Rider Stories
Jenna’s Healing with Horses
Mountin’ Hopes serves children of all ages with many different kinds of challenges and a rapidly growing number of adult riders. Jenna Nagle, aged 26, started riding at Mountin’ Hopes in the summer of 2004. Jenna, at the age of 24, suffered a medical accident that caused a loss of oxygen to her brain. The resulting brain injury left her in a coma and she was not expected to live. After that prediction, her physicians said she would be in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of her life. After 5 months of hospitalization, her family disagreed with the suggestion that she go to a skilled nursing facility and took her home to the house she had purchased before her brain injury. She began therapies with her caregivers and in the summer of 2004 she began riding regularly at Mountin’ Hopes. In the following interview her mother Karen Nagle tells the story of Jenna’s miraculous recovery and how Mountin’ Hopes has helped Jenna and her family.
MH: “What brought your family and Jenna
to Mountin’ Hopes?
Karen: “Jenna has loved horses for years and at the time of her injury was considering volunteering at Mountin’ Hopes.”
MH: “What other types of therapy has Jenna been receiving?
Karen: “Jenna receives physical, occupational and speech therapy on a daily basis. She also receives cranial-sacral therapy.
MH: “Has Jenna responded differently to therapeutic riding when compared to other therapies?”
Karen: “The biggest difference is that she gets tremendous enjoyment out of TR and really looks forward to it each week. Participating in TR has greatly increased her confidence and this increases her achievements in other therapies. TR has definitely improved her balance, coordination and strength.
MH: “Describe Jenna’s progress since coming to MH.”
Karen: “At first Jenna needed 2 side walkers and her upper body lacked strength and stability. By this summer’s end she was able to ride independently and steer her horse by herself. Jenna now has greatly improved endurance as a result of TR.”
MH: “What would you advise to a family experiencing a severe challenge like this if they were considering TR?
Karen: “I would strongly suggest that they make TR a part of the overall plan for rehabilitation. TR compliments other therapies and provides a great sense of competence. This competence supports progress with other techniques of healing. I also believe frequency is important in order to maintain and achieve continued progress.
Charles Rides High
When
Cynthia Broaddrick enrolled her son, Charles, at Mountin’ Hopes in the Fall
of 2005 she was confident therapeutic riding would be a good choice for
him. Physical and occupational therapists had advised her that this
could help Charles in his struggle with the physical challenges of Cerebral
Palsy. A specific benefit of therapeutic riding for people with CP
is that it teaches the body about the rhythmic sensation of gaited motion.
After Charles’ first visit to Mountin’ Hopes, it was clear to his Instructor, Carrie, and LeAnn, Program Coordinator, that Charles would require a program tailored specifically to his needs, allowing him to gradually orient himself to this new stimulating experience. Besides living with cerebral palsy, Charles also faces the difficulty of a deficit in sensory integration. This means that Charles can be easily overcome by sights, smells, sounds and touch sensations that present no difficulty for most of us.
Toby, an old Arabian gentleman, was the therapy horse chosen for Charles.
Toby stood quietly each week to allow Charles to begin to integrate the
tremendous amount of sensory stimulation that a half ton animal can present.
Gradually, Charles became more confident and a big breakthrough happened
the day Charles “led” Toby from his wheelchair. Charles now mounts
his horse “Tea Biscuit” and rides each week! His family sees significant
progress in his balance, muscle tone, and ability to communicate – all resulting
in greater independence.
“The confidence that Charles has gained through Therapeutic Riding can’t be credited to anything else he is involved with right now. It is a very important step towards greater independence, something we all want for Charles,” said his mother Cynthia.
Seeing the progress that Charles has been able to accomplish is a source of great pride and satisfaction for our employees and volunteers. At Mountin’ Hopes we make a difference!
Call: 828.689.2291