Tony Bell

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2009 Great Comebacks Recipient, Central Region  

Born with a defect of his colon, Tony Bell received an ostomy immediately after birth. A few years later, the ostomy was reversed, but, after years of struggling with incontinence, 9-year-old Tony received a permanent colostomy. All of a sudden, this inactive, withdrawn boy who was scared to leave his home was ready to saddle up and grab life by the horns.

In control of his body – and his life – at last, an empowered Tony embraced a bright future – one he hoped would include a career as a professional bull rider. He wasted no time, mounting his first bull at the age of 10. As Tony trained for rodeo events, he also pursued his love of music. In fact, as a high school senior, he was chosen to join the elite Kansas Ambassadors choir on a European tour.

While attending college on a singing scholarship, Tony went pro on the rodeo circuit and competed professionally for two years, even riding in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, known as “The Daddy of Them All”. Having achieved this childhood dream, Tony has set his sights on a new goal, following in his parents footsteps to become a teacher.

Through it all, Tony says he drew tremendous strength from his parents, who taught him to be resilient and to bounce back from whatever life threw his way. He also credits his “second family,” Youth Rally, a summer camp for adolescents with an ostomy, for helping him through some rough patches in his life. He now returns each summer as a counselor and enjoys “paying it forward” by providing support and encouragement to campers.

Today, Tony, 28, lives in Harveyville, KS where he works on the family farm and is only a few credits shy of his special education teaching degree. Although Tony didn’t end up a country music star, he channels his passion and performs in a barbershop quartet with his dad. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys skydiving and noodling (fishing for catfish with your bare hands!). “I want to share with the world my story of success so that others with life-changing conditions know that they are not alone,” said Tony. “No matter what comes your way, always reach for the stars and grasp your dreams – they are only a bull ride away.”