How We Ended Up at Vinceremos

As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, I know firsthand what parents go through when their expectations of having a child can change in an instant. 

On October 20, 2009 that instant was now my own.  My daughter Adison was Born with an undiagnosed genetic syndrome.     Every parent wants the best for their child, but when you have a child with special needs that “best” becomes astronomical. 

When Adison turned a year old and was not even attempting to walk yet; physical, occupational and special instruction, were well ingrained in our daily schedule.   I have known about Vinceremos and therapeutic horseback riding my whole life.  In school I wrote papers on the benefits of horses and those with disabilities.  Little did I know those days would come full circle for me.  When Adison was 15 months old I called Vinceremos and said “when can we start?”  She was 21 months old when she got on her first horse.  She cried the whole time.  The volunteers played music and sang to her but she didn’t care.  She cried and cried until they got her down.   She cried for the next 3 sessions.  All of a sudden at the fourth session she loved it.  She mounted Misty May and looked straight at me with the biggest smile ever and waved bye-bye!  That’s when I cried and cried and cried.   It was amazing to see how much she loved being on the horse.  For the first time she had her own “thing.”  It made her so proud of herself it gave her confidence and at the same time it was helping to strengthen her little body.  And that made me so happy for her.  

Almost 2 months to the Day after getting on Misty May for the first time……….. Adison took her first two unassisted steps! 

Day 1
She's crying while the wonderful volunteers sing to her.

Day 4
Happy and waving Bye-Bye to me!