A Special Opportunity For The Disabled
By Rev. Dr. Daryl C. Greene

One balmy summer evening last July, my wife invited me to go for a drive in the country. I was enjoying the gently rolling hills of the landscape as we moseyed down Minneman Road. Suddenly, we came to a sign: "Sunrise". We turned into the long drive and pulled up in front of a large wooden barn. As I walked up the ramp to the door I was a bit nervous. "What am I getting myself into?"

I was getting myself into a new hobby - horse back riding. You might not imagine that a person like me, who has trouble walking, and who must use Canadian Crutches, a heavy duty walker, or a power scooter could ride a horse!

When I stepped through the door, I found myself standing in a sparsely furnished classroom. I was introduced to my riding coach, Joan Clark and to several volunteers who were on hand to assist me with my first lesson.

Joan looked at me and said firmly, "Safety first! Take off your cowboy hat and put on this white safety helmet." I watched as an assistant led a tall dark horse to a platform at the front of the indoor riding arena. The horse tossed his head and snorted as he passed me.

"Your horse is saying hello!" Joan laughed, "Let me introduce you. His name is Prince.

Even though the platform came up to Prince's belly I wondered how I was going to get my leg over the horses( back. But before I knew what had happened, I was sitting astride his broad back, six feet off the ground. My helpers had made it so easy for me to get into the saddle that I was surprised to be there! With one assistant leading the horse, and two volunteers walking beside to catch me if I fell off, we headed through the gate and made our first pass around the arena.

My first lesson was so much fun that I returned the following week. I have not missed a lesson since, except when the temperatures fell well below freezing. I have strengthened muscles that I did not even know I had. My balance has improved, I have learned how to use the reigns and to command my horse and I am now learning to post at the trot.

Sunrise is part of a national organization that provides disabled persons with the opportunity to ride. At the present time more than 20 children and adults with a wide range of disabilities are participating in the Sunrise program. The lessons are fun and they are free! For more information contact Joan Clark at (765) 935-0787.

This article first appeared in the Palladium-Item of Richmond, IN. It is part of a series produced by the Richmond Community Council on Disability Awareness, of which Dr. Greene is a member.


Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

To return to the column list, Click Here