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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 1997)
ednesday • October 8, 1997 Lifestyles indents with disabilities ride high at A&M Horsemen clinic ason is paralyzed from the neck down. He can control only one muscle in his neck. Jason is also mute and communicates using this single mus- . Despite these obstacles, Jason has the opportu- to ride horses through the help of the Texas A&M Ibrsemen Association. 3n Sunday, Oct. 5, the Horsemen Association hosted Special Students Riding Clinic at Freeman Arena. They offer free riding services to handicapped stu- . ents from pre-kindergarten to high school. Fliers are ' i out to local schools to advertise the clinic. The event has grown from two participants at its in- eption in 1972 to 15 participants this past weekend. JAn average of 40 people volunteered for the clinic, ^hany of whom are members of the Horsemen Asso- iation. Numerous volunteers have experience work- ig with handicap children from YMCA camps, and y have life-saving skills. Shannon Castle, chair of the riding clinic and a ju- r animal science major, said she has been involved the clinic since she was a freshman and looks ard to this event every year. “This is one of the most rewarding events because are helping the public,” Castle said. “The parents very supportive, and the children are enthusiastic.” Castle said the volunteers generously give their time to this event. “The volunteers know what they are dealing with and they have no reservations,” Castle said. “They know this is a special situation which requires sensi tivity. I am very confident because this is the best crowd of helpers.” Three volunteers supervise each child as they ride the horse. If a child does not have the strength in their legs to stay on the horse, then one volunteer rides with them. Only experienced riders are allowed to ride with the children. They use the calmest and quietest hors es for the rides. The children are able to ride through obstacle cours es, participate in races and run barrels. At the end of the event the children all receive ribbons and awards. Jarah Redwine, president of the Horsemen Associ ation and a senior agricultural engineering major, said the clinic allows the children to feel in control. “Some of the students cannot walk, so this is a chance for them to propel themselves and control the animal,” Redwine said. “It is a strong feeling for me to be on a horse, it must be great for them.” Redwine said a special bond develops between the children and the horses they ride. “One student came asking for a particular horse,” Redwine said. “The student’s mom said that some times he cannot remember which school he goes to, but he always remembers what horse he has ridden.” Judy Pratt, whose son Tim has Down’s Syndrome, said Tim has been able to diversify his experiences through the clinic. “Four years ago, Tim got his first letter through his school,” Pratt said. “So we came out and signed up u One student came asking for a particular horse. The students mom said that sometimes he cannot remember which school he goes to, but he always remembers what horse he has ridden.” Jarah Redwine President of the Horsemen Association and senior agricultural engineering major and had that Polaroid moment. “Tim had a ball. I went home with a big smile on my face because it was so very nice.” Pratt said her children are crazy about horses. They were initially exposed to them through their grand father who used to have horses. Pratt said the interaction Tim has with the horses gives him a feeling of pride. “This is something special for him,” Pratt said. “It gives Tim something that he feels is just his. It is the sort of thing that helps him felelike he is a part of the community. “He gets off the horse walking ten feet tall, and then he is able to go back to school and tell the kids, T got to ride a horse this weekend.’” Pratt said this clinic is unique because sometimes children with special needs have difficulty fitting into certain situations. “A parent had seen Tim throwing a ball and want ed Tim to be on his baseball team,” Pratt said. “But then you run into other children. If they look at Tim strange and call him names, then I am not going to tolerate that. Some kids do not know kids with spe cial needs, so they treat him differently. “Kids with Down’s [Syndrome] already have to deal with a lot. He feels the comments. It makes him very upset. The smaller they are, the less it affects them, but as they grow, no one wants to be known as stupid.” Pratt said the Horsemen Association helps her as much as it helps Tim. “It has been difficult, and it is never easy for a sin gle mom,” Pratt said. “That is one of the things that has made me appreciate this event. “It is an extended family. They do not treat you like a stranger, but like you are a part of the family. It is im portant for the children to feel important and have all these people talk to them.” ie Elections Ain't Over Yet! Vote in Run-off Elections und flying in less at Pronin e forging 3fc' s to deliver ft 1 a big woriif'' ovember aid ; re actively rff' if: neeriny ipport Admii^ 1 igineer ilyst ammer gineer iance^ alyst based in Sant iuperb housin; aetitivesalaid on campus. : Code: TAW. ; (619) 67T s. EOE. [ 2001 President Craig Woods Ben Joseph Armenta 2001 Vice-President Brian J. Youngblood Amber Giles 2001 Treasurer Brandon Schlaffer Mark Lowery 2001 Secretary Melissa Diane Ramer LeaAnne Heath 2001 Social Secretary Brian Schlaffer Carrie Moore 2001 Historian Wesley Stobaugh Elizabeth Boyd VOTE TODAY 8 AM - 6 PM MSC, Evans Library, Commons, Rec Center, Wehner, Kleberg, Duncan, Zachry, Underground, Blocker