 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||
 |
||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Teaching & LearningA Learning Moment With Adelma Starnes
My son is David Starnes III. At 13 years old, he looks much smaller than his age. However, don’t let his small size fool you! David was born with hearing loss and wears hearing aids. He also has speech, language, and learning disabilities. My husband and I have tried to give David every opportunity to learn, but he was often not comfortable in new situations and retreated into his own world. We thought David would like being around horses, and so we introduced him to riding lessons at High Point Academy. Little did we know that he would look forward to his lessons all week and love being around the horses so much. When David first came to High Point Academy his confidence level was not very high. He has always been seen as the "little" boy that can’t play rough and was too shy to speak up for himself. Because he has trouble hearing and understanding people when they speak to him, he was always nervous about new situations. That all changed when he began riding. David discovered that despite his small size and challenges, he could make himself heard. The horses provide a wonderful way he can learn patience, successfully communicate, and build a relationship with a 1,000-pound animal. David did not realize the transformations that were taking place during the first weeks at High Point Academy. He began to open up and speak more at home and with his friends. As David’s comfort level increased, he began to feel more comfortable with himself. He figured out that if he looked at a problem from a different angle, he could solve it. Riding lessons showed him that he could get things done in different ways. He may still get frustrated, but he has the confidence to know that he can solve any problem, even if he has to ask for help. He realizes that he can speak up and be assertive when he needs to. It is amazing that riding a horse weekly for one year has resulted in David taking charge of his life. His positive attitude and behavior are a real joy. David was very proud of himself after the fall horse show. In fact, he glowed for days! David showed everyone his ribbon during the holidays. He shared his experiences with his grandmother, Esther who also rode horses as a child. A special bond developed between them. At school he talked about the show to his entire class. His proudest moment is when he stayed in the saddle even though his horse "Jake" was scared and jumped sideways in the arena. Hearing, speech, and language disabilities have given David unique challenges to overcome. Because of therapeutic riding lessons David has seen, for the first time in his life, that he has a voice. His relationship with the horses has taught him that there are many ways to communicate and solve problems. David beams with pride when he talks about his lessons. Our family is overjoyed at being a part of High Point and the difference it has made in our lives. A Learning Moment With Jennifer Chaffins
Therapeutic riding has made a tremendous impact on my life. The benefits have done wonders for my physical health as well as my self-esteem. The very first time I rode on a horse, I was two years old. It was also at this age, that I was diagnosed with my disability, Cerebral Palsy. My Grandfather told my Mother, "A horse is the solution to all problems." And so my first experience with therapeutic riding was on Grandpa's old buckskin mare named "Lady" while I was still in diapers. My experience with an actual hippo-therapy program was at age six. I was too young at the time to see the therapeutic benefits. But I knew I was having a great time riding my favorite horse "Snowball" and playing games on horse back with other kids with disabilities. We all liked how we were taller than our parents and able to walk with the help of our trusty steeds. Throughout my life and every where we have lived, my parents would find a therapeutic riding program for me to participate in. As I became older and continued with the hippo-therapy program, I learned about the physical benefits of therapeutic riding. The horse's movement mimics the human gate. When I am riding, I am using muscle groups that I would not be using in my wheelchair. I am also "feeling" the rhythm and movement of a human walking. The movement of the horse reduces spasticity in my muscles and helps me relax, especially in my legs and ankles. For the first time in my life, I have been able to get a real "feel" for what it is like to bear weight on my feet. But the physical benefits are not the whole picture! After years of hippo-therapy, I decided I wanted to try an English saddle. My riding instructor decided to use a Dressage saddle. From that point on, I was hooked! After watching a tape of the ACCORD riders in the Paralympics, I decided I wanted to go further with my riding. In 2000, I competed in my first Dressage competition at a therapeutic riding school, and won a blue ribbon for each event. I was pretty surprised to win but it made me feel great and I was ready to keep going! It was awesome to be able to participate in a sport, where people could see my ability to compete just as well as an able-bodied rider. This has fueled my desire to someday go to the Paralympics.
All my life, I have tried to find a sport where I wasn't looked down upon, only allowed to be the "mascot", or allowed to participate because someone felt sorry for me. I never dreamed that the sport I have found and come to love, would
develop out of something that originally started as physical therapy
and the wisdom of my Grandfather! |
||||||||||
 |
"To enhance the quality of life within the disabled community by providing resources that inspire wholeness through teaching and learning"
|
|
