DREAM RIDERS OF KENTUCKY
Faith Christian is a nineteen-year-old high school senior and like so many other teens her age, she likes to laugh, dream big for her future, and has amazing family support to make those dreams come true. Her close-knit family has definitely been her cheerleaders to help her be the amazing young woman she is today.
Joe and Leah Christian knew their unborn daughter was going to have challenges before she was even born. Doctors noted on Leah’s ultrasound that one foot was in an abnormal position, pointing up toward her shin. Her parents were told that if one deformity is seen, there may also be multiple unseen issues. Born one month early, she was named Catherine Faith, after her grandmother. The name Catherine means “pure,” and her parents hope their daughter is a reflection of pure faith.
Doctors diagnosed Faith with arthrogryposis, which is a condition that causes severe joint contractions along with muscle weakness and limited range of motion. She used a walker for several years, but as she has grown, mobilitiy difficulties have increased. Faith now prefers to use her wheelchair, especially when traveling long distances.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapies have been part of Faith’s life since she was a baby. When Faith was three, Leah said she started looking for alternative ways of therapy that were enjoyable for her daughter, and that’s when they discovered horses! Therapeutic horseback riding is a unique therapy that allows the movement of the horse to stimulate the rider’s pelvis and trunk in a manner which closely resembles the normal gait of a human. This process enables the patient to develop stronger core strength and balance.
During the months of April through June, Faith makes weekly trips to her favorite place, Dream Riders of Kentucky. Sometimes she starts her time by meeting, grooming and petting her assigned horse. Eventually, she enters the ramped mounting station and is raised by a specialized horseback riding lift which hoists her atop her hooved friend.
While sitting on the horse, Faith is assisted by physical therapists, who put her body in several different positions, allowing the movement to stretch Faith’s limbs. As she sits in her wheelchair, she demonstrates raising her hands in an extended T position above her head. Faith explained, “I have to sit up straight for sure when I do this.” Leah added, “I don’t know how she does it, but she does it.”
Suzy Higdon, Vice President of Dream Riders, says that specialized lessons plans are written for each child to address the weaknesses specific for each rider. There are different exercises, including games and tall poles requiring children to stretch in order to place rings at varied heights. Higdon says, “We set up the games to be so fun, they don’t know they are working.”
In addition to therapists, there are numerous volunteers that devote a combined 3,500 hours at Dream Riders. Leah says that she is most impressed with the volunteers. “It’s hot and it’s nasty sometimes. They spend their time out there working with kids they don’t even know. Hats off to the volunteers because they’re a great bunch of people.”
Dream Riders is currently in a transition year, as they are erecting a new building at the Lions Club Fairgrounds on Hwy 54. The wintry weather has slowed the progress of the construction, but Higdon said they are hoping to meet their projected April start date. Once the process is completed, there will be a large open house to welcome the community to visit their exciting new location.
When asked why she likes Dream Riders, Faith smiled and replied, “I love it because I love horses. I like to ride them. It’s not really because it’s therapeutic, but I just love horses. Horses are my favorite animals and I love to interact with them.”
-Elaine Martin