PALOUSE, Wash. – Ten years ago, Zoey Hodson was born with a rare spinal condition, doctors believed she would never walk on her own. But, with the help of Shriners Children’s Spokane she is walking in stride. Now, the ten-year-old is giving back to the hospital that helped her beat the odds.
And she’s giving back in a unique way. How?
“I raised my steer, and I sold him at the Palouse Empire Fair,” Zoey Hodson said.
In September at the Palouse Empire Fair, Hodson sold her steer, Fire, that she raised on her family’s farm in Palouse for over $16,000. With extra donations from her community, that number grew to just over $18,000. Inspirationally, Zoey decided to donate all of this money to Shriners Children’s Spokane, to help kids just like her.
“It amazes me every single time a patient wants to raise money and give back to patients. Zoey sees that, and she was able to raise this money for the steer donation,” Shriners Senior Director of Philanthropy Bill Gross said.
On her family’s farm, 150 acres of land, weaved through the rolling hills of the Palouse, Zoey has learned values that she will take her through life; hard work, dedication, and friendship. And it is because of these values, she was able to raise her steer.
“Just these experiences living on a farm is amazing, for kids, especially something that she looks forward to everyday and she can do by herself,” Jackie Hodson, Zoey’s mom, said.
Independence is something that hasn’t come easy to Zoey in her ten years. Why? Because she was born with the rarest form of Spina Bifida, meaning, she’s missing part of her spine. Ten years ago, doctors believed Zoey would never be able to walk on her own.
But now, with the help from Shriners, she is walking in stride. How? Braces, attached to both of her legs.
“And without Shriners, she cannot walk without them, and they provide those for her,” Hodson said. “She’s one lucky kid to have such a great care team at Shriners and everywhere we go, making her dreams successful.”
And now – Zoey is giving back. Just ten years old, and already making the world of a difference. And come next year – she might just do it again.
“Who’s in the back getting ready for next year’s fair,” her mom asked.
“Rockstar,” Zoey replied.
“Her new steer’s name is rockstar is for next year,” Hodson said.
