Hi Nan and all It was very interesting to read about your involvement with the miniature horses as I too have been involved with horses, both before my injury and afterwards. My breed Is Pony Of America's and we have been involved with them since 1980.
I have also been first a Foster parent and now a Non-family host home provider since 1977. We have had over 25 developmentally delayed and/or physically handicapped children and adults in our home over the years. I now have two men who had been with me for 30 years and more who help me as much as I help them I am proud to say that they have both far succeeded their initial diagnoses and are both contributing back to the community. We took our two interests and for many years combined them and initiated and facilitated classes for the handicapped at many of the open show circuits in the northern Nevada and California area. Many of these classes are still going today although I am no longer actively involved in the show management. I was a horseshoe manager after I broke my neck in 1990 and got a lot of satisfaction from watching the children (and adults) being very hesitant at the beginning of the show year-after all how people are there that drive an enormous electric chair with their chin, use the computer with a mouthstick, and are constantly having to be rescued from that pile of sand just because I knew that I could get through it if I just went fast enough-to the kids sitting on my lap, the parents making sure that I had something to drink and or eat, and the industrious 12 year old that devised a tow rope for my wheelchair to hook up to his horse to pull me out. By the way, it worked. I have always felt that it is a good day when I make someone laugh, learn something new, finish something that I have started, and most blessed of all had a hug from a loved one whether it is in person, on the Internet, or over the phone. As you say, there are many many opportunities to fill volunteer positions that no one else wants to do or has your unique ability to fulfill that need. Schools are always in need of people to help in the classroom, and in my case it does not take long for the kindergartner to learn to climb up in my lap, hold the book and turn pages for me so that I can read to them. By the way, there's that hug I mentioned above. It is very hard to stay down when you are giving of yourself to others. Enjoy each day, treasure those precious minutes that come along, and maybe stretch your comfort zone a little bit and find satisfaction in your own growth. Joan C4 complete 1990 fell off scaffolding while working on our new barn.
