| Sunrise EquiTherapy | Rider Testimonials - Terrie Koster | ||
In 2003 Terri was stricken with an aneurysm and stroke that affected her right side, her memory, her speech. and her will to live. The staff at Crete Manor Nursing Home tried everything to give Terrie hope for recovery, nothing worked. Then they discovered she had ridden horses in her younger years. Upon the suggestion of possibly riding again, Terrie had something to live for. Her feeding tube was removed, the wheelchair exchanged for a walker and she began to exercise to strengthen her body and mind so she could ride. Since that time, as you can see, Terrie has found a reason to live. Her walker has been discarded and in its place a 4-legged friend. She no longer needs the assistance of 4 volunteers to help her groom, tack-up, mount and ride. She does most of it by herself. Her right side has been strengthened and she rides with 2 hands on rainbow reins so she can remember hand placement and it keeps her right hand in check. Weaving through cones negotiating the walkover makes her body work on balance and her mind on memory. |
 |
|
Terrie wrote the following testimonial about the riding program and how it has changed her life: The happiest day of my life came when I met Rajati. His patience, warmth and love have made me whole again. Because of him I am able to walk independently and my memory is improving. I smile and laugh a lot more. I cannot describe the feeling I get when I ride, all I know is it puts me in a different frame of mind taking me away from all my problems. I love all the aspects of riding, grooming, leading, and tacking up. The sights, sounds and smells of the barn and the country fill my spirit. My goal is to move to an Assisted Living Facility and be an active and productive member of society and because of Sunrise EquiTherapy and Rajati my goals are soon to become a reality. Thank you Sunrise EquiTherapy. Four years ago life dramatically changed for 46 year old Terri when she suffered a stroke. Paralysis of her right side, memory loss, slurred speech, depression and will to live were the results. Crete Manor Nursing Home tried to give Terri hope for recovery, nothing worked. They discovered she had ridden horses in her younger years. Now, Terri had something to live for. her feeding tube was removed, the wheelchair exchanged for a walker and she began to exercise to strengthen her body and mind so she could ride. Terri has found a reason to live because of the Sunrise EquiTherapy program. She no longer needs the assistance of her physical/occupational therapists and Sunrise volunteers to help her ride. She now rides independently! Her right side has been strengthened, her speech understandable, and her memory improved. To quote Terri, "...when I met Rajati, a special horse, my life changed...his patience, warmth and love have made me whole again ...I can walk and ride independently ...I smile and laugh a lot more ...everything I experience fills my spirit." She is proud of her accomplishments and continues to challenge herself as she begins her 3rd year of riding. |
||
| Back to Rider Testimonials | ||
