The following story and pictures are by Bill Ojala as printed in Range Times, October 23, 2008
Last Friday morning, Matt Fuller and his family waited patiently for vehicles to drive into Chris Holcomb's driveway to deliver a wish made by Matt as he lay ill with acute myeloid leukemia in the children's unit of the Fairview-University Hospital in Minneapolis. Matt was diagnosed with the disease last March and he was hospitalized for the treatment until late September. The disease is now in remission and Matt is making a good recovery.
The wait ended at 10:20 with a blaring of horns and a siren and three pickup trucks entered the driveway on the Stepetz road. A visibly excited Matt went to the door where he was greeted with a firm handshake from Jim Wensel, a wish parent and foundation volunteer. The ATV was promptly unloaded by Jim, Mark Fredin, a local Conservation Officer, and Len Hardy, representing the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota.
Mark Fredin presented Matt with literature from the DNR covering riding safety and hunting rules and regulations. Jim also presented Matt with a helmet, a gas gift card and a gift card good for the purchase of additional safety equipment. Len presented Matt with a fully paid up membership in the association, a cap, a sweatshirt and a subscription to the Minnesota Off Road magazine.
Pictures were taken and greetings exchanged as Matt waited for the chance to take the machine out on a trial ride. Instructions were given to Matt and he finally got to ride the vehicle into the woods behind his mother's home and back into the yard.
Other good things were also happening during the months Matt was in the hospital in Minneapolis. His mother, Chris, is an RN at the Virginia Hospital and employees were donating vacation time for Chris so she could spend time with Matt and keep her health insurance plan in effect. Chris has her own ATV and now she and Matt can ride together on the forest trails that surround their property south of Aurora. |
