Kids Wish Network, Brandon Meets His Hero, Chuck Norris
Longview, TX- A sixteen-year-old diagnosed with a cystic brain lesion meets his all-time hero, Chuck Norris, thanks to a little help at Kids Wish Network!
“I don’t have to have an introduction to you, Brandon,” said Chuck Norris upon meeting the sixteen-year-old. Brandon couldn’t believe it! His hero knew all about him!
In 2006, while riding his bicycle, Brandon was hit by a car. At a doctor’s follow up, it was discovered that Brandon had a cystic brain lesion. The location of the lesion made surgery to remove it impossible. Because of the lesion, Brandon’s brain has stopped growing, causing him developmental delays.
One phone call from Kids Wish Network was all it took to start Brandon on his journey to meet the legendary Chuck Norris. Brandon’s mother, Brenda, was shocked and more than pleased that her boy was getting his fondest wish granted; he had been so brave throughout everything and really deserved a special treat. Brandon’s wish to meet Chuck Norris was something that Brenda longed to give to her wonderful son.
For Brandon’s first special surprise on his way to meet Chuck Norris, the Wish Coordinator at Kids Wish Network organized an evening at Santa’s Wonderland theme park! Everything there was fantastic and, according Brandon’s mother, Brenda, “he loved everything down to the peach cobbler!” While there, Brandon played and really enjoyed himself, even riding the mechanical bull like a real cowboy!
The next morning was the big one for Brandon, and it started off with a horseback riding lesson at Royal Legend stables. When a beautiful white horse was brought around to greet Brandon, he was ecstatic; he’d always wanted to ride on a white horse, ever since he was a young child. Once on the horse, Brandon was a real natural and learned quickly.
The next step was onto Chuck Norris’s ranch. Brandon’s “step” onto the ranch’s grounds was really a stretch limo ride, but that doesn’t make much difference; Brandon was thrilled either way. Meeting the legendary actor and martial artist is one thing, but taking a personal tour of his ranch in the souped-up golf cart called the “Rangermobile” alongside Chuck Norris and riding on one of his horses is a totally different experience. Brandon got to do all that and more while at Chuck Norris’s ranch.
Since he’s been back home, Brandon simply cannot stop talking about his wish. According to his mother, as soon as he returned to his school, “every kid in his dorm swarmed him to hear his story.” It’s interesting that meeting a celebrity has now turned Brandon into a local celebrity, and he loves all the attention. The wish went according to plan and everyone involved had a wonderful time. Brandon and his mom simply cannot thank Kids Wish Network enough for all that they’ve done: “It’s truly a blessing.” Brandon said it best when he exclaimed, “It was the best weekend of my life!”
For helping to make Brandon’s wish come true, Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following: Chuck Norris, The Longview Police Department, Wal-Mart, Knights of Columbus, New Hope Christian Church, The Museum at the George Bush Presidential Library, Santa’s Wonderland, Hawthorn Suites, Anggieland Limousines, Texas Roadhouse, Atwood Hat Co., Royal Legend, Gold Mountain Mining Co. and 2BHipBuckles.
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org
