Ideas and a Community Contact

     So I have finally nailed down my series idea: Healing. It works with the whole Japan earthquake, hope in the aftermath theme that Avalon has and it also works with my project because horses are able help us heal in so many different ways. Therapeutic Riding is a growing occupation that is helping more and more people in need each year. Here is a list of some of the conditions and challenges that NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) helps with. 

• ADD or other Hyperactivity Disorder
• Amputation
• At risk-youth
• Attention deficit disorder
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delay
• Down syndrome
• Emotional, behavioral difficulties
• Family counselling
• Grief counselling
• Learning disabilities
• Muscular dystrophy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Paralysis
• Reactive attachment disorder
• Spina bifida
• Spinal cord injury
• Strokes
• Substance addiction and abuse
• Terminal illness
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Visual and auditory impairment
• Weight Control Disorders

(www.narha.org)


    Horses are also able to just listen. Somehow they know exactly how and when to make you smile. No matter what. And a good ear that can never tell your secrets is always better than a gossip.
   I got an email address of a woman my mom works with whose daughter goes to a therapeutic riding center near Cortland. I am going to email her to ask about the center as well as how her daughter likes it. I'll also ask for the contact information of this center to see if I could come and take pictures for my project.