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You can give children with disabilities the legs to run and new friends to trust.
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Colorado
Therapeutic Riding Center
11968 Mineral Road
Longmont CO 80504
303.652.9131
Carol Heiden, Executive Director |
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Muscle
control. Balance. The strength to hold your body upright. The
ability to concentrate. To think clearly. To verbalize your
thoughts. Many of us do take these for granted. Children with
disabilities and their parents don't. Instead, they celebrate
what others might see as the smallest accomplishments-taking
a step . . . sitting high in a saddle . . . speaking for the
first time. Some have been told never to expect independent
movement or speech. With time at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding
Center, many beat the odds.
Whether the young riders have cerebral palsy, severe emotional
disorders, spina bifida, or any number of other disabilities,
life has been tough. They've spent countless hours with doctors
and at clinics. Some have multiple disabilities that require
multiple therapies.
When these kids become riders at CTRC, many of them finally
find the one therapy they don't fight. In fact, it's the highlight
of their week. It brings them self confidence. Trust in their
newfound human and animal friends. Peace. A sense of pride as
they gain control over something much bigger than they are.
Here they can be "like other kids." As one seven year old put
it, "I can't walk and I can't run. I can't play soccer or basketball
or go swimming with my friends. But I can ride." And he has
ribbons from horse shows to prove it.
CTRC served 400 children last year. While the gentle, patient
horses are the heart of the program, the passionately committed
staff and volunteers form the backbone. Each week more than
240 trained volunteers help kids ride. Many more lend a hand
in other ways. All of them join with the parents and marvel
as they watch these courageous children blossom in ways never
thought possible. |
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