Make-A-Wish surprises Bryan 10-year-old at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

HOUSTON, Texas (KBTX) – Wishes came true at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Friday when Make-A-Wish surprised a Bryan 10-year-old by granting her special wish.

”I think we’re gonna hear about this forever. She’s definitely taking it all in and she smiles and thinks about something else and smiles again and laughs again,” Christi Wilson, Haley’s mom, said.

Haley went through brain surgery a year and a half ago to treat a form of epilepsy and received her wish from the nonprofit shortly after.

Her mom said she loves spending time in the pastures at her grandparent’s ranch, but her condition makes her sensitive to heat.

“We’re bouncing around on ATVs or UTVs and she can’t, it’s too hot,” Christi said.

When Haley was given her wish, she knew exactly what she wanted – a pink ‘tractor.’

It’s actually a golf cart donated by Flex Powersports, but it serves a very special purpose. The golf cart is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, which means Haley can finally join her family on their outdoor adventures.

“We can have her as part of the family doing all the things that we all love,” Christi said.

Haley thought she was just enjoying a day at the rodeo, until Make-A-Wish rolled out her new ride.

“I love it a lot,” Haley said.

Now, when Haley returns to Bryan, the first thing she plans on doing is taking her tractor to her grandparent’s ranch.

“Now she can be with us as a family all the time with the ability to have the air conditioner. And it’s a perfectly safe environment for her to be out at the ranch,” Christi said.

Granting wishes like Haley’s is about more than just an act of kindness.

“We know that when a kid has something to look forward to, when a kid can have that hope and joy, it gives them the strength to fight through their illness,” Shelly Millwee, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, said.

Millwee said days like this are about the child’s happiness and gives them a chance to have fun and enjoy the magical moments ahead of them.