Dakota Barker, a 15 year-old from Lexington, Tenn., is the proud owner of a new Dixie Chopper BlackHawk zero-turn mower that he helped build. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and Dixie Chopper made his wish possible.

Barker runs his own lawn service and suffers from epilepsy. Until a recent brain surgery, he suffered with intractable seizures. The seizures complicated his efforts to operate his lawn service, and pushing his mower would exacerbate the seizures.

Barker asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation if he could visit Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.’s facility in Coatesville, Ind. This is where Dixie Chopper zero-turn mowers are designed and built. His wish was granted July 31, when he visited the plant and got a firsthand experience in making a Dixie Chopper BlackHawk.

The day began with a factory tour with Plant Manager Rick Judy. Afterward, Barker fabricated components with the engineers who design the products. He then took those parts to the assembly line, where they were used to build a BlackHawk unit.

Local dealer, Outdoor Specialties, in Lexington, Tenn. delivered the mower Barker helped build.