ProRodeo Sports News - October 1, 2021

was making “small talk” with Lori O’Harver, the founder and president of the nonprofit Bronc Riding Nation, a community of friends that supports the bronc riding community. She told me she wanted to do a fundraiser, and I originally said no,” Vezain said. “She told me she ran a nonprofit, and she’s going to do it whether I liked it or not. She started raising funds to help purchase the legs. Then, (NFR) qualifier Mitch Pollock was generous enough to do a bronc riding match and donating the proceeds. Lori got that ball rolling, and a ton of people donated. I’m just so thankful and so stoked to be able to walk every day again.” Shortly after the injury, Aubrey O’Quin of the Pueblo, Colo.-basedWestern Sports Foundation contacted Vezain about participating in a trial with different types of robotic therapy. As it turned out, the foundation was looking for another candidate after Jerome Davis, the 1995 world champion bull rider who was paralyzed from the chest down in a 1998 bull riding accident, was unable to qualify for the study. “They were trying to get Jerome to do the trial, but his bones weren’t dense enough, and I was fortunate to be in good enough shape to still be able to get in it,” Vezain said. “They reached out to me, and I had to basically cover my travel and other than that, it was free rehab to try these out. After about 10 minutes of being in the machine, I told myself I needed one of these at home. You have to have enough bone density and enough muscle mass to be able to get in it, and I passed those tests.”

Photo courtesy Vezain family The battery-operated, 39-pound device is fitted around the waist and legs to allow those with spinal cord injuries, like Vezain, to walk again.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

Once Vezain was well enough to be released from the

hospital-based rehab, he returned home with his wife, who just three weeks before his injury broke the news of her pregnancy with their first child. In May 2019, a son, Ryatt, was born. “Life is completely different in a wheelchair,” Vezain said. “I was at a good spot spiritually when I got hurt, but I had a hard time not seeing the results of my hard work. I’ve never worked at anything harder in my life than walking again.” Vezain has stayed busy at a variety of occupations as he continues to adjust to the change in lifestyle. He has resumed his leatherwork business, judges at a few bull riding events and recently got involved in trading calves and cattle. “Actually, I’m busier now than I was when I was rodeoing,” Vezain said. “Now, I’m actually working instead of playing.” With the ability to walk again with the exoskeleton, Vezain can resume another part of his life. “Now, I can get in the horse pens, feed horses, get in the cow alley and sort calves,” Vezain said. “I’ll be able to do so much more.” Someday, Vezain hopes he can return the favor. “I would love to give back to someone who’s in the same situation I am,” Vezain said. “Hopefully I can encourage and inspire and hand stuff down. I’ve had so much love shone to our family, and I’d love to pass the good along that’s been given to us.”

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ProRodeo Sports News 10/1/2021

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