Kaleb Dorr was born in August, 2007, to Dennis and Kimberly Dorr. Kaleb has an older brother, Bailey, and an older sister, Maci. Kaleb was born with Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome (TAR), which is a rare recessive genetic syndrome that causes a unique blood disorder and limb deformities. When you look at Kaleb, you don’t see a little boy with a handicap; you see a true little cowboy that has defied all the odds. After enduring 10 surgeries (with more to come); approximately 200 plasma transfusions; and countless hospital stays, this little cowboy has the best outlook on life. He wants nothing more than to be a team roper and a calf roper when he grows up. Kaleb is happy, outgoing, and is the first one to tell you “it’ll be ok” when someone else is faced with adversity.
Kaleb with Actor/Director Luke Perry, who portrayed the late World Champion Bull Rider Lane Frost in the movie “8 Seconds” at the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Kaleb’s first Western Wish was at the Dodge National Circuit finals in March, 2011. They had the opportunity to meet some of the contestants; as well as an up-close view of the Express Ranches Stagecoach and horse team.
The next Western Wish they were invited to was the Championship Bull Riding (CBR) event in Tulsa, OK, where Kaleb met former World Champion Bull Rider and owner of CBR, Tuff Hedeman. This was truly a moment for the story books, because Kaleb knew he was meeting one of his heroes.
Rodeo Announcer Bob Feist, Kaleb, and All-Around Champion Trevor Brazile
Kaleb was chosen as the 2011 poster child for Western Wishes and traveled to Reno, NV for the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping (BFI), where he met rodeo announcer Bob Fiest, rodeo all-around legends Larry Mahan and Trevor Brazile, and Caleb Twissleman, just to name a few.
He also had the opportunity to attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV, where he met Actor/Director Luke Perry, WNFR Tie-Down Roper Tuf Cooper, WNFR Team Roper Rich Skelton, and many MANY more cowboys and cowgirls.
The Dorr Family met Casey Colletti after Casey’s first ride at the 2011 WNFR. Casey donated WNFR tickets for the whole family that night. He surprised Kaleb with a cowboy hat from Greeley Hatworks at the Western Wishes reception.
Kaleb with world-renowned horsemanship expert Chris Cox at the first Champion In You Ranch Program hosted by Chris Cox at his Diamond Double C Ranch in Mineral Wells, TX
Casey also made the trip to visit Kaleb and the other kids at the Chris Cox Diamond Double C Ranch in Mineral Wells, TX during the Western Wishes Champion In You Ranch Program; where Kaleb was honored.
Kaleb with Country Music Legend, Mr. George Strait at the 2012 George Strait Team Roping Championship
Kaleb attended the George Strait Team Roping Championship in San Antonio, TX where he was able to meet the King of Country himself, Mr. George Strait!
Kaleb is a Western Wishes Warrior because he simply does not let his disability slow him down. His animated character and bright personality do not go unnoticed by those that meet him. Even at the young age of 4 years old, he has often taken on the roll of mentor at Western Wishes events.
Kaleb knows what it means to give back because he gets to watch his mom, Kimberly, pay it forward by being the Western Wishes Oklahoma Director. Kim has held this position for just over a year and has had the opportunity to host a few wishes already, with another in the works.