1985 (Summer) Newsletter

The Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association, Inc. L.C.V.E.R.A. Hadlyme. Ct.

06439

Nonprofit, tax exempt organization

Summer

No. 2

Vol. 4

PRESIDENT'S

REPORT

Congratulations to riders, their parents, staff, volunteers, supporters and everybody in the LCVERA family. In virtually every way this was our most successful year.

Highlights

of that

success

were:

- the growth and effectiveness of our staff of Judy Lovelace (Executive Director), Jonnie Edwards, Edi Griswold, Holly Ridgeway and Kathy Skolem (Instructors), and Carolyn Jagielski (Physical Therapist). reaccreditation

by NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association).

- first place award in a prestigious film competition movie, 'I Think I Can'.

for our

- of course, and most importantly, the continuing and accelerated development of so many of our riders.

NARHA reaccreditation geared volunteers, board members, instructors and the Executive Director up for a typical Tuesday at Kingswood. Each instructor took a turn at teaching a class before the visiting NARHA accreditor.

The day went beautifully.

No rider was aware of anything special except for the presence now and then of an additional instructor.

We not only passed the strict accreditation standards but passed with a near perfect 97% grade. Thanks to everyone who took part; riders, horses. volunteers and instructors.¡ Thanks too to the thunderstorm (the only rai~ of the entire spring) which forced us to move indoors and show how flexible and unflappable we can be.

'

1985

Peter Pearce's film took top honors in the 1985 American Film Festival Education category beating out some heavy competition.

Congratulations to Peter, to Anne Wright Kje!lson (narrator and instructor) and to all those wonderful, non-Equity actors : Paul, Chris, John, Cheryl, Kerry, Santa Claus, Bianca, Daisy, etc. If you haven't seen the movie yet or if you want to arrange for its showing to a service club in your area, call Judy Lovelace and she'll set the date, provide a speaker and equipment.

Rider development continued with the progression of many to riding independently of leaders and sidewalkers.

And at least three have begun cantering.

One rider, whom many of us thought might never sit upright or readily respond to volunteers, is now a straight-backed, happy and talkative horsewoman.

Another rider recovering from severe head injuries and referred to us by Gaylord Hospital no longer required a leader and sidewalkers.

Taking private lessons over the summer, his instructor promises he'll be jumping before long.

No report of progress is complete or credible without mentioning a few challenges.

Among them for the coming year are the need: - to secure our funding base. We should not operate at a deficit.

Growth of the membership drive, creation of an endowment and carrying out fund raising events are key to our effectiveness.

- continually to tell our story.

There are health organizations, schools, therapists and service clubs in, and adjacent to, our area who have never heard of the work we do.

Let's make 1985-86 the year of telling our story. We have the tools.

- to develop broader volunteer leadership for the organization.

HOW KATHY BECAME AN LCVERA INSTRUCTOR

October 30th is the date of LCVl.;RA's Annual Meeting. Mark your calendar. rt will be something special.

Also keep the last weekend in June (1986) free for a gala fundraising event. Grace Hamiliton is Chairlady and will announce details in the fall.

Thanks to all of you for a smashing year at LCVERA, Fondly, Judy Lightfoot

I became familiar with LCVERA in 1982 through a friend in Lyme, I had previously been helping a lady in Cromwell with the start of a Therapeutic Riding Program at her ranch. She and I went, to what was then Cricklewood Farm, to observe a riding session. In experiencing LCVERA's riding program I realized I had a lot to learn, and with that I started to volunteer in hopes of gaining as much knowledge as possible.

In knowing how interested I really was, Anne Wright (who was the i!JJ!tructor) spent extra time explaining the hows and whys of instruction.

In March of 1983 1 attended and graduated from, the Cheff Center for the Handicapped in Augusta, Michigan.

This certified that I had gained enough knowledge and experience to become a Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

I worked for the Cheff Center the summer of 1983 as an instructor in their summer program and in the fall moved to New York where I instructed at a residential school for emotionally disturbed children.

Since first working for LCVERA as a volunteer I always wanted to come back and be part of the organization.

I applied for an instructor's position and was hired. Who says dreams don't come true?

The closeness and true concern of all involved in LCVERA makes my position one in which to be proud.

I look forward to growing with, learning more for the benefit of ou future students and the success of LCVERA. Kathy Skolem

LET'S GET ACQUAINTED Carolyn Jagielski is a LPT (Licensed Physical Therapist) and has been working with LCVERA for several years. She is responsible for the correct procedures with our clients. And well qualified she is!

Carolyn was educated at St. Mary's College of Notre Dame and graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.

In 1978 she received her M.S. in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University, School of Physical Therapy.

She has been a Staff Therapist at Doctors Hospital North in Columbus, Ohio; Highland Park Hospital, Highland Park, Illinois; Saint B'rancis Hospital, San Francisco, California; and Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Her clinical affiliations include Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation, Gonzales, Texas; Ada Wilson Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas; and Baylor University Hospital. Dallas, Texas.

She is currently a member of The Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association and the American Physical Therapy Association.

She is certified by the State of Connecticut, Department of Health Services.

Carolyn is married and lives in Guilford with her husband and two children.

Aren't we lucky to have her watching over us?

Our beloved former Instructor, Anne Wright, was married to Per Kjellson on June 8, 1985. They are living in Watertown, Virginia, All good wishes, Anne.

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These are but two of the letters that Marianne Pfeiffer received from Sandy Meissen's class at the Lyme School, upon the completion of the papier mache horse that she helped them make. (Marianne's story of this project was in the last Newsletter), As you can see they know that she is a Very Special Person.

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QUESTION OF THE MONTH? How many countries have Riding for the Handicapped Programs?

We have counted 15 - if we have left any out - please let us know.

England,Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Canada, Hong Kong, China, India.

GIFT from Edi Griswold to add to LCVERA'S Library - "CENTERED RIDING" '1y Sally Swift. Thank you, Edi.

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YEAR'S END REPORT 1984-85 has been a banner year for LCVERA, 64 riders and 79 volunteers have reaped the rewards of a most successful year.

LCVERA is fortunate that ten schools recognize the educational merit of our program and send forty riders during the school day. Ten adults ride after work and fourteen riders participate in an afternoon program.

Carolyn Jagielski, LPT continues to work with the physically handicapped t'iders, especially with 1.hrec young cerebral palsy riders whose progress has been exciting to doetors an<l parents as well us LCVERA. At the beginning of each semester of riding the volunteers were placed in a specific: team to work with a specific rider each week. Riders and volunteers alike greatly benefite<l from this 1,ystem. Riders became real friends with 11 their 11 volunteers and the volunteers felt even more of a commitment to cmne each week. The instructors credit the great progress of some of our riders to these special teams.

LCVERA and Pegasus (Fairfield Ct.) co-hoste<l a seminar on Developmental Vaulting

by Debbie Freeman, Head Instructor from Fortune Center in England.

Ten LCVERA riders competed in !.he Exceptional Hiders Division at the Children's Services Horse Show in lâ&#x20AC;˘'armington, CT. The distractions were many - Ferris wheels, bagpipe players, carriages and gaited horses ,sharing the same warm up ring, crowds of people plus the usual 'butterflies' in every competitor's stomach.

However our riders concentrated and came home decked out with ribbons.

LCVERA had to bn reevaluated by NARHA as we had new instructors and were using a new stable. An incredible amount of work was expelled making sure that we were doing our jobs right. We were indeed proud of our B7% score and our FulJ Accreditation!!

Way to go LCVERA!!

LCVERA's movie ~I THINK l CAN" which won the Blue Ribbon Award at the American Film l'e,stival in New York attests further to the Âľower of LCVEHA's; program.

Congratulations to all involved. . Special Thanks to all volunteers!!

Without YOU LCVERA wouldn't be the fine program it is.

Despite the downpour of rain and the rumble of thunder, June and Stu Hotchkiss hosted a lovely Pot Luck Volunteer Supper on June 12th, After a delicious supper, THE Movie waB, shown followed by a tape of the Farmington Horse Show, It was a perfect way to end a truly outstanding year.

Judy

CHILDREN'S

SERVICES RESULTS

Lovelace

HORSE SHOW

WALK - Sitting Trot Class (A) 1 - Martha Moront 2 Sam Perry of Essex on Pepsi (LCVERA rider) 3 Jenny Hotchkiss of Madison on Roamie (LCVERA rider) 4 - Sharyl Bodge of Durham on CoCheese (LCVERA rider)

WALK - Sitting Trot Class (B) of Chester on l - Guy Frechette Pepsi ( LC VERA rider) of Chester on 2 - Kerry Christianson Cocheese (LCVERA rider) on Roamie 3 - Kurt Zieman of Chester ( LCVERA rider) Patrick Moreno of Colchester on 4 Sunny (LCVERA rider)

-

WALK - Posting '!'rot (A) 1 - Jim Ogorzalek of Higganum on Sunny (LCVERA rider) 2 - Lisa Boyd of Madison on Uncle Bill (LCVERA rider) WALK Posting Trot ( B) J - Bill Re!(is of Columbia on Pegasus 2 - Peter Keller of Southport on My Apple 3 - Arueran Flynn of HadJyme on Cocheese (LCVERA RIDER)

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Patients are taught the riding basics on well-disciplined horses by instructors certified in techniques devised for handicapped riders.

"We were surprised to find not only short-term improvements in the participants' attitudes and positive changes in their physical output, but continued improvement," said Marie Fox, of the University's Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.

"One quadriplegic who began the program unable to sit upright by herself made such progress that she went on to compete in a riding exhibition this summer. No one but her parents and instructors knew she was a rider with a handicap."

All subjects, ranging in age from seven to forty-one, improved after each days riding session, and continued to do so until the end of the six week program. Those still riding after a year continued to improve both their motor output apd attitudes.

A control group given conventional therapy did not show improvements.

Therapy and rehabilitation programs have no standardized system for measuring improvements.

Marie !<'ox, Valorie Lawler, and Marvin Luttges devised instruments to measure physical improvement in people with a variety of impairments.

They are now working on a standardized system to gauge the effectiveness of conventional physical and occupational therapies and recreational activities.

,,

"1 can, I ca11, I can.

!! BLUE RIBBON AWARD !!

"I THINK I CAN" which won a blue ribbon at the American Film Festival in the Disabled category was produced

by Peter Pearce. While there were over 50 categorizes, there were over 1000 entries.

The festival is held each year by the Educational Film Library Association and is the largest and most important 16mm film festival in the country, attracting hundreds of producers, educators, and distributors from all over the country.

Since a lot of Network programming, both public and commercial, is independently produced, the American Film Festival offers a competition that gives potential film purchasers an opportunity to view, at one time, a wide variety of films This film has also won an award in the Super Fest in California.

Congratulations Peter!

Article in the April "Let's LIVE"

'85,

WHEELCHAIRS PUT ASIDE FOR HORSEBACK RIDING Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have found that people with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other physical and mental handicaps benefit from horseback riding.

Riding results in measurable improvement in coordinations, strength, posture and balance.

Learning to control a horse also instills pride and confidence.

You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true.

You may have to work R. Bach for it, however.

Horses Make A Landscape Look More Beautiful Title of a book of poems

by Alice Walker 5

In Continuation from Nell Herbst, owner of Pepsi-Cola: A modern day reply to "what's your bag?" might be for some of us involved with LCVEHA: "1 'm into horses."

The MIS-informed of the world perhaps think: horses - that means : rich, spoiled horse show show-offs, and UGH: manure, hair, ungodly hours and endless responsibility.

The JN-formed will under stand immediately and share quietly the knowledge that these beautiful creatures have so much to give us humans. The list. is endless: love, compassion, friendship, selfLESSness, forgiveness, God, communication, caring, responsibility.

1 am one of the truly fortunate to 11own 11 one of these creatures who through the now twenty-three years of his life has filled the role of Leach-EE and Leach-ER in many, many ways: school, camp, event, hunting, driving, foal-raising and now LCVERA, None of the aforementioned in Olympic caliber form; just the steady, reliable, more than adequate trustworthy sole that he is. How would he now react to wheelchairs, muscle spasms, wandering minds, death grips, dead weight, five people giving conflicting orders, heat, dust, chaos, hugs of thanks?

Need I have worried or questioned hiR new role in life? Not at all .... the expression on this animal's face during the awkward dismount mentioned above was not: Lernme ottu hcren but rather: "Did I stand still enough?".

I wonder if any of the miss-informed at the Farmington Horse show will understand who this un=shed--out kind ole' fella is and what he's doing. He looks "funny" standing among the sleek, fancy show kids, but he's a Champion of his own ilk; a spokesman for LCVERA and NARHA from the inside and out, not only for the horses, but also for those in the saddle AND on the ground.

He has a message .... who will hear him speak????

So much still to teach: I just hope the twenty three will turn out to be thirty two. "Into Horses" has yet another facet.

FARMINGTON SHOW PREAMBLE From Edi Griswold,

May 1985 :

On a sunny, breezy afternoon in May, one of our new volunteers brought her horse to the Gould's and two of my riders were there in order to get acquainted before participating in the forthcoming Farmington Horse Show. Before this day, the volunteer had worked only with some of the children who ride through their school programs al Kingswood, concentrating on leading her horse. Since those riders are both responsive and fairly independent, she was somewhat confused and overwhelmed as to what our riding program is all about. This day she was working with a Down's Syndrome adult and a Severe Brain Injury, speech impaired adult. She groomed and lacked up the adult with the SH.I rider, closely observing the mounting procedure and the brief get-acquainted/trial lesson on her equine friend, Pepsi-Cola.

She witnessed the metamorphosis of a very nervous, insecure, tense rider to a happy, confident, relaxed one who, to MY great excitement, rode better than ever. This was followed by the usual rather awkward dismount, for which Pepsi stoically stood still and square.

As the rider was running up his stirrups, I turned and watched as this volunteer wiped tears from her eyes.

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P.S. On a terribly hot sunny afternoon in June, Pepsi's relaxed attitude in the midst of show time chaos helped his riders do their very best. Thank you, Pepsi!

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WALDO JOHNSTON'S RAMP (This is the story of the making of -,ur new ramp as told by the builder's nife, Ellie) There has been a monster in our driveway.

I grant you it started as a thought, in fact first a small but brilliant light in the eye. Suddenly line drawings appeared on the kitchen table. Line drawings of what, you say, Well, in the beginning it was hard to imagine what those black lines meant - a box her, a slope there - an angle and some numbers of feet and inches in between.

Soon the builder was showing signs of withdrawal.

He left in the truck before the dust had settled on the raisin bran, and returned with more lumber than the truck could hold. The lumber came to rest in the garage and my car found itself under the hawthorn tree, under a busy nest of a mourning dove. The working days grew longer as spring pushed its way up.

In the shed, the builder assumed what can only be termed a fetal position 'or hour after hour in the gravel.

Three pairs of blue jeans bit the dust and an electric saw gave up its blade, and burned out entirely.

But never mind, the new one is smarter by far and takes up twice the house-room and has its own bench approximately 4" by 4 ". He took the dog food cans and the wood box and the boat box out of the garage.

When the drug store called, Tom said " Tell your husband we are all out of Winston Lights."

The Seaport called; "Where is he?"

The dentist called; " His tooth is ready", But that can wait. His accountant called; "Remember April 15th?"

Some thing was growing in the driveway, longer and longer; higher and higher.

Another saw went smoking into Mr. Dery's yawning truck.

There is a little yellow slip that makes note of 75 bolts. Mr. Speirs turned the Builder loose in his pipe cellar.

Twelve iron straps were made to hold the pipes. There was a tow rail and a ::hain railing.

There was as much safety built in as possible.

On the Paint Sunday, red went on underneath, gray on the ramp with sand to keep from slipping.

On a rainy night, with the help of six people and two trucks, the MOUNTING BLOCK for wheelchairs was

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Waldo's Mounting Block has been in use at Kingswood for the Spring session and has made life SO much easier for all concerned.

A Million !.hanks to Waldo for his wonderful work - and Ellie, too!

Introducing

Future

Paul John Jagielski, son of Carolyn and

Volunteers: born March 23rd, John Jagielski,

Sydney Kent Harreys, born May 18th, daughter of Sandy (Meissen) and Bill Harreys.

7

The program began in 1812 after Mr. Douglas, a research virologist at the National Institute of Health, was left partially blind and disabled from Multiple Sclerosis.

Instead of retiring to his wheelchair.

Mr. Douglas, who had learned to ride as a teenager, bought the Rock Creek Stables and began to ride each day despite his physical limitations.

Getting on a horse proved so beneficial that. Mr. Douglas began to experiment with Horseback riding for the disabled.

Mr. Douglas, himself, now walks without crutches.

Today the Center is affiliated with the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington and has 70 volunteers and 15 horses.

According to Dr. Leslie Jewett., associate director of the Office of Medical Education at Children's Hospital here, a continuing evaluation process indicates that most children have improved in at least one of four essential areas: language skills, math skills, motor skills and social skills "It is a wonderful program," said Dr, Peter A, Moskovitz, an orthopedic surgeon.

"People who work and live with these children say they move better and have better muscle relaxation and coordination.

And the mentally handicapped have a sense of mastery that they can't get in other spheres of their lives - the feeling of accomplishment carries over into other areas, 11 "There is something about these horses that gives the kids something to ride," Dr. Moskovitz said,"both in a colloquial as well as a literal sense."

FIRST LADY RIDES WITH THERAPEUTIC RIDING GROUP According to an article in the New York Times June 6, 1985, Nancy Heagan visited the National Center for Therapeutic Riding at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Hobert D, Douglas is the owner of this, the largest urban program of its kind in the¡ country.

To quote him: "Our basic goal is not to teach them (the clients) how to ride a horse but to help them to become a total being, physically and mentally, to work on motor skills and eye-hand coordination.

We build confidence, and when the kids return to the classroom it is all put together."

Five hundred students, ages 4 to 60, are enrolled in this therapeutic program.

One of the best known is James S. Brady, the White House Press secretary who was shot in the head in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan, Mr. Brady had joined the group in March and had "made a Jot of progress" according to Douglas, Nancy Reagan rode with Mr. Brady on ono afternoon and afterwards presented him with a riding crop for 0 a job "well done , "We are totally sold on the program" said Mr, Brady's wife, Sarah. "Jim loves it - he would go every day if he could." "I knew he would enjoy it", she continued, "but I had no idea that it would be so beneficial, He began to walk some without a cane within the first two or three weeks, and his physical therapist tolls me that he has developed his trunk muscles It has tremendously since starting, helped with balance and control of muscles that. they were not able to work with in his conventional physical therapy." ¡ "And one of the greatest satisfactinru:i'', Mrs Brady stt.id, is that it has given Jim sense of control ovflr hirnHelf and his horse.

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