It was not difficult to hear the sadness and disappointment in Anita Shkedi’s voice when she called recently to share that she had lost funding for one of her longest running therapy groups at INTRA-Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association. The loss of funding was directed to the therapy she offers to the severely disabled. (http://intra.org.il) Here was just one more example of how the economy was affecting the most vulnerable. Anita shared that it was this group for whom the wonders of therapeutic riding seemed to make the most difference. Though the changes were often slow to come about and might seem insignificant to those of us who are able-bodied and independent, in truth, the therapy’s benefits were huge.

Anita went on to tell me the story of one of the riders who was affected by this loss of funding– the beautiful little girl in this picture. Her name is Hila and she has CP (Cerebral Palsy) which leaves her partially paralyzed with little control over the right side of her body. After numerous surgeries she is still unable to open her eyelids and daily activities are beyond her abilities, though she can occasionally utter words she learns at home or at the INTRA center.

I could hear the pride in Anita’s voice as she shared Hila’s progress as well as the sadness knowing that it was all going to come to a quick and sad halt. Since Hila has been with INTRA she has learned to recognize her horse and even calls its name when she comes to her lesson. She can sit on the horse with the help of several staff and even take part in games which help her with her stability, self confidence, and motivation. During the therapy sessions she is encouraged to communicate verbally and non-verbally with the horse and this has taught her to stop the horse by lifting her left arm slightly. Grasping the reins and bringing the horse to a halt gives her a real sense of power and being in control. Despite the need to rely on her therapist and helpers, she has recently learned to use her left leg to encourage the horse to move.

Though we could not help all of the riders who were now unable to gain the benefits of therapeutic riding from Anita’s very professional staff, we could underwrite the cost of one and promised to send the funds right away. Perhaps it will be Hila and she will one day walk on her own? If you have ever watched therapeutic riding as it is carried out, it is not too hard to imagine such a miracle.