care, so Carrie was raised pushing wheelchairs at zoos and feeding residents at parties. She even helped start a pet therapy program at the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton. “The world of disabilities has always been very normal to my family,” Capes said. After graduating from college with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Capes worked at Central DuPage Hospital in their psych department, did an internship in physical rehab and worked in prevention at Ben Gordon Center, coordinating their Operation Snowball program and serving as a sexual assault and abuse counselor. While her family didn’t own any horses growing up, she did take riding lessons in high school and college. She didn’t combine her work and horses, though, until after her son, Max, was born with a genetic mitochondrial disorder—which caused him to have hearing and cognitive impairment and developmental delays.
They tried all kinds of therapy with Max—physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental therapy, speech therapy. He even did hyperbaric oxygen therapy. But the first time that Max rode a horse they knew that it was going to be important for him. “It was the most empowering, beneficial therapy we’d ever done for him,” said Capes. “Nothing was as fun, as exciting, as engaging for Max as riding horses. He loves animals. He loves the interaction with the volunteers and the instructors.” Max is 18 now and has been riding since he was eight. Capes was spurred to get back into horseback riding and become a PATH certified instructor so she could better teach her son. She had been doing special education substitute teaching for about five years in the Kaneland School District when they began the therapeutic riding program, and within a few months she was working with HorsePower full-time. She currently works 50-60
DeKalba place Public Library for everyone Hours of Operation Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Delano’s
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Decorating Homes and Businesses Since 1945
• Complete Line of Flooring • Window Treatments • Merillat Cabinets • Custom Picture Framing • Paint & Wallpaper
309 Oak Street
SM-CL1621423
(815) 756-9568
dkpl.org
223 North Fourth Street • DeKalb • 815-756-2951 www.DelanosHomeDecorating.com
SM-CL1621420
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