giving Back to Kids After Brain Injury

Teen Giving Back to Kids After Brain Injury By Ted Harbin, owner of Rodeo Media Relations
MARION, La. - Hanna Conley has no recollection of the barrel racing wreck that changed her life. On Dec. 9, 2016, as her horse tried to round the second barrel, it stumbled then fell, and Hanna, then 13 years old, landed face first in the arena dirt. The result was a traumatic brain injury that landed the young lady in a coma for a few days, in the hospital for longer and eventually a rehabilitation center.
She's a survivor. Now 15, she is thriving, but she still has some rough patches that she and her family hope will be ironed out through therapy and her own will. There are side effects that come with such an injury.
"Hers was a frontal lobe injury, type 2," said her mother, Becky. "She has ADHD due to the injury, and she struggles with anxiety and depression. Hanna had a little bit of survivor's guilt from her accident, her making it and coming out as well as she did. It was recommended she see a psychiatrist."
That helped turn things around, but so did Hanna herself. While attending the Stampede at the Ike rodeo in West Monroe, La. - close to the family's home in Marion, La. - Hanna watched a video about the Cowboys Who Care Foundation, which provides cowboy hats and smiles to children that have life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
"I was feeling guilty that I walked out of the hospital OK," Hanna said. "Most of the people in the hospital with me won't survive, and if they do, they won't have much of a life.
"I walked out like I was almost fine. I really didn't have much hope when I was in the hospital. I know what those kids feel like. Just to give them a cowboy hat and make them smile for 20 minutes - and help them forget their problems - would just mean the world to me."
The young lady is already making an impact. Earlier this month, she conducted an auction that raised nearly $1,200. She also acquired a $100 gift card and sold raffles to help raise money. All told, she raised $1,565 that will go to Cowboys Who Care.
More importantly, she and her parents are coming up with other ideas to help raise even more money for the foundation. That's just the giving nature Becky and Brian Conley have provided their daughter, and she is happy to carry it forward.
"I'm still learning to deal with all the new adjustments with my personality," said Hanna, who is utilizing therapies to help her rewire all the circuits that were damaged during her injury. "I feel like I've progressed really far. If I don't progress any more, I'm OK with that, but I'm going to work my hardest to reach my potential."
That's the true definition of a cowboy … or cowgirl, in this case. She continues to fight, and her family, friends and community have been there supporting her along the way, both during the time of her injury and now giving back to those who need it more than she does. It takes a great deal of work and faith in God, but each step is a giant stride as she battles back from the injury.
"Hanna's story is uplifting, because she's overcome so much," said Pete Carr, owner of Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo and a member of the Cowboys Who Care Foundation board. "The fact that she's young and wants to give back is inspiring to me, and we are thankful she is involved in our foundation."
Editor’s Note/Addition: Written by Danielle Harkins, Editor/Owner of The Banner News of Bernice
Hanna is an amazing young lady who I have watched over the last few years grow into an accomplished barrel rider. When she had her accident, she spent a month in the hospital and quite a few months afterwards in therapy. At this time Hanna is still being seen by a psychologist and neurologists, and will soon have a sleep study done to help her rest. She has traveled back and forth to doctor’s visits and still has some things that are lasting from her accident. But one thing is for certain is her strength and courage, she knew she needed to face her fears and get back out there. One of the most important things she is striving towards is bringing awareness on the importance of wearing a helmet while riding
She wants everyone to know this one little thing could make a huge difference if you have an accident like she did.
After speaking with her mom Becky for an extended period of time on the phone I learned about how she has become involved in the Cowboys Who Care Foundation. She was at a rodeo this past January in Monroe at the Ike and watched a video where Pete Carr spoke about the organization and how it works. After her accident she knew she wanted to help!
Hanna recently held an online auction and raised $1,565.00 towards her $3000.00 goal she has set to donate to Cowboys Who Care Foundation. Her and her mom were over joyed by everyone who donated items for her to auction off and to those who purchased each item.
She has one more fundraiser coming up and hopes this will not only get her to her goal but surpass the goal. Be watching for her ‘Buy a Box’ fundraiser! She will have a photo of a cowboy hat with 73 boxes, each box will be the value of that #, example if you want box #73 it will be $73 to buy it! When all 73 boxes are purchased she will raise $2701.00 to put with the money she has already raised.
On August 3rd she will travel with her family to Winnsboro to the rodeo held there and present her check to Pete Carr, owner of Dallas based Pete Carr Rodeo, he is also on the board of the Cowboys Who Care Foundation. He will be there accepting the donations on behalf of the foundation. She is super excited about her fundraisers and can’t wait to see where she will be when the time comes!
After Hanna’s accident the thought of her riding again was the furthest thing from her parents minds. They couldn’t imagine her back at it, taking a chance of being hurt again. Hanna had other plans, riding is her passion and her time to release the days worries. She started back up by riding in the yard, the pasture, etc near their home not long ago. In early May she said Mom and Dad its time!
May 12th Hanna rode barrels in the Playday in Farmerville in the Darbonne Range Riders arena and placed 1st in Barrels, 1st in Poles and 4th in Quads!!! She also rode in the May 19th Home Town Barrels a rodeo in Farmerville also and on May 26th she participated in the Ag Kid Memorial Day Barrel Run. May 26th she placed high enough to bring home $135 in winnings. She is doing great and blessed by God’s work in her life.
Her Mom Becky Conley said, “ We are beyond thankful for God working on Hanna to heal her body, she has a few more things to go and still suffers from PTSD and not sleeping well from her accident, but she is doing great. We are so blessed by the outpouring of love from our family, friends and community and the support they have given us helping Hanna raise money, God is good.”
Hanna’s mom contacted Pete Carr about the Cowboys Who Care Foundation and left him a message. His secretary called her back and took all her information and tha ball so to speak began rolling. Pete was amazed at her story and contacted Ted Harbin owner of Rodeo Media Relations about her and he couldnt wait to write a story on Hanna. Ted in turn called Cord McCoy and talked to him about Hanna.
Hanna was beaming while talking about a recent surprise! She received a phone call from Cord McCoy. Cord is a professional Bronc rider who on September 26, 2004 suffered a horrific injury. Like Hanna he suffered a brain injury. Cord had his skull crushed by a saddle bronc in Oklahoma City and spent 3 days in a coma and had 8 months of rehab before returning to the rodeo circuit. They had a great chat sharing their stories with each other. Their chat will be something Hanna will remember forever.
Be watching for Hanna’s next fundraiser and her career as a barrel racer - God is truly amazing and so is Hanna! We love you girl!

About Cowboys Who Care Foundation:
"These kids need cowboy hats. After all, what kid wants to wear a wig? But what kid wouldn't want to wear a cowboy hat? Every kid wants to be a cowboy or cowgirl" said Founder William Lee Martin aka Cowboy Bill.
Cowboys Who Care Foundation gives new cowboy hats to children fighting cancer: "It is our belief that there is nothing more precious than a child’s smile. We have found that cowboy hats help create those beautiful smiles. It is our belief that a cowboy hat is still a symbol of bravery, honor and now with your help, compassion." Check out Cowboys Who Care Foundation Website for more Information. You can follow Hanna’s Hope Facebook page for any updates on Hannah or to donate to her fundraiser Cowboys who Care.

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