Testimonials
Penelope
Last night as I was about to sit for supper. My daughter put my
granddaughter on the floor across the room. Penelope crawled across the
entire floor for me to pick her up. At that very moment, a prayer had
been answered. Thank you all for that something special you do.
Jim Johnson
(Penelope's Pop)
Michael
Michael and Marshall are best friends. Michael is a five year old little boy living with multiple special needs and Marshall is a Special Strides therapy horse. Michael has been through what no parent could ever imagine for their child. Everyday has been a struggle. Yet, Marshall, the horse, does something for Michael that no doctor or therapist is able to do.
On the day of is birth, June 14, 2003, our son Michael's heartbeat was lost during routine labor. An emergency C-section was performed and physicians worked on him for five minutes to bring him back to life. He was admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he remained for two months. Michael was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy. He cannot walk, talk, eat or sit up by himself. His severe motor problems have left him wheelchair bound and full dependant for all of his wants and needs. Michael understands everything. Most of all he understands when he is going to see Marshall his favorite horse at Special Strides.
As Michael's parents we have tried all types of therapies. It was not until we found Special Strides that we knew we had brought our son to the right place. Little did we know the effect the program would have on Mikey. His connection to Marshall and the farm cannot be explained with words. You have to see his smile during a session to begin to appreciate what Special Strides has done for him. Just say "Marshall" to Mikey and he starts to glow. His overall improvement in coordination and especially his head and trunk control is due in part to the therapy he received at Special Strides. We are so proud of his progress.
Special Strides is an important part of Michael's life.
Tara & Michael
Amanda
When you meet my daughter, Amanda you will encounter an outgoing young lady whose sense of humor and talkative nature make it difficult to grasp the struggles she's encountered and the obstacles she's overcome. On any given day, you might find Amanda rock 
climbing, practicing a new cheer, or riding her favorite horse Summer at Special Strides. Yet, not that long ago, none of these things would have seemed possible given Amanda's difficult history of living with a traumatic brain injury.
As a five year old, Amanda was diagnosed with a very large brain tumor. After her first surgery, her condition was equivalent to that of a newborn infant. She was unable to talk, eat, or sit up. Everything would have to be relearned. As her mother I faced a myriad of challenges in learning to care for a disabled child who would come to require multiple surgeries and shunt revisions.
When Amanda first came to Special Strides she couldn't even sit by herself on the horse. Now, you would never imagine that my 13 year old girl, who jokes with the therapists and even flirts with the boys, is that same child with overwhelming special needs. I feel a sense of pride when I watch Amanda as she confidently drives her horse around the paddock. It is clear that Special Strides is a program that gives families the hope of the future for their children they once wouldn't allow themselves to imagine.
Diane
Timmy
Some people call me misfortunate, some have called me unlucky. I consider myself blessed. I have three special needs children, Bradley, Abigail, and Timmy. At six months old Abby was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and at two, Bradley was diagnosed with Autism. My hands were full and my future uncertain, but my husband and I persevered. We got the best therapies for our children and at five years old both Bradley and Abby entered mainstream classrooms.
I desperately yearned for a "normal" child. In April of '99, the big day arrived! The entire family was excited to welcome this new baby, but that perfect child was not meant to be. Timmy was deprived of oxygen for a period of time and suffered brain damage as a result. Thi
s time, I knew I had a child with severe disabilities.
Since I had been down this road before, I traveled hundreds of miles to find the best therapy. Unfortunately, Timmy was uncooperative. He usually screamed through all his therapy sessions! But my husband and I pressed on.
In the spring of 2001, I heard about Special Strides. We went to observe a session and were fascinated! It was not therapy, it was fun! I enrolled all three children in the program. To say the least, it was putting a tremendous financial strain on my family. But in response to my plea, Timmy was awarded financial assistance from the Steven Werthan Memorial Fund and was able to continue to ride in the program.
Abby and Bradley are now 16 and Timmy 9. I am grateful to all who help support Special Strides. When you see their smiles and hear the laughter, you can't help but smile along!
My children have taught me more than I could ever have learned otherwise: patience, faith, friendship, commitment, simplicity, unconditional love. Now that is a blessing!
Rene and Tom