Denny siblings may dream big, but they have courage enough.

By Ken Raymond

Published: April 17, 2005

Rebecca Denny, center, was about the age of her nephew, Ryan, 2, when the Murrah Building was bombed. She and her brother, Brandon, right, were injured. Their father, Jim Denny, is at left. Brandon Denny shifts gears quickly, making minute adjustments to stay ahead of the pack and pushing the gas pedal into the floor. The roar of overheated engines and overheated fans competes with the pounding of his heart as he completes the final lap, then vaults from his car with his hands raised triumphantly above his head.

Another NASCAR victory for Oklahoma's racing hero. Another dream that hasn't yet come true.

Brandon, 13, has a long way to go before he has his own racing team. So far, he hasn't even driven his parents' car out of the driveway, although he has tested the headlights and stepped on the brakes -- while the car was parked.

"I'm not gutsy enough to let him drive," says his father, Jim Denny.

No worries. Brandon and his sister, Rebecca, 12, have enough guts to go around.

In the explosion, glass, cement and plastic was embedded in the side of Rebecca's 2-year-old body, and she was hospitalized for 10 days. Brandon, then 3, got it worse. A chunk of rubble opened a quarter-sized hole in his skull, requiring a portion of his brain to be removed.

Doctors told Brandon's parents he would probably never walk or talk.

He proved them wrong.

Ten years after the bombing, Brandon isn't 100 percent. He lacks fine motor skills on his right side and has difficulty with language and comprehension. His right hand doesn't function properly, and he drags his leg a little. He takes medication each day to combat seizures.

But he walks, runs, shoots baskets, smiles and makes himself heard. Just like any other boy.

Rebecca has grown into a plucky redhead who loves mystery novels and choreographing dance routines. She pretty much runs the household and plans to become a veterinarian.

"I've already got the schools figured out. I'm going to USC and then UC-Davis, because my college is already paid for," Rebecca says.

Does she have a favorite animal? She giggles: "Oh my gosh, it's like so obvious. Hello! Dogs."

Her parents would prefer Rebecca stay closer to home, but they know she'll be all right no matter where she goes.

"Rebecca doesn't need much taking care of," Jim Denny says.

In fact, both kids seem to be doing great. They're happy and friendly.

Although the past decade hasn't been the easiest for the family, financially and emotionally, they know they're "amazingly lucky."

Out of 25 people in the day care, including 21 children and four adults, only six survived.

Lives shaped in hidden ways
The siblings say they have no memories of the bombing. Asked to talk about it, they fall silent.

"I think it's shaped their lives to the point where they know that they were left here for a special reason," Jim Denny says. "I think in their minds they're going to reach out and grab whatever they can. In other words, they're going to make the most of their lives."

For now, that includes going to school, playing ball, studying dogs and dreaming of race cars.

Just like other normal kids.