Written by Amanda Coers – Cade Perkins is a seemingly unstoppable little boy who’s been ready for his first Youth Fair for some time. And while the road to the big Brown County show in January is full of hard work for all the youth involved, Perkins has overcome many obstacles to share the arena with his peers.
After a diagnosis of Down Syndrome when he was born on February 25, 2008, Cade’s medical journey began.
Almost a year after he was born, Cade needed surgery to repair a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of his heart. This was his first opportunity to shine like a true champion. Cade was in the hospital only 5 days, surprising his medical team and family with his quick recovery, all while flashing his wide smile.
However with heart surgery behind him, his biggest challenge lay ahead. Two years after his heart surgery Cade was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It was January 13, 2011, and his family was participating in the Brown County Youth Fair. His parents, Chad and DeAnn, rushed Cade to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, while their daughter, Codi, stayed behind to show the family’s goats. Just 13 years old, she won Reserve Champion that year in the Market Goat Division.
“The families all took her in, and made sure she got where she needed to be,” said Cade and Codi’s grandmother, Butch Perkins. “Everyone at the youth fair is just one big family.”
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Codi has consistently placed high in every Brown County Youth Fair since. Last year was her final year to show as a senior, and she signed off with a Grand Champion belt buckle for her winning Market Goat. She’s currently a freshman at Tartleton University, studying agriculture.
Today it was finally time for Cade to take his turn in the ring and carry the well-known Perkins name. That alone would be special enough, but today was also significant for another reason: it was Cade’s six year “cancer-versary,” marking the 6th anniversary of his cancer diagnosis. What was a dark day six years ago has turned very bright for Cade Perkins.
“We’re in a much different place than where we were six years ago,” says his mom, DeAnn. “You never think that your child would get cancer, it was just a punch in the gut.” DeAnn recalled the pain of having to leave their daughter with trusted friends and family to continue the youth fair while they grappled with the news of Cade’s cancer.
“Stock showing is part of who our family is, and while there was no question that we would be with Cade, we hated to leave Codi.”
Cade spent over a month at Cook Children’s Hospital. On February 16, 2011, he returned home to his beloved sister, Codi and the animals he loves. There was still a long road to recovery for Cade, who continued to make weekly and bi-weekly trips for several months to the Hematology/Oncology clinic in Fort Worth.
In July of 2011, Cade spent 2 weeks living in the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth as he went through an intense round of chemotherapy. He finished his maintanence chemotherapy treatments in March 2013, and now looks forward to once a year visits to keep an eye on his progress. Through it all, he’s asked his family, “Is it Cade’s turn, is it Cade’s turn?” to show the family’s livestock at the youth fair.
“Now it is finally Cade’s turn,” said DeAnn. “He’s practiced for several years at the barn, while sister was working her show animals.”
Under the careful guidance of his dad, Cade has worked hard to prepare for Thursday’s Market Goat Show. His work has paid off. Cade was awarded First Place and Third Place, showing two goats in the Heavy Weight Market Goat Division. His dad was rewarded with plenty of kisses from Cade as he knelt beside him on the show floor.
Affection and determination are just two of the traits that keeps Cade going through it all. “That’s just who he is,” said his mom. “He’s a great kid, very loving, and pretty determined. It’s not so much how he faces problems, but how he encourages others around him. You don’t have a bad day when Cade is around, he can always make you smile.”
