Stories and Testimonials :
A Parent's Testimonial:
Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center is an amazing place for children with special needs. Our son Findlay started hippotherapy 3 years ago and has loved it ever since. The most incredible aspect of this therapeutic approach is that it’s a lot of fun. Although Findlay may be working harder during this hour in comparison to another therapy session, he still finishes with a smile.
Findlay is a five-year-old boy who has Cerebral Palsy. When he started riding, he was unable to sit up independently or walk unsupported. We contribute Findlay’s trunk and neck stability greatly to his and Special Strides’ efforts over the past several years. Findlay is now capable of independently sitting in an O-Ring for up to 90 seconds. He is also progressing from a gait-trainer, which provides full trunk support, to a forward-facing walker. For families with a child like ours, they know how huge these accomplishments are!
Special needs children work harder for every little thing they do throughout the day. It’s nice that there is a place where these children can come and be more like a typical child. Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center’s program is exceptional because it enables children with disabilities to incorporate a fun recreational event with a difficult daily activity.
Thank you Laurie, Susie and Ellen and the entire Special Strides family for all of your tireless efforts with our children. Your hard work, dedication and love are the best therapies our children can receive.
Courtney & Michael
Our daughter, Nikki (age 5), has a rare syndrome called Aicardi Syndrome. It is characterized by the absence of the corpus callosum, lacunae in the eyes and epileptic seizures. That means that she does not have the piece of the brain that connects the left hemisphere to the right. She has blind spots in her eyes and seizures are a daily event in Nikki’s life. Nikki does not walk or talk and is cognitively impaired. This is a girl that the medical community told us that we would have to institutionalize. Well, they were wrong! She is such a blessing to us and has brought amazing joy to our lives. We have been really lucky to have such great people in our lives and we would be truly mistaken not to mention the folks at Special Strides.
We started at Special Strides when Nikki was two years old. Ellen, Laurie and Susie welcomed her with open arms. The idea of hippotherapy is one that was not understood by the insurance community. However, its benefits are remarkable. The movement of the horse is something that causes Nikki’s body to simulate as if she were walking herself. A feat that we are so hoping for. They are teaching her such objectives as balance and protective extension (putting her hands out to protect herself if she should fall). All tasks that anyone would take for granted. Nikki has learned to balance herself (not an easy task for someone who could not sit independently.). Although it is about the therapy, it is so much more. Everyone at Special Strides truly cares about her overall sense of being. How many therapists would cancel a session because the climate is too hot or too cold for the child? Believe it or not, not many. Also, they take the time to give advice about things that we can do to improve her quality of life. They are willing to speak to her therapists at school, coach us on what to ask doctors and school officials, and even provide support for adaptive devices or special equipment. It is not just about the hour that she spends at therapy.
If Nikki could talk, we know that she would say how much she enjoys the time she spends at Special Strides. She would not mention the word ‘therapy.’ She would tell you that she loves when the therapists sing to her. (They know so many more songs than Mommy.) She would also say that they make her feel so special. She loves all her friends at Special Strides. Nikki does not communicate but the smile on her face when we pull up to the barn are ‘words’ enough to know that we are doing the right thing by taking her to Special Strides. So please, if possible, support Special Strides! It is amazing how they have helped so many children like Nikki (and their parents as well!)
Laura and Jose