78-16-A6

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Horse and Rider II

Transcript This is more about Jim Hendricks, paraplegic, and the horse Calvin he rides at fairs and rodeos. I'll be right back. On the last broadcast, I told of how Jim Hendricks, a paraplegic as the result of an accident, decided to take up horseback riding. He mortgaged his mobile home to buy an unbroken horse and truck to haul his horse. He found an ex-trick rider, now blind, who taught his unbroken horse to lie down so he could be mounted and to do a number of tricks. Then Jim and his horse Calvin went out on the circuit playing rodeos, horse shows and fairs. They received a fee but actually only broke even with feed bills and the hiring of an assistant at each stop. In fact, Jim never took a motel or hotel room but slept in the stable with Calvin but they were having fun and life had a purpose. His support was from Social Security Disability, out of which he paid the installments on his mortgage. Then last August, Jim and Calvin came in off the road and found his disability had been cut off because he had missed a medical re-examination. He was told he'd have to appeal the decision and that would take three or four months, but then they added that even if he won, the appeal and was declared medically eligible, he still wouldn't get any checks because he'd become a performer. They turned a deaf ear when he explained he didn't actually make any money, that he was doing it to encourage other handicapped people. Finally the bank notified him that unless he could resume payments on his loan they'd have to take his mobile home, his truck and Calvin. Trainer Bud Jones says that would probably mean the slaughterhouse for Calvin because he won't let anyone but Jim ride him. Others have tried and been thrown. Calvin seems to be more understanding than the people at Social Security. He has a sixth sense about his handicapped owner and takes care of him. Jim has begged the bank to take his trailer and his truck but not Calvin. He says, "I'd lay down my life for that horse. He's everything to me. He's my pleasure and my protector. He's given me a purpose in life since my accident." Jim feels his back is to the wall. If his disability isn't restored, there's no way that he and Calvin can go on. As he puts it, "I'm the type, I don't worry if it's just a can of beans on the table for supper, so they can come and take everything to my name. But I don't know how I'll get along if they come and take my best friend away. Anyone who rides knows how Jim Hendricks of Pleasantview, Illinois feels. Social Security computers can't know nor apparently can any of those desk jockeys who live by the book. I wonder how many discouraged and depressed people with handicaps have been encouraged to find a purpose in life after seeing Jim Hendricks as Hopalong, the world's only paraplegic cowboy and his horse Calvin. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.		Details Batch Number 78-16-A6 Production Date 11/28/1978 Book/Page RPtV-375, SihoH-74 Audio Yes Youtube? No
		Added Notes So, have you heard of Jim Hendricks... (HorseAndMan.com blog post)