Hero, winner, champion all words we use everyday to describe people we see on TV playing sports, acting or singing. Yet, we don’t even know anything about them and so many times we are later disappointed by some foolish public display of these so called “HEROES”.

But real heroes and true champions are found next door everyday. Over the past eight years I have had the privilege of meeting many individuals that I consider real HEROES. Individuals that struggle to complete seemingly simple everyday tasks, struggle with muscles and bodies that don’t readily respond to there immediate needs. These are the riders I’ve met through Sunrise EquiTherapy. A program I volunteered for because of an interest in horses and people. This program is dedicated to helping those less fortunate than most. Little did I know I would meet so many goal oriented individuals, real heroes, who simply wanted to do something outside of the limits of their so called handicaps.

Seeing the rider’s work their way through the fears of getting on a horse that is often twice as tall as they are and bigger and more powerful than anything they had experienced in the past. Yet with patience and determination and often lots of prodding and encouragement from volunteers and family they find the courage to get up on these beautiful animals and learn to walk or even trot around the arena. Some times it’s just sitting on the horse’s warm back and stretching afflicted tendons and muscles further than possible in the past. What great courage and conviction.

Truly heroes in my mind. Then after lessons I’d find myself at home hurrying to catch up on my own chores and often think boy this is just too much time away from home and work. But then I’d remember those huge smiles and the happiness when someone, much less fortunate than I, would take that first step or even jog or trot the horse around the arena. How could one be so self centered and worried about a few hours out of ones week ?

The families and the adult riders live with the disability 24/7, but yet they take the time from their busy and demanding days to drive to the country, some coming as far away as Omaha, to experience equitherapy. WOW what a commitment and true giving of ones self. Maintain a household, hold down a job and care for a special needs individual. I can truly say I take much more away from the program then I could ever give back, it’s truly a ten fold return in one’s time when they find something like Sunrise’s program; you truly get more than you give.