Like many kids with Down Syndrome, Nine-year-old Brandon “Chomp”
Barela was born with a heart defect. 2026 was Chomp’s first year to participate
in 4-H. He received a goat which he named “Santa,” to prepare for this year’s
livestock auction. In March, Chomp experienced heart failure. He underwent
surgery to receive a new valve and pacemaker. A week before the fair, heart
failure put him in the hospital again, and he was unable to show Santa. Chomp’s
best friend led Santa into the ring on his behalf. Santa sold for more than
$41,000. The buyers returned Santa to the Barela family, who will care for him
while Chomp waits for a heart transplant. “Sometimes a livestock sale becomes a
whole lot more than selling an animal,” said Dave Francis, Utah 4-H director.
“These moments remind us 4-H is about so much more than what happens in
the show ring.”
No comments:
Post a Comment