Cowgirl for a Day

A Bothell Girl’s Wish Comes True

Alyssa McCarron Thompson rode a horse named Sugar on her first day at Taylor Mountain Ranch. The cowboys showed her how to cut and sort cattle, an important ranch chore. You need courage, skill and cool confidence to ride alone into a herd of cattle and separate one cow from the herd, especially a herd this size: 28 head. Alyssa was welcome to try, or she could have passed, sat and watched. People would understand. The 7-year-old Bothell girl is living with a brain tumor. But Alyssa did not hesitate. She’s a cowgirl.

“She was incredible,” said Barb McCracken, who owns Taylor Mountain Ranch with her husband, Roger. “She was tough. She went right into the herd. … She is not afraid of anything.”

This is her world. Alyssa has dreamed of being a cowgirl and horse trainer since age 3. Opportunities like this, however, fortify her spirit. Her pink cowgirl hat covers her surgery scars, and she’s got more operations ahead. Alyssa said, “It (this day) is going to help me become stronger.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of volunteers and sponsors, made Alyssa’s special day possible. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions bringing hope, strength and joy to all. Founded in 1980, the foundation has granted more than 225,000 wishes worldwide and is the largest wish-granting organization in the world.

“Once a child’s doctor qualifies them for a wish, my hope is to help them feel as if they have just stepped into their very own fairy tale,” said Wish Manager Jessie Elenbaas. “It’s unfortunate when kids spend their days in the hospital recovering from surgery after surgery or receiving chemo/radiation instead of playing outside with friends or in sports as other kids their age. Though we can't change their physical condition, we are medicine for the soul by granting their heartfelt wish.”

On her wish day, real cowboys taught Alyssa and her friends about horsemanship, roping and barrel racing (a rodeo event in which a rider makes a series of sharp turns around barrels). The cowboys, Alyssa and her friends herded 28 head of cattle through the valley and into a corral. That evening, about 120 family members, friends and fans in their cowboy hats and boots celebrated with line-dancing, live music, cowboy poetry and cake. Alyssa’s friends won blue ribbons. Alyssa earned the “All-Around Cow Girl Award” trophy and her first belt buckle.

“I have really enjoyed this whole day,” said Alyssa. “I cannot thank them enough for letting me come here and make my wish come true.”

One wish leads to another
… and another … and another
The Make-A-Wish movement began with one wish. In 1980, a boy from Phoenix, Ariz., named Chris wished to be a police officer for a day, and his friends and family managed to fulfill his wish. After seeing how the experience created goodness for so many, his friends formed the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 1986, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Washington chapter opened. In 2000, the chapter expanded its territory, enabling it to serve children throughout Alaska, Montana and Northern Idaho. Since then, the chapter has granted wishes to more than 4,000 children. But there is more need than resources.

“Despite all the medical advances, the rate of childhood cancers and other serious diseases continues to grow,” said Elenbaas. “… With the number of wish-granting referrals on the rise, the demand for our services is greater than ever. We address this challenge by working out a rigorous wish schedule throughout the year, carefully balancing needs and resources, so that we can serve as many families as possible.”

The Make-A-Wish chapter has a sizable presence in the 425 area, including 150 active volunteers and roughly 500 wishes granted to children with ties to the 425 area. From September 2008 to August 2009, the chapter received $752,634 in cash donations from 425-area residents. In-kind donations of goods and services keep cash costs low. The greatest asset, however, is volunteers. People like helping because they get something precious — a moment to give freely.

“The ability to pay it back and pay it forward, it shows how lucky you are,” said Tom Byrne, 42, of Kirkland, a Make-A-Wish volunteer for 19 years. “It gives you hope when you give your time, talent and treasure to a child.”

Roy Gill of Ravensdale and Jim Adderson of Enumclaw, two cowboys who helped out on Alyssa’s wish day, said they’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“Any time you can put a smile on a kid’s face, I’d be happy to help out,” Gill said.

Adderson concurred: “Well said.”

Gill and Adderson are two of many who gave Alyssa heartfelt well-wishes to carry on her journey, including cards, gifts, photos and a book of cowboy poetry. Gill simply said: “We want to thank you for letting us be a part of your day. You are a beautiful lady.”

And it didn't end there. That night, with her friends, Alyssa slept in a Native American teepee adorned with horses. She’ll go home in the morning, but this moment by the stables at sunset is hers to keep. Walking down the gravel path, reassuring the horses with gentle touches and soft whispers, she is one beautiful lady. She is a cowgirl.

Alyssa’s Special Day at a Glance
Guest of Honor: Alyssa McCarron Thompson, age 7, of Bothell
What: Alyssa wished to be a cowgirl and live on a ranch. Accompanied by cowboys, Alyssa and her friends enjoyed barrel racing, horse riding, line-dancing and roping, as well as a cattle drive, for two days in August.
Host: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho and Washington
Why: Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Alyssa, who is living with a brain tumor, said her cowgirl experience gives her strength.
Where: Taylor Mountain Ranch of Maple Valley, owned by James and Barb McCracken
People Who Made it Possible: Jim Adderson, cowboy; Phill Bailey, who made chaps for Alyssa; Roger and Jodi Braa, horse trainers; Tucker Braa, roper instructor; Kim Gately, horse trainer; Roy Gill, cowboy; Duane Hebert, horse trainer; Janet Milne, blue ribbon provider; Joe the roper; Jay Matsudaira, videographer; Margie Mraz, line-dance instructor; Kristi Scelzi, provided cowgirl belt and arranged for cowboys; and many more.
Companies Who Made it Possible: Art Gamblin Motors, Burien Trophy, Christiana Childers Photography, Duane Hebert Horse Training, Free Cakes for Kids, Party Ponies, Pepsi, Ranch & Home, Renton Western Wear, Rockin' HW, Sanmar & Pacific Coast Embroidery, Silver Wings Ranch, Texas Smokehouse BBQ, Tri-Film, Timber Creek Lodge and XXX Rootbeer Drive-In.

Every Wish is Special
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The local chapter has granted about 500 wishes to children with ties to the 425 area. Here’s a few:
Gabbi Gershowitz, age 15, of Kirkland, wished to be a model for a day. Gabbi enjoyed a day at the spa, participated in a radio interview and modeled in a professional photo shoot.
Krystal Graylin, age 8, of Bellevue, wished to be a princess in a movie, like Cinderella. She got red-carpet treatment and starred in her own fairy-tale film.
Blake Podnar, age 13, of Mill Creek, wished to visit Washington, D.C. He journeyed there to learn about our history and visit museums.
Grace Weaver, age 6, of Kirkland, wished to be in her own fairy tale. She got her wish last summer and even got her own fairy wings.

For the full story pick up the latest copy of 425 magazine. Subscriptions are available by phone at 425.646.1380 or you may order your subscription online.