High School Sophomore, Billy Brower has always wanted to be a cowboy and thanks to a horse named *Garth, his boyhood dream came true this summer. Billy and twenty-one other families were invited to attend a unique week long camp designed especially for handicapped children. These families were guests of Whitney Hope Foundation, a not for profit organization funded solely by the generous donations of caring individuals, churches and corporations. Together, they share the belief with founder, Dan Whitney that handicapped children can advance from the sidelines and be active participants in the full camping experience, just like other boys and girls who attend traditional summer camps.

Dean and his wife Kim Brower, are no strangers to camping. They have involved their son and daughter in family outings since infancy and continued camping with them even after both children became disabled. Billy sustained a massive stroke when he was 4 1/2 months old, leaving him dependant on his parents for his basic needs, even to this day. He has a disease known as Cerebral Palsy as a result of the stroke. He is confined to a wheelchair and needs assistance being transferred to and from his chair.

His older sister, Lindsey became disabled when she was 9 1/2 years old. She suffered over 125 strokes, followed by a massive stroke that placed her in a coma for four months. Lindsey, unlike her brother, is not in a wheelchair, however, she has partial hearing loss, uses a cane because she looses her balance and is legally blind.

Both Lindsey and Billy have learned not to let their disabilities prevent them from participating in normal teenage activities. They are involved in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and their parents are the troop leaders. Dean and Kim have master minded numerous summer scout camps as well as day camps, but have always felt their children were left out because of their limitations and disabilities. Not so with Camp Whitney Hope!

Dennis and Pam Dutton brought Garth, their beautiful brown horse to the summer camp for the families to enjoy. Billy had told his parents he wanted to meet Garth, but when he came face to face with the huge beast, Billy suddenly changed his mind. Billy was afraid and screamed as though his life was in danger while Garth casually sauntered over to greet him, hoping to receive a carrot and at best to meet a new friend.

Kim told her terrified son, "I know you're scared to death, but you're going to touch him." She also knew how badly he wanted to pet Garth because that was all he had talked about for the entire day saying, "go see the horse, go touch Garth". His parents are very cautious with Billy's safety, yet they offer him strict encouragement to help him overcome his fears. Their intuition paid off, much to Billy's eventual pleasure.

As Garth cautiously nuzzled close to his new friend, Billy reached up, petted him on his side and gave him several carrots. The bond between Billy and Garth grew throughout the remainder of the week at camp, with Billy going to visit him each day.

Pam Dutton had brought a buckboard to camp and campers who are unable to ride on Garth were able to go for a ride with *Goliath in the lead.

This special bond between a young handicapped teenage boy and horse continued after the conclusion of camp. Billy is now grooming, feeding and riding Garth at a horse ranch in Santa Paula, California. He began by sitting in a saddle accompanied either by Pam Dutton or her son Dean who would sit behind Billy while he held onto the horn of the saddle. Garth, was led by one of his owners while both Dean and Kim Brower walked on each side of the horse, giving their son words of praise and encouragement as he swayed back and forth to the movement of his faithful friend.

The horseback rides have helped strengthen his back and relax his muscles. His parents have said that Billy's physical therapist has noticed an improvement in his muscle tone. Going to the horse ranch has also improved his speech development and broadened his vocabulary.

The Boy Scouts of America has certified Pam Dutton as an instructor in horsemanship and Billy is earning this badge. On Sunday, October 29,2002, Billy rode solo for the first time. Pam and her husband Dennis constructed a special saddle to support his back so that he could ride without a rider. He held on tight, sat up as straight as possible, riding high in the saddle, beaming from ear to ear. On this crisp autumn day as the sun began to set, Billy became the true cowboy he once only dreamed of becoming!

Billy now proclaims, "No fear of the horse. I rode the horse by myself." All because he was given an opportunity to fulfill a dream, both of riding a horse and going to a camp where he was treated just like other kids who are just like him.

*Note: Garth is a 1,500 pound horse that was destined for disposal three years ago is a prime example of the hope and proof that miracles do happen, regardless of functioning ability. Goliath is the stable mate of Garth.

A book of stories on the families of Whitney Hope Summer Camp 2002 is being written for a late spring publishing.

If you have a story that you would like to share, or if you know of someone who's story has touched your life, please send us the story or the information to contact the right people to get the story here in the Spotlight Story section. Please send any information to spotlight@whitneyhope.com.