Troopers don their Santa suits

Christmas is a season of joy,love, giving, and so much more.
Two Eunice children - Tiffany Rozas and Braden Vidrine - had their “Santa Wish list” written and ready in hopes of receiving something special this year.
And they will... thanks to Troop I LSTA Grant-A- Wish program.
The Troop I LSTA Grant-A-Wish program is a non-profit organization which provides children with terminal or life-threatening, or handicapped, severly injured children, with his/her wish.
It is funded by donations from companies and businesses and two annual fundraisers a year- Troop I Wish Golf Tournament and the Troop I Grant A Wish Skeet Shoot.
Tiffany Rozas, 13, an eighth-grader at Eunice Junior High, received her Christmas wish -- A wii, along with an 80 games app, and a 42” Sanyo TV.
Rozas at 6 months of age suffered traumatic injury. As a result, she suffers from seizures, has no left brain function, and is partially paralyzed on the right side of her body due to brain damage.
Despite her limited capabilities, Tiffany “shines” everyday. Her mother Annie Rozas added, “You would never know it. Once you meet Tiff... you will never meet a more loving happy child. She loves everyone.”
Tiffany has a child specific aide that assists her because she cannot be left alone and there are certain limitations and duties she has to have help with on a daily basis.
Annie said, “She loves school, her Build-A-Bear, loves to read, watch movies, color and piece puzzles together.”
Tiffany has had two leg surgeries during the past couple of years. Annie added, “These surgeries were extremely painful and she spent almost a year in leg casts and during this past year she has been experiencing more seizures.
Annie is employed as a Computer Lab Facilitator at Glendale Elementary.
Braden Vidrine, a seven- year-old, has his “Santa Wish list” ready. His wish is to receive a computer.
Vidrine, suffers from Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21).
He is in a special training program at East Elementary.
His parents, Gary and Lisa Vidrine, take their part in a special training program in the school system. The Vidrines also pay for additional therapeutic staff support.
Braden does not speak and his therapist advised the family of a specialized computer which would assist Braden with his learning communication day-to-day skills.
Through the Grant-A-Wish program Braden received a specialized computer.
However, with many of Braden’s medical expenses, this computer will not be covered by insurance and is not within the means of the Vidrines budget.
Sgt. David Anderson along with Troop I LSTA Grant-A-Wish board member State Trooper Shannon Lavergne were on hand with wrapped Christmas gifts for the two recipients.
Lavergne said, “The therapist feels much of the same tasks can be accomplished with the new Apple I Pad 2. If we can provide funding for the device, the therapist will load it with all the necessary lesson and educational programs.”
Braden’s parents are Sgt. Gary Vidrine, of the Department of Public Safety Weights and Standards; and Lisa Vidrine, who is Director of Homeland Security-St. Landry Parish.