10/12/06 Giving back

Giving Back Today I have a story about two super citizens. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with the story. Two mentally and physically strong tough guys both had part of their physical prowess taken away, but that didn't stop them from continuing headlong into life and contributing to others. Mike Utley, who lives in our area, was a Detroit Lions offensive lineman when a football injury partially paralyzed him in 1991. Jerome Davis was a 1995 world champion bull rider but a 1998 bull riding accident left him partially paralyzed also. Jerome, along with his wife, Tiffany, took a deep breath and started the successful Davis Rodeo Company. Now, that's a nice accomplishment in its own right, but the quality that sets Jerome apart is his giving back to the youth attending his and Tiffany's Davis Rodeo Camp. Young riders learn the responsibility of caring for horses, how to handle cattle and basic rodeo skills. Older students learn more advanced horsemanship and rodeo techniques. Mike Utley has channeled his energy into becoming a fine motivational speaker and founding the Mike Utley Foundation dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis. Four years ago, Mike and his wife, Dani, began organizing a bike ride for the Foundation. This year, over 750 participants were in the ride including Mike and other disabled cyclists riding hand cycles. You know, there's a lesson to be learned from these two strong men who accepted their handicaps as part of life and still give back to others. I'm Jeff Keane. America's Horse Sept./Oct. 2006 The Wenatchee World 10/2/06