Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program

Our Riders and Horses

• Chunky Monkey and other horses.
• Roger and Vickie
• Mike Porter
• Jewelyne
• Alexis
• Jeanne
• Kathleen
• Lori

Chunky Monkey, already a winner at Thorncroft, May 28th, 2005.

J.T. on Nina, he says his favourite hourse is Apple and he loves vaulting!

Ahhh...so much love to give!	Ben showing his equestrian skills on Blondie!

When our youngest daughter, Abigail, was six months old she went into the hospital with bronchitis. Obviously we didn't expect her to be in the hospital too long, a few days at best as she received antibiotics and stayed under an oxygen tent. My wife, Vickie, stayed at the hospital with Abigail all day and all night, sleeping on one of those horrible hospital cots. So that Vickie had some time away from the hospital I would go to the hospital after work and relieve her while she went home to be with our other two daughters, shower, and rest some. On one particular day I went to the hospital and expected to find my wife eager to head home for some rest but when I walked into the hospital room I found her leaning against the wall crying with two friends of ours talking to her. The mood was very somber and one of our friends told my wife, "We better leave so you and Roger can talk". My first thought was that our daughter had passed away and I quickly looked over at the hospital crib, seeing our six month old daughter in the bed relieved me of that worry; but another was about to be raised.

That afternoon one of the nurses had noticed that Abigail's eyes didn't track correctly when a light was shined in them, so they had performed a CAT scan of her brain. Just moments before I walked into the hospital room my wife had received the results form the scan. Our daughter had suffered major brain damage, 95% of the right hemisphere of her brain was dead. The brain cells were still there but they were dead. At the time we had no idea what this meant and after a short discussion and a lot of hugs my wife headed home while I stayed with our sleeping daughter. A little while later someone brought me the films of the CAT scan and I was able to see the brain damage; even I, a layman, could easily see the dead brain cells. In fact it was as easy as seeing dark from light. You can imagine what it was like sitting there in the hospital that night, or being at home, as my wife was, wondering what was next.

When you have a child diagnosed with a life threatening issue it's amazing how fast things happen. The next day we had more doctors and specialists studying our daughter than you can imagine. Social Services was one of the first to visit with us in the morning. And of course many more test were run. I don't remember if it was that first day after we'd been told this devastating news or the second day, but it didn't take long for Social Services and the doctors to tells us the bad news. The prognosis was CP and that Abigail would never talk - we'd never hear her say "mama" or "dada". She'd never laugh, never crawl, never walk, never smile. She'd never enjoy music or clap her hands. Basically she'd live like a vegetable rather than like a human. We were strongly encouraged to put her in an institution because caring for her at home would be much too difficult. And, we were told, she would only live 3 or 4 years.

We refused to do anything but take our daughter home and give her the best life we could, along with our love, for as long as she lived, even if that was only going to be a few years. When she was young it wasn't difficult to care for her, she was small and easy to pick up, carry, bath, etc. But we wanted more for her and when she was only two years old my wife's cousin told us about a therapeutic riding program she had heard about. This program used horses to provide therapy to people with disabilities; so we called the program. I think it was the next week when we drove to Freedom Hills for the first time and little Abigail sat on a horse with a group of helpers and she rode around the ring. She smiled.

Abigail, who wasn't expected to live but a few years is now 21 years old. She is a junior at Edinoboro University of Pennsylvania. She's on the dean's list and is a member of the honor's fraternity Phi Sigma Pi. She loves music and is studying journalism and mass communication so she can become a news reporter on a TV station. She can't drive but she uses a wheel chair to go to her classes from her private apartment. We thank God for all He's done for Abigail and we know the hundreds of prayers that were said on her behalf were answered. We also know that Freedom Hills was one of the answers. Abigail rode at Freedom Hills until she was about 17 years old and just too wrapped up in school to find the time to ride. She likes to go back to Freedom Hills and ride when she's home for a holiday and last fall she went to a therapeutic riding program in Erie for the first time. We know that Freedom Hills played a big part in making Abigail what she is today. It was the physical therapy, the emotional support, and the love she received while riding that helped turn around a horrible prognosis.

Roger & Vickie Hucker

Our Riders Speak Out - Mike Porter

I suffered an attack of Transverse Myelitis (TM) in the summer of 2001. The result of TM left me with various neurological problems in the spine, including the inability to walk without mechanical aids. Continuous physical therapy since that time has helped greatly. Progress has been measured in terms of small changes in distance walked, or weight lifted. Such changes accrue over time and results are achieved. However, I have never undertaken a new physical activity since the onset of TM.

I certainly would not have guessed horse back riding to be a possible new activity! And without instructors trained in therapeutic riding, it would not be. I am lucky to have someone who understands my short term limitations and how to move past those obstacles in a safe manner.

Equine Therapy is more than just "riding a horse". I had never ridden a horse before, so having someone capable of teaching me to relax during that first lesson was crucial. It was not until a few lessons later that I learned just how important a relaxed, balanced position when riding is so very important. I am glad I started learning proper form at the outset.

Two recent lessons stand out in my mind. The first happened when my five year old daughter was given a lesson at the same time I was in the ring. I rarely get to do many outdoor physical activities with her. Riding side by side with her was truly special and I hope she will continue learning to ride. However, five year olds like to set their own direction, so time will tell.

The second lesson that stands out was my first trail ride. I haven't been in the woods or splashed across a stream in many years. Just being outside, far from parking lots, and working with my horse was wonderful. Seeing a deer, and experiencing my first "start" (!), was great. Fortunately, my instructor waited until my trunk strength had increased to the point where these were pleasant experiences and not painful ones!

These two lessons stand out in my mind as milestones that I quickly achieved. The long term benefits of Equine Therapy will take time to realize. Once the body has undergone the basic rebuilding possible after suffering the effects of TM, the results of motor-neuron damage and the consequent loss of physical skills is recovered by proper repetitive actions. Riding is an excellent therapy that provides these repetitive actions.

One of the results of TM is increased muscle tone - stiffness of the muscles. A properly trained rider will learn to obtain a feeling of balance by relaxing the eyes, neck, shoulders, hips, and ankles. I can feel the muscles loosening and working with the horse when riding. I am learning to apply these skills to everyday activities such as walking and am starting to see results.

It is rare to see a therapy provide results so quickly, but few therapies work in the same fashion. My physical therapist has flatly refused to provide hour-long piggy back rides! Perhaps this is why he too endorses equine therapy. No one can predict the complete benefits I will receive from riding, however the results I have already received and excitement of meeting a new challenge make equine therapy very worthwhile.

- Mike Porter

Our Riders Speak Out - Jewelyne

Jewel loves riding, loves the horses! It is also good for her disabilities. Riding gives her strength, discipline and good exercise. Renee makes riding fun, plus she gives good instruction with a lot of patience!

- Jewelyne

Our Volunteers Speak Out - Alexis

Some days I can not believe that I have been volunteering at Freedom Hills for only a year and a half, and some days I hope it will never end. While spending time at FHTRP, I have come to realize just how much one hour on a horse can mean to someone. Maybe the best part about being a volunteer is seeing the looks on the faces of our young riders when they have achieved something amazing, some thing that even the able-bodied children in the same lesson have not yet learned. I have ridden horses my whole life, competed in just about every equine sport out there, and I don't think I have ever felt the happiness that one of the students feels when they make their first trot in two-point position or had their first ride around the ring without a leader. I hope to continue my work at FHTRP and even further my education in therapeutic riding through the four year college I have chosen.

- Lexi

Our Volunteers Speak Out - Jeanne

I am continually amazed at the progress I see in FHTRP students. The students come alive at the sight of the horses and volunteers. Once timid children are confident to wave Mom and Dad good bye as they ride off for their therapy. What a great day to help children and adults be more confident and caring while still addressing their physical therapy needs. Only God could have designed such a perfect partnership. Thank you to Renee Luther and all her staff for one thousand smiles shes created.

- Jeanne

Our Parents Speak Out - Kathleen

No other family could be more deserving and no other organization has done more in the name of our Lord than Freedom Hills. I don't know who of you know my daughter Rachael, but if were not for Freedom Hills, she would still be scratching at her skin from her anxiety disorder and socially inept at making and keeping friends, despite all the many medications they have tried her on. It is through the horse riding program and the bond that grew between her and Nina, the love she felt and still feels for Nina and horses that carries her through most of her darkest days and the dream of one day owning her own farm and helping other children like herself and other children that need help - that is my daughter's dream - to be "just like Miss Renee" - all you have to do is ask Rachael what she wants to do when she grows up - and she will be the first to tell you that. Miss Renee has had a profound impact on Rachael's life - and we are certainly going to be up this weekend to welcome them home. I know we haven't been up in a while - but this certainly is worth the trip! God bless all of you who continue this work - I don't know if you even realize how you truly bless these children's lives and how deeply you impact them - in a way they will not and cannot ever forget. Every time I watched the show I thought if anyone deserved an extreme makeover, it was Miss Renee and Freedom Hills. God Bless

- Kathleen Swietkoski

Our Volunteers Speak Out - Lori

I have only been volunteering here for a short time but it is wonderful to see the quality and care in the lessons. The love and kindness toward the riders was beautiful to see as well. What a great program!

- Lori