
Morgan had a plan – to ride a horse in barrel races just like her mother, Carol, used to when she was a teen. She first tried it on an old mare, with the promise of getting a real barrel-racing horse in the future.
Then, in 2008, she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a condition that affects her bone marrow.
Morgan spent the next eight months in and out of the hospital. She was so depressed by the ordeal that it took her awhile to warm up to the idea of having the Make-A-Wish Foundation® grant her wish. She spent most of her time at home, quiet and introverted.
Morgan’s Wish Takes Her Back to Happiness
Finally, and almost reluctantly, Morgan unveiled her wish – to have a barrel horse. It was a wish that took her back to a time before the hospital visits, the treatments, the loneliness, the depression.
Wish granters set out to grant Morgan’s wish. But they were also determined to surprise her. They carefully crafted plans in secret to unveil her wish at a horse show in Memphis. Morgan thought they were just going to the show to help a friend get a horse trailer fixed.
Then, her wish unfolded when the show announcer asked Morgan and her family to come to the middle of the arena. The announcer then announced “Morgan, your wish has come true.”
Generous Teen Offers Horse for Morgan
Morgan then met her new horse and swung into the saddle. According to a horse publication in Tennessee, the 10-year-old mare named Caydo was raised and ridden by a girl Morgan’s age, who is a top barrel racer. The girl was willing to give her horse up for Morgan’s wish, even though she’d ridden the horse since she was just 3 years old.
“There was not a dry eye in the house,” Carol says. “Morgan just kept saying, ‘I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.’”
In addition to the horse, Morgan received free barrel racing lessons. Now, the family spends most of its weekends at horse shows.
Wish Lifts Health, Restores Spirit
Carol says Morgan’s depression has lifted. She is convinced that Morgan’s condition changed at least in part because of the joy her wish brought her.
Morgan is improving so much that she may not need a bone marrow transplant her doctor had planned. Just as importantly, her spirit and personality are returning.
“She’s gone from 48 pills a day to just two a day,” Carol says. “It’s so awesome how she’s able to ride, and even talk back to me a little bit!”

