Thursday, October 30, 1997
Coleman boy to visit Disney World
JERRY DANIEL REED / Abilene Reporter-News
A Coleman boy who has spent most of his life learning to deal
with a bad situation is about to enjoy a week in the pleasant
surroundings of sunny central Florida.
Collie John Bowman, better known as CoJo, will step aboard
an American Eagle flight Monday with his parents and sisters Monday,
bound for a six-day holiday at Disney World.
The 4-1/2-year-old will enjoy the trip to the world-famous
amusement park as guest of the Make A Wish Foundation of West
Texas. He attended a reception for himself, his family and Make
A Wish officials and benefactors Wednesday afternoon.
Diagnosed with leukemia just after his second birthday, CoJo
has since undergone a repetitive and costly round of trips to
Abilene and Fort Worth for treatments to fight his disease and
boost his vulnerable immune system. But his parents don't complain.
"That's OK," said his father, Marshall Bowman. "He's
worth it, the way I see it -- every penny of it." Besides,
so many good people, including fellow members of Coleman's Trinity
United Methodist Church, have shared the burden, he said.
Used to enduring trips weekly to Abilene and monthly to Fort
Worth for treatment, CoJo finds his upcoming journey to Disney
World a far more exciting prospect.
"He realizes he's going to meet the (Disney) characters,"
explained his father.
Whose face will he first search out at Disney World?
"Mickey Mouse," CoJo replied without hesitation.
"I'm (also) going to see Pooh Bear ... And Piglet ... and
Tigger."
Marshall Bowman said his son's prognosis is hopeful. After
another year of treatment, including painful "backsticks"
to deliver chemo into his spine, the youngster will be switched
to periodic checkups for five years, if all goes well in the meantime.
"One more year, hopefully, God willing, he'll be off the
treatment," the father said.
On his frequent hospitals visits, the boy is picking up considerable
social polish as he converses easily and familiarly with medical
staff members.
"He knows how to make the best of a bad situation,"
said his mother, Jacqueline.
Local Make A Wish representatives provided funding for sisters
M.J., 14, and Charley, 6, to go with their brother and family.
Along with tickets for the six-day stay in Orlando, Make-a-Wish
Foundation of West Texas provided the Bowmans $1,000 spending
money.
Ronnie Richardson, who won a championship belt buckle in last
weekend's 6th Annual Make A Wish Roping, donated that buckle to
CoJo.
Warren Hoye, general manager of American Eagle, and Alan Hicks,
community relations representative, were given certificates of
appreciation for their airline's ever-accommodating service to
Make a Wish beneficiaries.
The roping event netted $12,273, which was presented to Dan
Johnson, executive director of the Odessa-based foundation, in
the form of a very large cardboard check.
CoJo Bowman, 4-1/2, and his sister Charley, 6, enjoy slices
of cake celebrating their upcoming trip to Disney World, CoJo's
wish granted by the Make A Wish Foundation of West Texas. Parents
Marshall and Jacqueline and sister M.J., 14, will accompany the
younger children.
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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