This weekend, as many as 1000 truck drivers came together to celebrate the birthday of a teen truck enthusiast who is fighting serious health challenges.
Dakota Cadd (known by the nickname “Bubba”) made a name for himself in the trucking community in Milton, Wisconsin, as he sat in his wheelchair in his family’s front yard along Highway 26 so that he could watch and wave at semi trucks passing by.
Bubba, who suffers from Dandy-Walker Malformation and cerebral palsy, became a favorite of local drivers and then the trucking community at large as these local drivers shared his story on social media. Eventually, the “18 Wheels for Bubba” Facebook event was created by truck driver Jeremy Wallenkamp and shared online by thousands of truckers.
To celebrate Bubba’s 16th birthday on August 15, hundreds of members of the trucking community came out on Saturday, August 18, to return the young truck enthusiast’s appreciation. At least 150 trucks and 1000 truck drivers showed up at Schilberg Park in Milton to throw a surprise birthday party for Bubba. Many of the drivers in attendance brought Bubba birthday gifts like t-shirts and toy trucks. He even got a ride back to his home from one of the truckers who attended the party, according to local news station WSAW.
Many drivers who attended the event say that they got as much out of it as Bubba as they watched members of the trucking community come together to make a difference in the life of someone they’d never even met before.
Driver Scott Krogh attended the event and wrote on Facebook, “I’ve been driving for 19 years now, and this is the first time in my driving career I’ve felt like I actually helped make a difference. Yesterday I saw big fancy trucks, plain trucks, dump trucks, small trucks, tow trucks, and it didn’t matter to anyone but a special birthday boy. So many truck drivers and regular citizens come together to celebrate someone they didn’t know. I was moved to tears so many times. To the organizers and family of Dakota, and Dakota I personally want to thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. It’s one I’ll never forget.“