If you can find some way to further me from just therapeutic riding and into a competitive level of riding or something of that nature. I ride at a place called Little Creek which is actually not far from the Shepherd Center and that's who they work with now more then Chastain because the facilities are nicer. It's city owned and there are over 40 horses and the therapists are all NARHA certified or PATH certified. I am a high functioning l1-l2 incomplete who is capable of mounting myself on any sized horse and dismounting. My riding abilities are far above those of even most able bodied riders. I just don't get to push my limits it feels like they are holding me back and don't want me to get hurt again. The last thing on my mind while running or riding on a horse is getting hurt again and I have absolutely no fear of it. There won't be anything as bad as being run over by the person you loved the most's truck and remembering every moment of it. Neuropathic pain I wish that was all I had to deal with, but no my pain comes in the form of mental anguish and extreme physical pain that I am learning to get used to. I am not however used to having no goals to work towards as other sports don't really interest me the way horses do. So anything you can do for me would be of great value. Horses saved my life literally if it wasn't for Scout I wouldn't be here typing this to you I would have honestly chosen the easy way out, but our paths crossed and my life was again forever changed. I've been riding horses for over 14 years of my life and being as poor as I am doesn't make it very easy for me to live this kind of a lifestyle. It's very taxing on my family and I wish more then anything I could give something back in return. This I know was a gift to me and I'm not even a very religious person spiritual yes, it's obvious that horses are my spirit animal and have guided me through this roller coaster of life. Donna thank you I honestly do need to learn how to integrate back into society and am having a hard time doing so. Again I'm just lucky enough to have this but I want to go further. My 3 years will be coming up soon and they used to say it takes about 2 years to get used to it. I believe I won't ever get used to it and instead I have to try and find things to distract myself from that and riding horses and working with them is exactly what does that for me.

You need to find your own happiness.  Life is not a bowl of cherries and crap happens.  We can either wallow in self pity or find things we CAN do that will give us joy.  I am a C7 T2 paralyzed from the chest down and I have no grip in my hands.  My life before my accident was very active 4 wheeling, riding horses, swimming, camping, hiking, sports, etc.  and then at 28 yrs old I had my accident I had none of it, it was all gone.  All my friends even left because they could not handle seeing me in a wheelchair, even my 8 year relationship down the tubes, because he was embarrassed to be seen with me. Then 4 years after my accident my best friend (my mom)passed away a week after she had surgery.........I never get a full nights sleep anymore, and I am either constipated or have diarrhea and let's not forget having to cath every 4 hours or less depending on how my bladder wants to act.  What I am trying to say is; yes it can be rough and even rougher if you sit and dwell on everything that is negative.  Look around you. You can ride your horses, what I would give to ride again and I am assuming you live out in the country; lucky you.  Everything I loved to do was taken away from me but at least your not stuck in a city and unable to ride.  Do your own therapy.  I am a quad and I do my own range of motions.  Listen, look inside yourself and find your inner strength because it is there, you just have not found it.  I do not have many friends either and no one who is disabled.  A disabled person must lean on them selves and become stronger.  I do not nor will I ever take medications to deal with depression because in my opinion crap happens; if we stumble and fall we need to get right back up and keep moving on.  You will not find happiness until you find some kind of happiness within you.  I am not trying to be rude or disrespectful, but someone needs to be blunt with you.  Also, with muscle spasms try warm baths and deep heating rubs also try heating pads on low but be careful because you can burn easy.  I found that medication is not the answer to solving sadness because it only masks it.  In life we must make our own happiness.  You ever feel like talking just get a hold me okay. I am at britzdiana@yahoo.com.......I'm actually a nice person and I'm here for anyone who needs an ear to listen.