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~ Alissa’s Story
Alissa was born with severe
jaundice and heart defects. Whether it is your first baby or third, your first
thoughts are that it can be fixed and it will be ok – you are literally in a fog
of denial. I was no different. After years of wondering and worrying about
Alissa’s development and questioning her pediatrician, we were finally sent for
genetic testing. Alissa is 11 now and what we know is that she exhibits the
signs and characteristics of someone with a syndrome. She has hypotonia (low
muscle tone), significant developmental and learning delays, and apraxia
(processing).
A year ago we branched out
from the many years of traditional speech and occupational therapy and tried
Therapeutic Riding. We have seen wonderful progress in the areas of balance and
posture with an ever-increasing confidence and maturity level in her capability
to control and communicate with her horse. Riding a horse provides a processing
factor that can’t be duplicated, rehearsed or manipulated. The horse is
constantly providing feedback that requires “quick thinking” on the part of the
rider. It is this feedback that makes Therapeutic Riding so valuable for
Alissa. She is being “worked” on so many fronts and all the while she thinks
she is “just” riding a horse and loving every minute of it.
As a volunteer helping in
the classes, I am truly blessed to be a part of the lives of all the adults and
children who come to PPTRC. My life and the lives of Alissa’s two older
brothers who also volunteer are enriched by the people we encounter. Everyone
in the arena is able to let go of their daily struggles and let the magic of the
horses and the relationships shared create an environment where miracles
happen.
~ Diane, PPTRC Parent &
Volunteer ~ |
Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
