Madelyn’s Sky High Adventure
In the words of her mother
Madelyn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Rhabdoid tumor of the kidney in March of 2023. Her treatments would go on for 9 long and terrifying months. Music was her therapy! She had her karaoke microphone, and she sang and performed her days away! Without her escape into music we would have been left with some lonely, depressing days. Parker McCollum and Taylor Swift were her salvation. Let me start by saying we are a country music family and have been huge Parker fans for years. My husband might tell you that my kids and I are borderline obsessed. We listen to his music daily and on repeat and follow his life on Instagram. A common family dinner conversation at our house includes…Did yall see that Parker was….? Did yall see the post about Parker’s new song coming out?? Yes, in the Daigle household we all think that we are on a first name basis with Parker McCollum. Well on November 22 that became a fact!
When we arrived at the gates of Spitzer Ranch on Nov. 22, we were met by two escorts…Cullen Spitzer and Parker McCollum! Everyone was excited about our weekend but when I turned around and saw the giddy looks on all my kid’s faces, the moment was priceless. We received a warm welcome from Parker, Brittany, and the Spitzer and Van Zuthem families. After the introductions Madelyn was swept away on a weekend of nonstop adventures.
Cullen and his staff got Madelyn acclimated to shooting a gun and hitting a target. Something she had never done before! She was set up in a blind that afternoon with hunting companions, Parker McCollum and Garrett, who runs the ranch. Before the sunset that evening Madelyn had got her buck! A gorgeous animal that would bring most lifelong deer hunters to their knees. Amazing!
We rounded out the evening with a delicious meal and sitting around the campfire enjoying great company, the view of the beautiful ranch animals and the magnificent stars in the South Texas sky. The evening got even better when Parker broke out his guitar! He played, sang, and told stories while we all watched in awe…a dream moment for this family of Parker fans. At the end of the evening he presented Madelyn with the guitar and even signed it with a message to her. Best night ever!
Day two of our adventure was packed with fun and once in a lifetime moments. Madelyn’s older brother Nicholas got his chance at a dream hunt in which Parker also joined him. And while he enjoyed every moment of his morning it just wasn’t his time. The day continued with the entire crew participating in skeet shoot competitions, tours around the ranch, views of the stunning wildlife, horseback riding and great food. Just when we thought the day would slow down, a helicopter arrived! The pilot introduced himself and asked Madelyn if she wanted to take a ride. I could not believe my eyes when without skipping a beat Madelyn, Nicholas, and Abigayle all took their opportunity for their helicopter adventure and a bird’s eye view of the Spitzer Ranch and South Texas landscape.
Later that evening Nicholas got his second chance hunt, and this time was successful. This is a moment that Nicholas will play over and over again in his head for a lifetime. The day he snagged an Oryx!
Our weekend at Spitzer Ranch was a dream come true on so many levels. The people we met, the things we saw and experienced will never be forgotten. After two of the scariest years in all of our lives, this adventure was full of happiness and excitement for Madelyn and the entire family.
We love you Sky High, Cullen and Jodie Spitzer, Parker McCollum and all of the donors who made this weekend possible.