MEXICO—Bryson Regot of Mexico enjoys hunting, fishing, and taking care of his goats that he shows at the Audrain County 4-H Fair and Missouri State Fair. He had an issue that was preventing him from continuing these activities though. Bryson was born with spina bifida, he has had many surgeries in his life including 11 shunt replacements, an appendix and three leg surgeries. For these reasons, he has been dependent on a wheelchair for mobility. He had outgrown his old wheelchair and the Little Dixie Shrine Club heard about it and decided to help.
Brad Hagan, of the Little Dixie Shrine Club, works for Consolidated Electric and was aware that the company had a charity called “Consolidated Cares.” He contacted them about a grant for the wheelchair that Bryson needed. Consolidated Cares provided a grant of $1,500 and the Little Dixie Shrine donated a little over $1,500 to buy Bryson his new electric wheelchair.
“He needed an electric wheelchair that he could use to take care of his goats and show them at the fairs,” said Rennie Davis. “Being an outdoor person, he likes to hunt so he needed one that was able to traverse rough ground,” he added.
According to their website, moolah.org, Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life and a commitment to philanthropy. They enjoy parades, trips, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions. They support what has been called the “World’s Greatest Philanthropy”—Shriners Hospitals for Children—a network of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals, operated and maintained by the Shriners. All children, up to 18 years old, may be eligible for treatment at Shriners Hospitals if they, in the opinion of the hospital’s chief of staff, could benefit from the specialized care available at Shriners Hospitals. Eligibility is not based on financial need or relationship to a Shriner.
“He was so proud of his new wheelchair he wanted to thank the Shrine Club and Consolidated Electric and show it to them,” said Davis. “Lynn Thompson of Consolidated Electric and several members of the Shrine Club visited his house and received thanks from Bryson and his mother Jamey. Bryson operated the wheelchair and his mother showed them how fast it folded up, and explained that it only weighed about 50 pounds. He has plans to use it for turkey hunting this spring, taking care of his goats and getting around better at school,” added Davis.