Paying Hope Forward

HOPE.

Sarah has always loved horses. Always. She rode before she lost her vision and tried riding after she lost her vision, but could not find the right program for herself. We finally found Sky View in Oregon, and many of you know the wonders it did for her. To be able to feel free and "normal". To be empowered to help herself and do things the way just about everyone else does them - to saddle her horse and brush it and ride it - was the best gift that Oregon offered any of us.

One of the first things I did when we moved to Indiana was to reach out to as many people as I could find to see if I could locate a program similar to Sky View that would allow Sarah to continue on with her horsemanship. After several months, we finally found Theratails. We met with the owner and found that CJ was very willing to allow Sarah to volunteer at the program in exchange for riding time. And so she began volunteering at the beginning of last month. It has been amazing. Just as Sky View was perfect for Sarah in Oregon, I truly feel that Theratails was meant for Sarah. Sarah arrives early every Friday and helps feed all of the horses on the property, she waters them, mucks stalls, brushes horses, saddles them, helps with the therapy sessions with clients who are all abled differently children. She works with the horses on a lunge line. Next summer she will be competing with one of the horses in a 4H competition.

We found out recently that the board of directors (which I had no idea Theratrails had) was so pleased that Sarah was a volunteer. Parents have contacted both CJ and the board and told them that seeing Sarah volunteering just like every other sighted person at the program gives them Hope for their own children. Hope that their children will be able to accomplish their own goals in their lives. Hope that their being abled differently won't prevent them from following their dreams.  They see Sarah as a living example of all that can happen in their own children's lives.

Sarah, CJ told us, is also providing Hope to the children who she works with each week. They see Sarah helping them out and it inspires them to want to work harder and accomplish more in their sessions. After all, if Sarah can do it so can they.

When Sarah heard this news she smiled bashfully and blushed. She had no idea that she was offering to others the Hope that has gotten our family so much just by being herself and living her life. To know that she is a role model to these children and their parents has done so much for her confidence. We spoke after meeting with CJ and she was blown away that she would be such a beacon of light for those around her.  She was touched and honored. She carries herself just a bit differently. There is a quiet confidence that I haven't seen for a very long time in her steps now.

Indianapolis was the right choice. I knew it the second Bob mentioned the opportunity here I just didn't know why. Now I do.

There is no greater joy than seeing your children thrive and come alive doing the things that bring them immense happiness and peace. Sarah has that at Theratails.

And for that, we all have newfound HOPE.