Bailey Turney had dreamed of competing in the White Deer Rodeo for years, and finally, for the 65th season, her family made the haul up from Fairview, Texas, to fulfill that dream. At only 15 this was Bailey’s first year competing, as well as her sister Abby who also ran the barrels Friday night. Unfortunately for Bailey, she started not feeling well even before her Friday night run, but things took a turn for the worse later that evening. What began as mild symptoms of lightheadedness and dizziness turned into seizures that led to a trip to the Emergency Room (ER) for the family where they spent the remainder of their Friday night.
By Saturday morning the family was exhausted and didn’t want to risk another episode, keeping Bailey at their hotel for the majority of the day and out of the heat. By that evening she had begun to feel better and her sister requested she join her for the final night of the White Deer Rodeo, not as a competitor, but just as a spectator. Bailey’s condition had improved so her parents agreed. Bailey spent the evening with family and friends having good clean fun, with no alcohol or drinking involved as is common at most rodeos.
“My daughters don’t drink, smoke, vape, they don’t do any of that stuff,” said Bailey’s father, Jamie Turney.
Mr. Turney has been rodeoing his entire life, but neither himself nor his wife drinks, trying to set an example for their children.
Unfortunately, a few hours later, Bailey’s condition worsened and she slipped into another seizure leading to a near unresponsive state. Luckily for her, a full-scale medical team was on site, mostly consisting of her own family. A good samaritan approached and identified himself as an ER doctor and the group began to render aid, returning her to a more responsive state.
At the time the medical professionals were all in agreance that it appeared to be a hypoglycemic episode. This was something that had never happened to Bailey before. Bailey was later taken to a hospital in Amarillo. It was later determined that Bailey was suffering from low levels of hemoglobin or commonly referred to as Anemia, which is not uncommon in young girls Bailey’s age coming into adulthood. Bailey has been started on a course of vitamins and medications and has scheduled follow-up appointments for further testing with her doctors at home.
Before the terrifying events of the evening, the Turney family had thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the Rodeo.
“Everyone from the rodeo committee that I dealt with was amazing,” said Mr. Turney. “I can’t say enough about them. They were above and beyond nice. One of the best Rodeos I’ve ever been to.”
Mr. Turney and his wife had never been to the area before and received a lot of assistance from the locals regarding Bailey’s condition and where to go. One unnamed paramedic had assisted Bailey both nights during her episodes.
“He was amazing. So nice and so professional,” said Mr. Turney. “I can’t say enough good about that guy. Both nights he went above and beyond to help me and my family.”
As it would later be revealed, the ER doctor who rendered aid to Bailey was Congressman Ronny Jackson, a Texas State Representative. Jackson obtained his MD at the University of Texas Medical Branch and was a physician to the president during both the Obama and Trump administration. Jackson also served in the Navy from 1995 to 2019, during the Iraq War in the Medical Corps Unit. He received several awards during his service for his exemplary performance. It’s safe to say Bailey was in good hands with Jackson and her family of nurses on hand.
“He was just trying to help my kid. I’m above and beyond appreciative. I’d love to shake the man’s hand for helping my daughter,” said Mr. Turney. “I want to thank Ronny, Debbie and Linda for being there and for what they did.”
Statement from the office of Ronny Jackson:
“Congressman Jackson, an ER physician, was attending the White Deer Rodeo on Saturday when he was summoned by someone in the crowd to assist a 15-year-old girl who was having a medical emergency nearby. Dr. Jackson sat in the stands during the entire rodeo, in full view of the assembled crowd, and was not drinking. When Dr. Jackson arrived at the scene, there was a relative, who happened to be a nurse, already providing assistance. Dr. Jackson explained that he was a physician and asked her if she needed help, and she said yes. There were no uniformed EMS providers on the scene at that time. While assessing the patient in a very loud and chaotic environment, confusion developed with law enforcement on the scene and Dr. Jackson was briefly detained and was actually prevented from further assisting the patient. He was immediately released as soon as law enforcement realized that he, as a medical professional, was tending to the young girl’s medical emergency.”
