PHOTO GALLERY: Brodeo returns
Published 11:04 am Thursday, January 30, 2025
Braylla Guidry, a student at South Beauregard Elementary, rides her stick-horse in the pole bending event at the third annual Brodeo on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, held at the Burton Coliseum. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Conner Miller, a student at Lacassine High School, and Bell City High School rodeo team member Katie Abshire race against each other on steer roping carts at the third annual Brodeo held at the Burton Coliseum on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Khosten Derouen, a student at Starks High School, enjoy mutton bustin with the help of Welsh High School student Campbell Leblanc at the third annual Brodeo on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Sam Houston High School 4H member Alara Sanders watches at Elijah Prince, a St. John Elementary student, brushes a shetland pony on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at the Brodeo held at Burton Coliseum. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Bell City students Ian Zaunbrecher and Haven Labove pet a cow on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at the third annual Brodeo held at Burton Coliseum. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Jennings Elementary student Arshon Brown rides a steer cart across the arena floor at Burton Coliseum on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 during the third annual Brodeo. The special needs children rodeo is held in honor of Brody Meaux, who died in 2019. He had MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Each year, JoAnn and Jimmy Meaux organize an all-day event to celebrate the life of their son, Brody Meaux, who passed away at 20 due to complications from MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. MECP2 Duplication Syndrome presents significant challenges, including low muscle tone during infancy, developmental delays, severe intellectual disabilities, progressive spasticity, and the gradual loss of bodily functions, often requiring lifelong care. JoAnn described the syndrome as one that impacts “every aspect of the human body.” The Brodeo honors Brody’s memory and serves as a platform to raise awareness and understanding of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome while providing a space for fun for special needs children in Southwest Louisiana.
