Divine Miracles: May 2011

Horseback riding... it is one of my favorite things to do. I love watching my kids do it. They love doing it. Only after 4 months of taking - we realized we were wasting our money where they were taking lessons. They were getting maybe 10 minutes of riding time. Much of their other time was spent... walking all over the barn getting the materials for grooming, putting them away, getting the saddle pad, getting a helmet, getting a saddle... oh, wait... you have a new teacher today... where do you want to ride today? Oh, you wanted to ride, and learn how to ride. Well, it'll have to wait until next time... we're out of time! Even amidst all of that, the kids loved the horses and what little riding they did. We just felt we were not getting our money's worth out of that experience.

We had signed up for riding for Whit (and the other two were interested, so we gave them a shot, too). When we lived in California, I was an educational consultant for an equine therapeutic riding program. It was amazing!! The children in that program learned so much, and were able to really open up physically, emotionally, and linguistically. We wanted that for Whit. The only problem is... the nearest one is 45 minutes away from us. So, we found this barn. He was getting to ride some, but the therapeutic aspect was not there - and he wasn't really gaining anything from it or learning from it. Maggie and Chap were really excelling, but again, it wasn't pushing them and they weren't getting much riding time.

So, we went exploring. Since Corbett knows the equine community in the area pretty well, he called an old client of his who also has lessons at her barn... and was really our best shot. Monday was Maggie's turn. It is an hour long lesson... about 10 minutes of grooming and tacking up, and then about 45 minutes of actual riding time. She did amazing, but she was WORKED! It was great for her, and she learned so much in that hour! When all was said an done, she was pretty pooped, but ready to go again next week! Tuesday was a toughie. It was the boys' turn, and was not as successful. Chap did a nice job, and mechanically he was spot on riding that horse. Whit... well... it really showed that he needs the therapeutic side of riding. He had a tough hour, and it was tough to watch. I could go into the gory details, but I'll just say that it was one of those moments when reality sets in and you wish you could go out there and just help his legs work to kick that horse! It was just a reminder of what we already know... a marked difference in ability and strength! It was just one of those "hard to swallow" moments.

But, it is not all lost. We regrouped, and came up with plan B. Whit's physical therapist had told us that either riding or swimming would be good to help strengthen him as well as work on balance. Riding was her top pick, but swimming came in a close second. So, May 23rd, we will begin swimming lessons with a specialist at the Houston Swim Club that has worked with special needs before - and was very receiving of the possibility of having Whit in a group of swimmers!

It's not important whether you win or you lose... it's how you play the game. So, we choose to 'Rise and Shine' -

Today was a fun run to raise money for The Rise School of Houston (where I work). It was an fun time! It wore us all out, but we had a great time doing it. Over $100,000 was raised during the event... I'd say it was a success! We all ran in the 'kids-K' (or 1K). Corbett and I went into it thinking we'd be walking more than running since we were doing it with the kids. Well, let me tell you what... they pushed us, and we ran it! Whit had a rough finish, but he ran to the end!

Pops and Bibs came to cheer us all on as we ran! Maggie beat us all, and they were there at the finish-line to cheer for her!

Inside, after the run, were different events and kids' activities. Many of the sponsors had a booth, and provided something for all of the kids to do. Rock climbing was one event...