Angelica Grace Designs Blog

Monday, March 23, 2009

HIPPOTHERAPY - PART 2

Thought I'd share some more images of Kenidi during her hippotherapy sessions this past week. Ironically, we got into another hippotherapy clinic for PT on Friday while we await an opening on the waiting list at the place she is currently getting OT hippotherapy from. This 2nd place was a bit different - much dirtier - like a barn would be on the inside - and definitely colder. It was an indoor barn but didn't have the heat factor going for us like her new place does where she gets OT from. Either way, we threw on some heavy coats and took it like big girls and big boys (Brennen was with us). Kenidi had a full hour on the horse this time and loved every moment of it. I didn't get a lot of shots because this barn was so dusty that I was literally shaking at the thought of bringing out my camera and lenses while in there. The last thing you want to do to a digital camera is take it around dust. It can really dirty up your sensor and cause major headaches if it does. The first therapy clinic actually wets down their dust on the ground of the arena so it wasn't as bad. This 2nd place however, was DDUUUSSSTTTYYY!So...please just bare with what I got. Again, it was a challenge even though we had more light coming into this barn than we did the first indoor arena. Never fails!
The above image is of Kenidi tossing weighted rings into colored hoolah-hoops. She had to walk the horse around to each colored hoop and then drop the appropriate/matching weight into that specific hoolah-hoop.

Meet Buddy! (shown above) Her horse on this day was wwwayyyyyyyyy larger than that first one she road. Scared Mommy to pieces! He was as calm as calm could be though. The trainers and side walkers stated that he was "bomb proof." When I asked what that meant, they said that if a bomb were to go off in here, Buddy would continue standing still - not moving at all. Somehow though...I find that very hard to believe. Ha ha!

These horses have been trained to handle any and all kids - pinches, pokes, prods, mane pulling, etc. It's amazing to watch what they are willing to endure for these children. Trainers at their hoofs, people leaning toys over them, placing toys on top of them, etc. It's crazy what they will put up with.
In the image above, Kenidi is getting a high five from one of her side walkers for a job well done. You can tell by her smile that she doesn't consider this type of therapy "work." She is having a ball with it.

Above, shooting some hoops while on top of Buddy. Buddy didn't mind the goal at his side whatsoever.

And above...she is riding backwards again...
This next shot below is one of my all time favorite pictures - EVAH! I love the dust being kicked up by the horses hooves as the daylight sun shines in on the floor of the barn. I love the stride of the horse at that moment as well as Kenidi's facial expression as she looks down to enjoy it all and take it all in.

With that said...while on the topic of therapy and special needs...won't you help us spread the word to end the r-word.

As many of you know, we had a great and somewhat heated debate last week here on the ol' AGD blog regarding Obama's off the cuff remarks regarding the Special Olympics and his bowling skills. Well just this weekend, I was invited via Facebook to join a group that is promoting awareness in regards to this topic and the slang term of "retard" when joking with others in life. I'm sure we've all heard someone say at some point..."You are such a retard!" (or something similar) It is because of that term that I've chosen to join forces with the Special Olympics to help promote the deletion of that terminology in every day language. It is hurtful and offenseful! As you view the photos of my daughter above and think about the daily grind she goes through as well as the hours of therapy sessions she endures just to attempt to be somewhat normal - like the rest of her peers - will you also consider her feelings and the feelings of others when that slang (the r-word) as well as other insensitive comments such as President Obama's are used? Will you help us by sharing the banners shown above and below by placing them on your blogs as a topic or at least as a side banner? The more people who are willing to place this logo on their blogs, the more awareness we will bring to the pain caused by those who choose to so loosely use these terms in their every day lives - as jokes. Disabilities are not a joke. They are real. They rob my child and other children like her in this world of a normal life. Disabilities do not have a conscience. They feel no remorse. Disabilities just are! Please help us turn such a negative ordeal (in regards to Obama's insensitive words) into a HUGE positive by promoting this pledge and the awareness of the pain inflected when "joking" about those with disabilities. Whether your words are meant to be a joke or not, they are painful to those who suffer day in and day out from the life that a disability stole from them.

Thanks in advance for all of your support! And many thanks to all of my facebook friends who accepted my invitation to join this pledge and this group via facebook. There are no words that can express my gratitude for your compassion. I thank you and Kenidi Grace thanks you as well.

Always,

Angie, Kenidi, and family
r-word.org

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16 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well that just warms my heart. Makes me want to give Buddy a big 'ol Red apple! Good job Kenidi! Have a great day.
Heather

3/23/2009 11:23 AM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Way to go Kenidi! We are so proud of you!! I can't wait to see more pictures of your horse-riding adventures!

3/23/2009 12:58 PM  
Blogger Rachel said...

She looks like she is enjoying her therapy with Buddy! Great pics!

I saw the heated debate; it fathoms me how it totally went off topic and went to a black/white thing...so sad. I wish you all the strength in the world and keep your head up girl!!!

3/23/2009 1:12 PM  
Blogger Missy said...

Angie, I just love the joy on Kenidi's face. I don't know about you, but I have always worried about "over-therapying" (if thats a word) Brendon. I try so hard to balance all of this needs and give him the daily fun of a 'typical' child. Hippotherapy is just plain FUN for them and I love that it's fun! I have tt to other moms there that say their other children have this sport or that sport and it's nice that their special needs child can 'have' his/her horses.

I appreciate your efforts on ending the 'r-word.' I agree that these precious angels do not deserve this pain. I just hope that it goes beyond the word.

As a journalism major in college, I get downright nerdy about words and social issues. I use words for their dictionary definition and get annoyed when they take a life of their own in slang.
Words become powerful as they are ignited. (whether that be through media attention or other means) I am thinking about the word of the day on Pee-Wee Herman's old show.... That was a perfect example of stigmatizing a word.
Meaning, if a group of children decided that 'swordfish' was a derogatory term....they could run with it. Months later, I might have a tearful son standing in my doorway because someone called him "swordfish." Well, what exactly does that mean? Is it the word or the underlying intention to hurt my child I need to deal with.

As I have said before, the original label of 'Mentally retarded' given these children by the medical community means, by definition, mentally slowed or mentally impeded. The word retard is used to indicate, for example, "His driving speed was retarded by the wind"
Society, in its infinite corruption, took that word and made it a slang to hurt.
I hope and pray that this campaign will remove the word from hurting the feelings of people with special needs. I also hope in a bigger way that those using it as a teaching tool with their children will pull the weed out by the root, so to speak, to work on the ROOT of the problem--- not feeling threatened by those that are different from us. Teach our children that its not cool getting a cheap laugh at the expense of someone else's feelings ....whatever it is that is different....glasses, hair color, freckles, obesity, disability, etc. Instead of saying, "What makes you different....how about what makes you special/unique?"

Without making this post a black and white issue.....I'll use as an example that removing the "n" word has done little to fix racism. It takes a broader and deeper effort.

You can remove a word, but you can't change the character --- the underlying ignorance --- without the education.

I hate the new FB. I will get on there and search for your cause and join....not sure why it's not coming up. arggh.

Take care,
Melissa

3/23/2009 1:28 PM  
Blogger Angie Seaman said...

Thanks Missy. Every little bit helps girl. I love ya and appreciate you tons sista'!
Angie

3/23/2009 1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I’m “just sayin’”, too - it’s the same old double-standard for the far left ....they can say anything,
whole different standard for who can say what about “human life,” (For that matter, anyone agree with or espouse their left-wing nonsense.
All life has value and God decides when to create life, therefore, it’s valuable.-and to be respected.

Been praying for you & your heart condition and the rest of your beautiful little family.

Love ya,
Carol

3/23/2009 2:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Angie , A great big " Thank You " you for your sensitive heart and your " Boldness " to FIGHT for your child and ALL the other " special needs " chlidren around the world !! Like I have told you before it has been through , my " Precious Grandduaghter , Bailee , " who has CP that God has taught me so many , many life changing valuable lessons , I believe God made these precious chldren with " special needs " to open our hearts and teach us what real true " God like UNCONDITIONAL LOVE " really is !! Keep up the work and fight when you need to .... you go girl !!!!! I'm standing in your corner and supporting ALL you AWESOME Mom's and Dad's who love and care for " God's Chosen Angels " !!!!

I love the pictures of your and Brent's " Sweet Angel " . Her smlie " lights up my life " when I see her pictures !! I think her and Bailee need to be on a billborad together " Smiling " those BEAUTIFUL SMILES they have !!!!

Again , Thanks for touching the lives of my son and his sweet family ( Brandon , Rhonda , Bailee and Brooklyn Bryant ) ,for in touching them you and your family have " Blessed " me and my husband too !!!

In His Love and Mine ,
Debbie Kibby ( Bailee and Brooklyn's Mee Mee )

3/23/2009 2:22 PM  
Blogger Angie Seaman said...

You always manage to bring my tears rolling Debbie. Thank you for your kind words and your undying support. I couldn't do it without your and Rhonda's extra umphs - your help to my skip in my step during challenges such as this. You guys know first hand what it is like to raise a child with special needs whose feelings are so fragile yet also so unconditionally filled with ladels and ladels of love. I adore and love you as well as that precious family of yours in Alabama. When we fly over next Thursday as we head south, pretend that you see plane wings tilting back and forth in the sky. It'll just be us waving hello you to you as we pass over my friend!

Many many hugs...
Angie

3/23/2009 2:29 PM  
Blogger L said...

Hi there... I've posted on my blog about stopping the Rword. Never been a fan..and always have not "allowed" that word around me! Even my friends knew not to say it! I'm with you and there shouldn't be a debate....I taught a k-3 special education class for 2 years before my son was born and before that I worked in homes with children with autism, etc as a skills trainer and also in the community. I LOVED it....I'm forever changed by knowing people who have disabilites. We called it PERSON FIRST LANGUAGE...for example, a boy with autism... not an "autistic" or a austic boy. or a child with down syndrome...not a "downs kid". I encourage everyone to use person first language...AND eliminate the R-word!
Here is my stop the r word post...
http://arewardfromhim.blogspot.com/2009/03/r-word.html
Take care!

3/23/2009 2:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll be looking for those wings " waving " to me !!!! I pray that you and your family will have a " Fantastic , Peaceful and Much needed Restful " trip to your favorite place ... the BEACH !!!!!

God Bless You All !!!

Much Love,
Debbie Kibby (Bailee and Brooklyn's Mee Mee )

3/23/2009 2:51 PM  
Blogger Bunny Chic Boutique said...

LOVE these pics of Kenidi ~ what a Fabulous and Fun activity for her. She's such an inspiration to me in so many ways. Well ~ actually you and your whole family are inspirational....

Thanks so much for sharing!!! I LOVE this post and your previous post about hippotherapy.

Bunny Hugs ~

Jayne

3/23/2009 3:18 PM  
Blogger Molly said...

Hey Angie!!! I joined the cause on Facebook that you sent to me. I can not tell you how many times people have looked at my sister "weird" b/c of the way she talks or if she doesn't know something point to it. I know being deaf is different than having down syndrome and what Kenidi has, but it hurts just the same. I can remember one time we were at the grocery store and I was naming out everything we were putting in the basket and a woman approached me and asked why I was "talking" like that. I told her my sister was deaf and I was trying to explain that she had cochlear implants to hear and by me explaining what things were helped her to identify the object. She then told me "good luck with that" and laughed as my sister was trying to say hello to her. I cried right there in the store and said a few choice words. People are so hateful and hurtful. They really have no respect for ANYBODY, whether your normal or not. And I would love to know who wrote the rule book and classified people as "normal" or not. You are the way God created you and everyone brings someting special into this world. Thank you Angie for posting this and helping in the fight for "special needs" children and adults.
~Molly P

3/23/2009 3:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will never forget the very first time I got enough nerve to take Alicen trick or treating. We made such a big deal of getting her dressed in her giraffe costume, that Grandma had to alter because of her feeding tube, etc and we even decorated her wheel chair. One small child who in my mind was old enough to know better had the nerve to ask me if Alicen was broken. I literally did not know what to say to him so I said No God made her special. The childs mother just stood there. I find it very difficult to go places because of the awful comments and the stares from people who should know better. My child is only 4 and she should not have to be subject to this kind of hurtful behavior but other than being her advocate what else can we do. I am super proud of my daughter, who gets all excited and starts hollering, me and her daddy think it is awesome because just over 4 years ago we were told that she would not even be here now. Praise God for my little screamer. We have an agency in Sullivan Illinois and it is called The Moultrie County Beacon. It is an agency who assists people of all ages who have mental disabilties. People call them Beacons and I literally cringe. (People use this word (Beacon) the same way they use the R word) A child with disabilties has to be elligible for this program in order to receive assistance through other programs. I receive respite care for Alicen through this program. Thank you Angie for allowing me a little space to vent. I love the pictures of Kenedi with the horses. We are waiting for Alicen's name to come to the top of the list here in Decatur Illinois.
Christina ( a preemie mom )

3/23/2009 4:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! I am in tears. The joy of seeing Kenidi on Buddy, and all the nice and emotional words of all the nice folks on here. You know Obama might have caused a stir with what he said about special needs children, But God and Angie, and all of her faithful followers have turned the whole situation around for the good. You Guys Rock!!!!

3/23/2009 6:48 PM  
Blogger Samantha said...

Thanks for letting us know about this challenge. As a parent of a child with special needs, it breaks my heart to hear people say hurtful words about these special and unique people. My blog post today was inspired by yours. Thanks for keeping us informed and fighting for all our special kids.
Samantha

3/24/2009 12:54 PM  
Blogger Carma Sez said...

great pics. This is a wonderful program.

Just poppin' by from UBP to say "hi" - party on :-)
carma

3/24/2009 1:36 PM  

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