There were no dry eyes in the stands during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Brahman Heifer Show (Class 15) on Thursday, March 6. Brady Barton’s, 17, dream came true when he was surprised with his wish, a Brahman heifer. Brady was diagnosed with Lymphoma at age 15 and decided his last wish was to add to his Brahman herd at home in Central Texas.
It started as a normal day for Brady and his family. They were asked to attend the event and have him serve as a guest judge for a class of Brahman heifers. Thanks to a generous donation from Brandon and Rachel Cutrer, Brady’s visit was beyond what anyone could have imagined. Make-A-Wish often contributes to the cost of a “wish granted” but in this case, the heifer was given to Brady at no cost to the organization.
Since a young age, Brady has had a passion for showing Brahman heifers, so he said his last wish was an easy decision. With the shock of a lifetime, he was left speechless in the ring as the judge said, “I’m glad you like her, because this one is yours.”
Full of appreciation, Brady was at a loss for words. “I’m just blessed, I blacked out for a little bit, but I’m back to normal now,” Brady said. The good news does not stop there, Brady is now cancer-free and can enjoy senior year with his growing herd. This would not have been possible without the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Julie Bass, chief mission officer for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, emphasized how perfect of a situation it was. “It was just a perfect pairing when he asked for something that we already are promoting,” Bass said.
This is a powerful testament to this organization’s life-changing impact on youth. Brady’s journey and his new heifer represent not just personal triumph, but the beginning of a legacy that may see this Brahman bloodline showcased in competitions for generations to come.