I Need Your Help – Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Special Needs Kids

When Cody was much younger he benefited a great deal from several different therapies. There were speech and occupational therapy as well as behavioral therapy, and all of them played an important role in every skill he learned after being diagnosed with Autism. Another type of treatment that was incredibly beneficial to Cody was therapeutic horseback riding. He truly shined every time he climbed onto the back of one of those gorgeous, and most gentle, of creatures. From week-to-week his relationship with the horse grew right along with his speech and motor skills. He even competed in several Special Olympics Equestrian events and proudly earned himself a beautiful collection of ribbons. I honestly wish he had never stopped riding and I may have to start a search for a center local to our home. I can’t say enough what this type of program meant to Cody and what is still means for so many kids with special needs.

When I recently learned of an opportunity to run in the upcoming Beach to Beacon road race and that I could run it as part of a team on behalf of Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center, I was not only thrilled, but also a little nervous. See, this is going to my first-ever 10k race and I hear it attracts quite a competitive field of elite runners from all over the world. While I’d certainly like to cross the finish line with a time to be proud of, I’d feel a great deal more pride if I could help this amazing program raise funds for their riding center. They are basically providing me with a bib to run in the race and in return they have simply asked that I help to raise some money for the services they provide to those with special needs. I’d say that’s a perfectly reasonable request, especially since the Beach to Beacon registrations filled up in under ten minutes and there are still many runners who would give anything to take part in this scenic road race on the Coast of Maine. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this team and I would be truly grateful for your support. Of course I’m asking for you to help with a financial donation (ANY amount is truly appreciated), but I also understand that not everyone’s budget allows for that type of contribution. So if you aren’t able to make a donation then maybe you could just send me positive running vibes and cheer me on as I take on this physical challenge while representing a program I truly believe in? Either way, thank you, thank you, thank you!