I have been thinking about writing you for a couple months
now. I am so grateful for the experience that you both taught me. You entrusted
duties to me that might have very easily been screwed up, yet you believed in
me enough to get it right. I appreciate all of the PR expertise you allowed me
to experience, but perhaps more than anything, you both taught me a great deal
about physically and mentally challenged human beings. I use the phrase
"human beings" because that is exactly who and what you treat people
of different abilities. It was overwhelming how great you guys are with the
riders and how you have given your time and life to see that they have a better
life.
I have a cousin who has severe mental retardation but is a
loveable character. Everyone in our family treats him well and loves him just
the same as if he were functioning at the same ability as their own. Although I
love him with everything in me, there were times I didn't know exactly how to
act with him. Do I talk slower? Do I smile more? etc. etc.
When we had the volunteer appreciation dinner, afterwards
there was a rider who came up to us with his ipad wanting pictures. He was an
adorable boy, but again I didn't exactly know what was the "right"
way to act. I followed both of your leads when he was asking to take a picture
and wanting to show us the pictures of him and the other guests. It was amazing
how you guys simply treated him as if nothing was wrong, as if he was just like
you.
Something broke in me that day. Something I didn't even know
was there. I now look at anyone with a physical, mental, or cognitive
disability through new eyes. I have not only compassion, but I am no longer
fearful of how to act when I come into contact. In fact, I go out of my way to
smile, talk or shake their hand in church for example.
You guys have shown me what it's like to change the
perception of people that are different than everyone else. You guys were
patient with me every day and I am thankful I had the opportunity to work with
you last semester.
Thank you again,
I am blessed and honored to have received this beautiful letter from an intern! As I look back on 13 years of serving so many individuals it is with compassion, love, determination, persistence, perseverance and loving support. It my love for the individuals that come to us with a need, whether a need to have a closer relationship, socialize, learn to ride, hang out with horses or learn new skills that will assist them in their life careers. I am blessed with a dream that has touched and will continue to touch so many lives.
As I look ahead and behind and how far we have come and how far we can go, my heart is filled with tears of joy, excitement, fear(just a little), but most of all an attitude of gratitude because it is you ladies and gentlemen that have made this all possible. It is all of you that will assist in taking this into the future, I will facilitate with love and kindness but you will be the ones to facilitate more lives to be touched. God will continue to guide us on this journey and blessings will abound in the midst of joy, laughter, tears, storms, losses and great accomplishments. Thank you so much for assisting us in touching the lives that mean so much to us. Thank you for assisting us in supporting our beautiful animals that touch lives everyday.
Please watch for lots of exciting plans and programs coming this year. It will be a busy one. In the meantime keep a song in your heart and smile on your face and enjoy each moment each day!
