Sunday, September 27, 1998

Cody Carson is man of few words -- but they are clear thanks to Rehab

By J.T. SMITH

Farm Editor

Like many true cowboys, Cody Carson doesn't say a lot.

But when does, his words are clear as a bell.

The 23-year-old bachelor is a handsome, personable young man and a student of history. His smile can light up a room. He's comfortable in conversation with others at Abilene Auction Inc.

But it sure wasn't always that way before the West Texas Rehabilitation Center in Abilene changed his life.

That's why Carson and his family have a special place deep in their hearts for the WTRC and the vital work it does.

And when Abilene Auction hosts the 39th Annual Cattlemen's Round-Up for Rehab Tuesday, Cody and the rest of the auction staff will do all they can to make this the most successful Round-Up ever.

Carson is the son of Abilene Auction President Randy Carson and Pam Carson of Merkel. He was always a bright, devoted student in school, but it was clear he had big speech problems before he was 10 years old. And Cody just wasn't growing out it. He needed a helping hand.

"Most people weren't able to understand a word I said when I was kid," Carson recalled.

At school or at home, it was frustrating to Cody.

"The 'Rs' as well as a lot of vowels were real trouble for me," Carson recalled. "Especially the 'Rs' -- I just slurred them out."

Randy and Pam sought help for Cody at the Rehab Center through its Speech and Language Pathology Department.

The WTRC changed Cody into an articulate student and individual.

Nowadays, when he yells instructions from horseback while herding cattle down the lanes of the Abilene Auction pens, Cody can be clearly understood -- even at a great distance.

With the huge cattle runs coming to town -- because of the 1998 drought -- Cody has worked all night on Tuesday sale days in recent weeks.

Cody would return for more Rehab treatment

An outstanding and versatile athlete, Carson excelled in football, basketball and baseball at Merkel High.

Carson was quarterback for the Merkel Badgers during his school days. His older sister, Angela, who is today a social worker in San Antonio, was Merkel Homecoming Queen.

But before he graduated from Merkel in 1994, Carson severely injured his knee in a basketball game.

Carson found himself on crutches for three weeks and then underwent six weeks of physical therapy for his knee at the Rehab Center.

That rehabilitation work got Carson on his feet again with an even greater appreciation for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center.

"We're just glad to help the Rehab in any way we can," Carson said after working some cattle from horseback at the auction. "They do so much for so many people."

Abilene Auction has grown too

Like the Rehab Center, itself, Abilene Auction has continued to grow in the area it serves.

In 1994, Randy Carson, along with John W. Michener Jr. and his son, Madison Michener, purchased Abilene Livestock Auction.

Randy had worked at the auction since he was 17 and always had dreamed of some day owning part of the business.

Later, the trio bought Amarillo Livestock Auction in 1995, and Madison Michener now operates that auction.

In early 1998, Abilene Auction Inc. also bought Bowie Livestock Auction.

A total of about 300,000 cattle per year now move collectively through the three auction barns.

Abilene Auction, alone, sold about 90,000 cattle in 1997.

Both Abilene and Amarillo have weekly Tuesday sales, while the Bowie auction has a weekly Saturday sale.

On Tuesday, Abilene Auction will take a break in its regular sale at about 1 p.m. to sell cattle that have been donated for the annual Cattlemen's Round-Up to benefit the WTRC.

Starting in 1960, when the late Fort Chadbourne rancher Conda Wylie cut out some cattle to help the Rehab Center -- his cattle built the Rehab's first therapeutic pool -- the fall Round-Up has become a rich tradition, an integral part of the arrival of fall.

Since 1953, the Rehab Center has served the rehabilitation needs of children and adults. And since 1960, the Cattlemen's Round-Up has brought in more than $7 million for the work of the WTRC.

The Carson family, the Micheners and staff of Abilene Auction invite everyone out to support the Rehab Center.

You don't have to be a cattleman -- donate or buy a cow -- to feel right at home at the auction. Many novelty items, as has become tradition, will be sold. And cash donations in any amount are always welcome.

The traditional 11:30 a.m. lunch of cornbread and beans at the famed Rehab Chuckwagon will precede the Tuesday afternoon auction of Rehab cattle.

It's for sure that if Cody Carson is ever asked to "say a few words" at a cattle sale, the words will -- indeed -- be few.

But thanks to the Rehab Center, they will be clear.