Raising funds for an injured rider

Friday, October 17, 2008
Julian Whitcher rides a young bronc at the June, 2008 Elizabeth Stampede in Elizabeth, Colo. -- Cowboy Images/www.CowboyImages.net

Area residents will have an opportunity to make a contribution to the medical costs of a Fort Scott Community College alumnus at a rodeo event this weekend.

With afternoon events beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the FSCC Arnold Arena and evening activities starting at 7:30 p.m., the FSCC Dan VandeWynkel Alumni Rodeo will give FSCC Rodeo coach Chad Cross and his rodeo team a chance to raise funds for Julian Whitcher, an FSCC graduate.

Whitcher, who attended the rodeo program at FSCC from 2004 to 2006, was seriously injured in a rookie bronc riding event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming last July. According to Whitcher, he suffered both back and neck injuries which have left him paralyzed from the chest down.

After the accident, Whitcher was taken to the closest hospital and soon after flown to a hospital in Denver where he underwent several surgeries.

Currently, he is at the Craig Hospital in Denver, Colo. Although doctors have predicted Whitcher's paralysis will be permanent, Whitcher said he has been working diligently to get better and gain more mobility.

Although the local fundraiser will help meet Whitcher's financial needs, he said it is the support of family and friends that has made his recovery a little more bearable.

"It's really nice to have a lot of support and know people are out there and want to help you," Whitcher said. "It is not about the money."

Before the accident, Whitcher's rodeo career was going well, he said. Since the accident he has had to reevaluate his long-term goals.

"Your life turns completely around," he said. "You look at it completely different."

Although the accident has completely changed the direction of Whitcher's life, he said he does not regret rodeoing.

"I try not to look back," he said. "I look forward."

Whitcher added he is grateful for the help of the Cross and the local rodeo team.

"If it wasn't for him (Cross), I wouldn't have rodeoed as well as I did," he said. "Everyone involved in rodeo at Fort Scott helped make me good at rodeos. They teach you how to hold your head up and stick to business."

Saturday's event will include bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway, bull riding, calf roping, goat tying, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and team roping. Residents can participate in the raffling of a sorrel gelding. There will also be a silent auction during the rodeo. Residents will also have an opportunity to donate money to Whitcher by participating in a dinner from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

For more information call Cross at (620) 223-2700 ext. 702.