Children’s Miracle Network honors resilient boy
Published: March 16, 2005
The 11-year-old boy didn’t say much Tuesday afternoon, but he sure was smiling.
Todd Daniels of Trout Creek was honored at Missoula’s Costco store, where he received presents and ate pizza and cake with family and friends as a sendoff to Washington, D.C., where he’ll be one of the Children’s Miracle Network’s 50 Foresters Champions Across America.
Todd will leave Wednesday to visit the Capitol and meet with U.S. senators. The next day, he travels to Orlando, Fla., to see Walt Disney World, where he will again be honored.
Todd will be accompanied to Washington by his foster mother, Becky Barrus; his foster brother, Barrack Brawn; and social worker Leona Priest.
When asked when he’ll return, Todd quickly said: “A week and a day. I’ve got that memorized.”
Costco donates money to the Children’s Miracle Network, which in turn donates to the Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena.
“I like (it when) things we do make a difference,” said Doug Homer, Costco’s general manager.
Todd was treated at Shodair for bipolar and attention deficit/hyperactive disorders. He first entered the hospital in 2002 and again in 2003. He was discharged in the spring of 2004.
The Champions Across America program honors children who have persevered despite severe medical challenges.
“Todd never gave up. Even when things weren’t going his way, he was always ready to try again,” said Dr. James Killpack, a psychiatrist at Shodair.
Todd is a foster child at the Open Gate Ranch, where 10 other boys also live. Barrus and her husband, Craig, operate the ranch, which Barrus’ foster father started some 20 years ago.
The ranch is licensed for eight foster children, but Barrus and her husband also care for three adopted children.
Barrus thinks Todd has had his difficulties since birth.
“Normally,” she said, “they don’t show up until adulthood.”
He has a hard time focusing and Barrus said she thinks abuse by his birth parents contributed to that. He also was afraid that men - and his dad - would beat him, she said.
“He wouldn’t take off his coat or backpack,” Barrus said. “He was afraid someone would take it.”
Barrus credits Shodair with his progress. He’s finally in a family now that “Shodair helped him get over that anger,” she said.
Before his trips to Shodair, Todd had more than 20 psychiatric hospitalizations, beginning at age 4.
His difficulties arose in part from birth trauma, doctors said.
At the party Tuesday, Amy Hanser, business development director at Costco, offered her own words of encouragement to Todd.
“Have a great trip,” she said.
“I will,” Todd promised.
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