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Raised in foster care from a young age, we find out how Tristen and his brothers came to find their forever home and even found part of their village in the golfing world when 4-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Palmer heard about Tristen’s story- he knew he had to help.
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Ryan Palmer Foundation | Tee to Dream | GolfPass
We have arrived in Fort Worth, Texas to introduce you to Tristan and his family. Dad is Kevin and Daddy is Whit. Raised in foster care from a young age. We find out how Tristan and his brothers came to find their forever home. At first, I was just like nervous cuz I was like, who are these people that I’m with right now? and even found part of their village in the golfing world. What a round for Ryan Palmer. Yes. Great to hang in, Ryan. I guess all I knew is that Ryan Palmer was a big golfer and that he supported the most orthodontics. Fourtime PGA Tour winner Ryan Palmer created the Ryan Palmer Foundation 21 years ago. You know, my biggest thing with with charity work when I started doing it is I wanted the impact immediately. And with the help of his wife, Jennifer, a former dentist. Good to see you guys. You went great. Oh, hey. They created the Brighter Smiles Initiative, which provides dental services to qualifying kids and teenagers in need. My lower lip used to stick out more than my upper lip. If he had to get it fixed later on because of pain, they actually have to break his jaws and then wire them shut. And it’s no bueno for anybody. I guess I just felt embarrassed because I I didn’t want anybody to make fun of me. When Ryan heard about Tristan’s story, he knew he had to help. That’s pretty pretty impressive. And um Sorry. Yeah. You know, reading a story about his life and what the family he has now is doing for him, that’s got more meaning than you can imagine. The Ryan Palmer Foundation, I would have to say, is like the ultimate pay it forward. Today we are bringing Ryan and Tristan together for a one-of-a-kind experience. Angel Ford, now let it go. Nice. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Good job, Tristan. And a special surprise. I don’t know what to say other than thank you. That’s enough. Yeah, you got it, buddy. You look great. I’m Cheyenne Woods and this is Tea to Dream. What I know about golf and our family is there’s an old expression that it takes a village to raise a child. All I want for the kids is to be happy. Yeah. I hope that they can move past the traumas of their early life. Maybe they had a rocky foundation, but I hope that we’ve been able to repair it to as stable and solid as it can be to allow them to live their best life. Well, the kids through no fault of their own find themselves in a position of being removed from their family, their parents usually because of I guess the number one is substance abuse by the parents. Where we lived before we came here, it was kind of always messy and there wasn’t always food to eat, which then turns into neglectful supervision, which then turns into problems at school, problems at home, basic things, food, clothing, shelter. I would always have to sometimes go in the kitchen and find something. But here, I don’t have to worry about it being messy or not having food to eat. So, it’s just a better place to be in general. 7 8 years ago, I was made aware of a need for foster parents by someone who works within the fostering and adoption agency. I wanted to help in whatever way I could. And she very flippantly told me to go get licensed to be a foster parent, assuming that we would probably never do it. So when I came home, I told Kevin, "Hey, here’s what we’re doing." And so thus began our journey and uh pedled through all of the hurdles and did everything we needed to do to to get our license to be foster parents. At one point in the process after we took our classes and we had to do supervised observation with kids in foster care and so to knock out a large window. I think we needed 20 hours. We decided to do 8 hours at a group home. At first I was not really scared, just like nervous cuz I was didn’t know these the two people. It’s like who are these people that I’m with right now? Well, we didn’t know what their story was. It couldn’t be good. And I think for me too, how quickly they attached to someone that can be trusted and um it just it moved me. It they were just regular kids. Yeah. You know, whatever preconceived ideas that we had before that day, they were just regular kids. Everything is changing. So since the homemade car, what color is it? When Kevin and Wyn got the call about Tristan and his brothers, they weren’t able to take in all the siblings at that time. Tristan’s youngest two brothers were being fostered at another home nearby. While Wyn and Kevin took in Tristan and his brother Hayden. When we would ask Tristan or Hayden who they missed most in life, their answer was always the same. More than their mom or dad, they miss their brothers the most. The four of them always got to see each other at least weekly. And when I would take him to the visits, the foster mom for Jackson and Grayson was always there. And she and I got to know each other and got close enough and comfortable enough to where we would go pick Jackson and Grayson up and they would spend the weekend with us. Usually when we go on the weekends, we go sometimes to the zoo, urban air and play sometimes, but sometimes we just go to like the Clark Gardens and for like festivals and stuff and we just go hang out at places. After about a year, we started hearing about optional placements for the kids. the little boys were going to go to live with one family and Hayden was going to go live with another family and Tristan was going to be placed in a group home because he was 10 and he had some issues because of his situation where he had some behavioral outbursts because you know the people that he trusted more in life had let him down and so he was rightfully angry. So, we really did some soularching to say, "What can we do to keep these four kids together forever?" I was taken out of campfire cuz that’s where we were at the that day to go talk to the judge and my opinions and I had said something along the lines of staying here would be best for me and my brothers. We found out on my birthday that we had the all clear was a Friday and so we said we’ll take the first available and they said well we’ll see you Monday. So we went and stood in the same courtroom that next Monday and uh February 13th. Just knowing that you’re in a better place than you were before I guess just helps it out a little bit. Knowing that you’re safer, you’re in a better environment, a better place, better schools, actually having food every day. It’s just it’s just better. While dealing with the struggles of foster care and having to be strong for his younger brothers, Tristan was also going through difficulties of his own. Problems with his teeth and speech were becoming more apparent as he got older. Tristan’s dental issues were brought to us and he also needed a speech. It wasn’t just as simple as having pretty straight teeth. My lower lip used to stick out more than my upper lip. The insurance that the children have as foster children is a a basic state insurance. No cosmetic dentistry. We were not able because at that time we were foster parents. We had no parental authority. So regardless of money, uh, we were not allowed to do it. Your teeth are a main thing that people see when you’re talking to them or when they’re actually just like looking at you. I guess I just felt embarrassed cuz I didn’t want anybody to make fun of me. When found out about the Ryan Palmer Foundation and the Bright Smiles initiative through another child they were fostering in earlier years. The family reached out trying to get help for Tristan and met Dr. Chris Sweden. Yeah, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the Brighter Smiles project for many years now. I’ve known Ryan Palmer for a long time. We grew up together in Emerila, Texas. And as his career has progressed, he started the Ryan Palmer Foundation. And, you know, at that same time, my career was progressing as a dentist. And, you know, he was trying to help, you know, create smiles for children with the broader smiles initiative. And it just kind of made sense for us to join up and take care of some kiddos that can’t really afford braces. you know, some of them will be getting made fun of or they don’t have any means or they’re in foster care. So, we teamed up and we just really wouldn’t take care of some kiddos that wouldn’t have that unless without the Ron Palmer Foundation. Tristan had to go through an interview process and write a letter telling why he needed dental help. Tristan and most of the Ron Palmer applicants, or not most of them, all of them will write a letter cuz I want to know what braces are going to do for them or how their smile is going to change their life. I would like to know what your feelings are. and Tristan back in the day wrote us a letter and why I want braces. Hi, my name is Tristan Bird. The reason I want braces is because I have crooked teeth. I also want braces so that I can have straight teeth and so I can have healthy teeth. So, when I’m in middle school, I don’t get made fun of for having crooked teeth. Dr. Sweden called and talked to me. He talked to Tristan directly. Uh, I heard a lot of yes sers on my end. Uh, and I assumed he did well on the interview because then he was accepted into the program. And normally, this is a pretty complex case, but I was like, we have the team specialist. Let’s get after this. Let’s help Tristan out. They said before he could even have braces, they were going to have to correct an underbite. And and they said at his age, the the younger the better, but at his age, it was a 50/50 chance that it would work. And if not, the alternative was breaking a jaw. you know, we caught it early enough to where we can actually use braces to fix this and kind of hold the bottom jaw where it’s at and let the top jaw progress and advance as he grows. So, that’s exactly what we did. If, in fact, we didn’t catch this early, if he had to get it fixed later on because of pain or any of those symptoms I was telling you about. They actually have to break his jaws and then wire them shut. And it’s no bueno for anybody. It was a little bit weird because like I had to get used to feeling the metal on my lips. Um, and I had pain at the beginning and I couldn’t really eat that much for the first week. I had like only mashed potatoes. He did it. He did it very successful. It worked 100%. and he um he was able to get get his braces on and he did did well on that and his speech cleared up almost oh gosh within 6 months. Yeah. Uh and he was in fifth grade and so that was becoming very um aware for him with his other peers and stuff. My least favorite part would probably be every single time I got them tightened cuz I would have like a little bit of pain for like a day or two. But my favorite part would probably be getting them put on and knowing that my teeth will be better afterwards. Okay. All righty. You ready? You ready? One, two, three. Take a look there. Just another thing to help me look better. What do you think? Good. You look good. Okay. Good deal. The progress that it’s in has really helped his his confidence. um he’s on stage a lot with with theater. So that that’s a big part of it, too. I just like trying new things. So when I tried theater out for the first time, I was like, I’m actually kind of good at this and I like it. So I just kind of stuck to it. Here a couple months ago, we did Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and I was Grandpa Joe in that. Then he was not singled out anymore at school. he didn’t have to be pulled out of class to go meet with a speech therapist at school because that’s state law. And so ju just one more area where he was able to mainstream. We do like to try to stay in touch with the parents or the kiddos for sure and just inspire them because you know they truly have have been bullied or have been humiliated and now that they have this round Palmer Foundation to fix their teeth man it really changes their lives and yes we do like to try to stay in touch with them and I know the the dad pretty well after going through all this so we’ll definitely keep in touch and and wish them well. The Ryan Palmer Foundation, I would have to say, is like the ultimate pay it forward kind of. You know, we we encourage uh to do nice things for people that you don’t know. And I’d say that’s kind of the epitome of what was done for Tristan specifically, but for us as a family was that the Ryan Palmer Foundation didn’t know who the recipient was. Just put the money out there and got the team together and other people to make sure that they fix this kid’s teeth. And there’s your champions. And just a nice day for both John Rob and Ryan Palmer. I guess all I knew is that Ryan Palmer was a big golfer and that he supported the most orthodontics and that he’s the one that supported uh my braces and paid for them because of the Ryan Palmer Foundation. We’re getting back to where we started. Why did we become foster parents? Is it hard to leave them? You know, because you don’t always know the impact that you have. I’m sure Ryan has no idea what impact he has. You know, he funds it and gets it done and then that kid’s life is forever changed. We couldn’t talk about the Ryan Palmer Foundation without coming to his home course, Colonial Country Club for the Charles Schwab Challenge. Ryan is a local and Tristan lives just down the street. So, here’s the plan. We’ve got Ryan and Tristan meeting us on the putting green, and Ryan will give him a putting lesson among all the other PJ tour professionals for a one-of-a-kind introduction to the game. Welcome to your first PJ Tour event, Tristan. How does it feel? Nervous. Nervous. I am nervous. And this is your first time at a golf course, right? Yes, ma’am. Okay. And we’re going to roll a few putts while we wait for Ryan. Yes, ma’am. Okay. Okay. So, we’re going to take the ball right here, and you’re going to put your feet here, and that’s going to be our target. Yes, ma’am. Move those out of the way. I like the left hand. Low grip already. Very nice. Tap that one in. Very good. That was a good one. Golf is a very feeloriented sport. So, it’s see the hole, putt the hole, and a lot of visualization. I like golf because it helps me relax. What’s relaxing about golf to you? Just not having to worry about anything. Yes. And kind of just nice. Let’s try another one. We can hit this one right here. We hit a couple in a row. It’s nice to be outside away from everything. Quiet. Do you feel that way in theater as well? Yes, ma’am. Before your next putt, we have someone who’s going to come and help us a little bit. I want you to meet Ryan Palmer here. Nice to meet you, Tristan. What’s up, man? Good. How are you? How you doing, bud? Good. How are you doing? Good. You’re looking good. Thank you. I can tell that. That’s awesome. You uh Hey, Cheyenne. Hey, Ryan. Nice to see you, too. We’ve been working on a couple things. Good. I’ve been hitting them a little bit too far to the right and a little bit too strong. Yeah. So, this is his first time at a golf course. First time ever. So, he’s done putt putt, but we’ve been learning putting in golf, but and jumped right into cross-handed. Yeah. The first time when stories come into our our office and then, you know, Dr. Chris Swain is a lifelong friend who I’ve known since we were kids and the work he does and we talk about it all the time. And when you read these stories about, you know, what they went through, what they’ve gone throughout their life, and then they’re put in a a home or home environment and then we’re able to to give these kids what they wouldn’t get before. I mean, I’ve read stories of kids that are they go to school with hoodies on and they’re just so ashamed of where they look and bullied and then you get to read the stories after the fact and that that’s pretty pretty impressive. And um sorry, yeah, I’m an emotional guy, but uh you know, my biggest thing with with charity work when I started doing it is I wanted to impact immediately. I mean, there’s so many things we could do for charity. You we see so many great things throughout the cities we go to on tour, but this is something I wanted to do where I had immediate impact. And when we started this uh our brighter smiles, my wife being a dentist, we uh it was a easy thing to do just to give back to see kids and the stories we’ve read and the the lives we’ve changed. It brings tears and warmth to your heart. You know, reading a story about his life and and what the family he has now is doing for him. Um that uh that’s got more meaning than you can imagine. What are some of your go-to tips that you like to tell amateur golfers? Especially beginning, there’s a lot of I mean, one begins with this. You obviously found the comfort in a cross-handed grip, right? Yes, sir. So, if we were going to go in to working on putting right now, the biggest thing I do was get get comfortable, which obviously this is the grip you like. Mhm. So, what I do is probably have you come down a little bit more on the grip. Put a little bit more bend in your knees. Bend at the waist a little bit more. This kind of just like this. Kind of stay a little bit more. Okay. Hands up a little bit right there. Not so tight either. Keep your hands nice and loose. Then just let the putter go. The hard the hardest thing to learn is is aiming because when I’ve seen when I’ve helped my kids and and my wife as well, the hardest thing to have is aiming cuz it’s something you never done, right? Yes, sir. So, the biggest thing is coming back and getting an idea where you want this line. So, we’ll use a line this time. So, when you line that line, see those lines? Mhm. Yes, sir. Right. And straight. So, we’re going to do put your hands forward just a little bit. No, keep your body where you’re at. I want your hands to go forward. Just right there. This is the hardest part is getting the right aim that you want cuz you you got a putt that’s going to move left. So, hands forward. Now, let it go. Nice. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I did it. Good job, Tristan. Well, I love how we have it all dialed in. We’re gonna bring in Tristan’s dads now so that they can meet Ryan and see all the work we’ve done on the green. I’m with Nice to meet you. Good to meet you guys. Kevin. Kevin. Nice. Nice to meet you. So, they’ve been able to see firsthand the difference that it’s made in Tristan’s life to be able to have the help of the Ryan Palmer Foundation. This was a great opportunity for Tristan. So, so definitely thank you. Well, that’s awesome. That’s that’s what we love to do. Um, and with Tristan, it wasn’t just wasn’t just braces and straightening teeth. There was more to it. It was his his job. Oh, it was a whole correction of his of his of his face. Which corrected a speech problem that he had under bite which correct his teeth look fantastic now. Yeah, they do. And look at the smile on your face. Even better. So, uh, he’s got a great Now we’ll get you on the golf course more often. There we go. And you’ll smile more. I think you lit a fire. I really do. There we go. Well, thank you guys again and we’re excited for Ryan Palmer Foundation and everything that you do very much. So, thank you guys. It’s great having Tristan here to the Charles Swap Challenge at Colonial. This is my home course where I play. So, uh, couldn’t have picked a better spot to have you out. Thank you for having me. Work on our our short game. So, uh, keep working at it and, uh, we’ll stay in touch. Yes, sir. And all the best in Florida. Thank you. You got it. Today was a lot of fun, but we want you to keep playing golf. So, we have a surprise for you. PJ Tour Superstore is going to fit you with some clubs and gear so that you can play golf as you want in Florida. You’re ready to go. In addition, we’re going to have $500 from Fandango, so you can go and enjoy all your favorite actors and all their movies. And once you get to Florida, we’re going to get you some tickets to a Broadway series show that you can attend. And again, your theater love combined with your golf love. We hope that you have a great next few years, and we’re excited to watch your journey. Thank you. Thank you’all. That’s awesome. Thank you. I don’t know what to say other than thank you. That’s enough. And you’re surprised. Enjoy your time in Florida and you deserve it. Yeah, you got it, buddy. You look great. I feel very special and lucky to be able to meet somebody that famous. And him having helping me do a little bit of golf has helped me learn more about golf and helped me want to play golf a lot more. It was nice meeting you. Yeah, nice meeting you. Yeah. Y’all have a great day. All right. In February, uh I don’t remember when, the 15th or 16th, we’re going to be going to see Peter Pan, me, my dad, and my friend Jesse, but I’m really looking forward to going to see that cuz I want to see how related it is to the show in Texas that the high school did where I lived. So, I’m looking forward to doing that. Yeah, I’ve been on the world. Ryan Palmer and his foundation and the overall sport of golf because that’s where the money came from was part of the village and really will always be part of the village because uh you know Tristan will have nice pretty teeth for the rest of his life now thanks to that. [Music]
