In 2009, the Founder’s mother, Sally Ann Warnshuis, a healthy, active 77-year-old, had been working as a home hospice aid, taking care of two elderly women while they were still younger than sally both women had their own individual health complications. Not wanting to further complicate their health issues, Sally decided to get her first-ever influenza vaccination. Within 24 hours, she suffered near-total physical paralysis. And in two weeks, her condition became life-threatening. The paralysis began shutting down her organs, and a respirator was imminent. Blood work had to be sent off for testing, which came back with inconclusive results. Meanwhile, last rites were given, power of attorney signed, and preparations began.
* Fifteen months, three hospitals, and 7 doctors later, a diagnosis was given and proper treatment commenced. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) – chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). An immune deficiency disorder that attacks the peripheral nerves. GBS has no known cause or cure.
Sally’s remarkable will and undoubted faith remained throughout. Giving testament that no matter the affliction, nor the odds, first and foremost, the patient must have the want/will to survive.
* In 2011, the mission dubbed “Cowboy for a Cure”, headed by the founder, Johnny Warnshuis, was created in honor of his mother. The cross-country journey began in Redding, California, riding one horse and leading another with pack and supplies, destination: New York City. After witnessing firsthand the lack of support his mother had endured, Johnny possessed little to no faith in God or humanity. Consequently, it did not take long to experience peril, and lots of it. The Journey turned into a Quest, and the Destination led to Miracles, restoring spiritual faith, providing the strength and courage to persevere and ride. Becoming what is now the ongoing Campaign, Cowboy for a Cure, raising awareness of GBS while taking on the monumental journey of riding and packing two horses across the country. Johnny and his horses traveled a total of 4,400 officially documented miles coast to coast, covering seventeen states, earning Johnny and his horse, Sandy, a northern Nevada wild Mustang Guinness world record. Johnny told his tales from the trail stories and shared his knowledge of his mother’s bout with GBS, as he learned about others’ hardships along the way. Johnny appeared on local and national news stations, radio talk shows, newspaper headlines, and magazines, while guest speaking at churches, schools, and large groups across the country. He supported and fundraised for the Autism Partnership Foundation, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, along with St. Jude, and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. After Johnny and his horses rode into the Big Apple, they spent the next year continuing the crusade as He and Sandy headed back across the United States. This time with a truck and trailer. Eventually, Johnny settled in Oklahoma, where he built a facility to begin a program that provided therapy and recovery options for those in need, focused on the introduction of horses.