Cyndi's Two Cents
A special Make-a-Wish
Over the years, I’ve listened to stories, watched videos and seen many photographs about the subject of today’s column. Hers is a story that should make all of us in agriculture proud. I’m turning over the reins for the column today to someone who knows this story from a very personal perspective.
Meghan Grebner is an Anchor/Reporter for Brownfield Ag News. Although her family’s farm roots are in Illinois, she has lived in and covered agriculture in Indiana for nearly 4 years.
My heart has never been filled with as much pride as it was on a recent Sunday night. My boyfriend (Brian) and I sat on the couch, in front of the laptop and watched Dalaney Vickrey sort and help judge the Poland barrow show at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Dalaney was the first baby I ever loved. Her mom, Carin and I are cousins. But in all reality, Carin is the big sister I never had and Dalaney is the “niece” I am privileged to have. Dalaney has been special from the very beginning. In a family full of babies born with blonde hair and blue eyes, Dalaney was born with jet black hair, she stood out from the start. And the first time I held her – I was in love.
At just 14 months, Dalaney was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic mutation that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Cells that produce what are normally thin and slippery fluids such as mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids, in CF patients, become secretions that are more thick and sticky, plugging up tubes, ducts, and passageways, especially in the lungs and pancreas because of a defective gene. Dalaney goes through several hours of treatment every day to manage and control her disease. At this time – there is no cure.
Recently, Dalaney had the opportunity to participate in the Make-A-Wish program. Her one wish was to judge a livestock show. And not just any livestock show – one of the largest stock shows in the nation. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. And she did. Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I met Dalaney and her mom Carin, dad Bret, and younger brother Owen at the airport to see her off and wish her luck. She was calm and collected, but when we started to do an interview about her upcoming week, you could see the excitement in her eyes.
On Sunday, she stood alongside Nick Mauck and Travis Platt in the ring at Houston and helped judged the Poland barrows. Brian and I watched her sort the barrows with confidence and grace. She was a natural. She has shown pigs since she could walk. Judging, sorting, and showing livestock has always come easy to her. We watched as the judges made their way through the classes and select the breed champion. And then, Dalaney took the mic. She gave her reasons and proceeded to name the Reserve Champion Poland Barrow. Like. A. Boss.
I’ve seen her story circle social media this week – the videos, the stories, and the tweets from Houston. I’m so proud that she is making a difference in this world as a teenager. Her story has been inspiring and lifting up others. But I have to tell you – I feel lucky that this isn’t the first time I’ve seen her story. I’ve been blessed to have it as such a big part of my life for the last 14 years.
Dalaney is the modern day version of the Shakespeare quote: “Though she be but little, she is fierce!” Every day, despite her circumstances she lives life to its fullest. In fact – she told a reporter in Houston, “CF doesn’t slow me down. I make the best of it.”
She has a passion for showing livestock and a passion for education and helping find a cure for CF.
That passion is something for which the agriculture industry can and should be proud.
-Meghan Grebner
Meghan, what an beautiful story about an awesome young lady. Go Dalaney, you are an inspiration to so many.
Cyndi’s Aunt.