Angelica Grace Designs Blog

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

HIPPOTHERAPY

Meet Gideon! Gideon is Kenidi's new best friend. She started "Hippotherapy" today. Hippotherapy is therapy on a horse. And let's just say...Kenidi thinks therapy on a horse ROCKS! This was by far the easiest therapy session we've ever had. Normally therapy can be a bit of a stressful event. Most times, patients like Kenidi don't like therapy and the "having to work" aspect of the sessions. They can be very tiring, draining, physically and mentally exhausting, and so forth. But today however...was a totally different ball game. Kenidi adores horses as it is. So when she realized she was going to be riding horses for therapy this evening, she was on cloud nine!

Just about the time I feel like I'm getting real comfy with photography, God plays a sick joke on me and sets my comfort and knowledge level real straight - always reminding me to never get ahead of myself. Tonight was no different. I was in a dark indoor horse arena with fluorescent lighting. For a photographer, this type setting makes you want to vomit. Literally! I got more red eye in this one session in that barn then I think I have my whole life behind the lens of a camera. It was crazy! Definitely a new challenge for me. Let's just say that I'll be practicing plenty in the weeks to come while in that barn with her and those horses. I was beyond frustrated when I left there. These images were the best ones I could get. Either way...I just had to share them. I didn't mess with editing the red eye glow and such. Brent is at the office and eagerly awaiting the photos so I decided just to get them up and on here ASAP. Also, please ignore the Angie Seaman Photography logo on them. I've had several people lifting my images off my blog lately so I've decided to start adding my photography watermark to each photo I place on here. A bummer - I know. However, I'm not real keen on the idea of these individuals "borrowing" my images. Especially when it comes to ones of my kids or my photography in general.

Back to Hippotherapy...

Kenidi had been on the waiting list for this place for the past 8 months. It was a long process but we are so thankful that she got in. She is taking OT (occupational therapy) thru them there now and we are praying for a PT (physical therapy) slot to open up for her real soon too. I was so pleased and so impressed with this place tonight. Kenidi's occupational therapist, Julie, is in the red shirt. The other two gals are "spotters" while she is on the horse. They will be there until she gets used to riding and until they are sure that the horse is OK with her - with Kenidi as much as she is OK with him.

I've always heard great things about Hippotherapy but never realized just how helpful it could potentially be for Kenidi's hypotonia issues until tonight. Watching her on that horse confirmed how many core muscle groups she'll have to use to keep her balance and form while riding him. At one point, she even rode Gideon backwards and some sideways as well. Each angle is a new muscle group that is working.

All of the staff was incredible. We are so blessed to be able to utilize this facility for Kenidi's needs. I cannot wait to see what kind of progress she makes with this avenue.

I'm also excited to think of all the stressful therapy sessions that are most likely behind us now in part due to this horse therapy. She doesn't feel like she is working. I'm sure it is more fun than work for her. I know it was for me tonight. HA! It was just a pleasant experience overall. We all left there with smiles on our faces rather than panting from exhaustion due to melt downs.



This last photo below was of the therapist letting Kenidi say goodbye to her horse. I loved it. So very sweet! This child inspires me more and more each and every day. Although the roads are long and tough when it comes to Kenidi's special needs, I am thankful for the journey and the lessons she has taught me. If the world itself had half the determination and will power that special needs children possess, we'd all be in a much better place. "The climb is grueling and the struggles she is facing might knock her down but she isn't breaking." Thanks for always teaching us to "always keep pushing on" Kenidi. Thanks for always teaching us to keep "moving those mountains and that it isn't about how fast we get there. It's the climb." We love you sweetie!

Hugs, Mommy

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12 Comments:

Blogger Molly said...

That is so neat!!! My little sister loves horses!!! Looks like Kenidi had a blast and got therapy out of it too. I always say a little prayer for Kenidi when I pray for my sister, special needs children need all the help from God that he can give. Have a great night!!!
~Molly P

3/18/2009 9:19 PM  
Blogger brooke said...

and now i am bawling...again...
being a christian lady i am sure you know of
ginny owens, she is a blind christian artist...
this song has always meant a lot to me and your kenidi instantly reminded me that while He never said it would be easy, He promised that we would never complete this walk alone...i made this song the first song on my playlist so you can pop over to my page to listen if you like...and maybe you have heard this song before...but i am going to post the lyrics here for you because they are so amazing...this being the super long comment it is i will understand if you don't publish it...

Ginny Owens \ If You Want Me To

The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I dont know the reason why you brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I will go through the valley
If You want me to

CHORUS:
Now I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my own
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

3/18/2009 9:40 PM  
Blogger More Than Words said...

Angie...what a blessing that she is able to do this!!!! Wow!!! I can't wait to hear how it's helping her in the evenings!!

3/18/2009 10:13 PM  
Blogger Alice said...

Inspired!!! That is all I can say.

3/18/2009 10:31 PM  
Blogger glam R baby said...

Awww...way to go Kenidi!! Thats so awesome!! I've always heard animal therapy is some of the best therapy out there!! How excited and proud of herself she must have been!!! Keep us posted on her amazing progress!! :o)

XOXO
Noelle

Peace,♥,Couture!!

www.glamrbaby.com
www.glamrbaby.blogspot.com

3/19/2009 1:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, what a neat way for therapy! I have never heard of this before! I am so glad that she enjoys this and I know it had to be less stressful for you.

Tell Miss Kenidi that I am JEALOUS!!!

3/19/2009 8:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey honey, since I cannot go on the web site to comment anymore from work, I will comment to you and you can comment for me( If you want). I have tears in my eyes, just seeing and reading about Kenidi and her new found friend. I feel like the Lord must have paired them up. I have a great feeling about their relationship. I just know she will do well with him! I have to go for some of her sessions with you. Where is this place at? Also I love your lip balm! I want some AGD lip gloss and mirror. xoxoxo Grandma Sue

3/19/2009 8:05 AM  
Blogger Rachel said...

These are great! So glad she finally got in...I am sure she had fun and didn't realize it was work.

3/19/2009 10:50 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

From one photog to another, "borrowing" is a HUGE NO-NO! ESPECIALLY when it's your child. You make the watermark BIG and INTRUSIVE!

3/19/2009 2:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too am in the process of getting Alicen into hippotherapy as well. Those waiting lists are long though. I have been checking into a special ballet/dance class that Alicen can participate in even though she is in her wheel chair. These pictures really give us allhope. God is truly awesome.

Christina ( a preemie mom )

3/20/2009 11:13 AM  
Blogger Missy said...

That is so great! She looks like she has really taken to it right away! Almost all of the kids I have seen (including Brendon) had a rough first few sessions. (Brendon was freaked out by the helmet on his head! :-)

Brendon has Julie, too (Mondays at 2pm) She rocks.

3/20/2009 10:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My daughter Francessca "Frankie" was born 1 lb 10oz.and also get's pt/ot/speech & aqua theropy. We recently just found out that she has CP a moderate case but will need to wear braces from her ankle down. They say that the horses body helps the child to relax and to stretch their little muscles. I am excited to start Hippotherapy. We have a little bit of a wait but I think it will be well worth it. I feel in my heart that it will help Frankie build strength and confidence in herself. I love your daughter's story good luck!

3/21/2009 4:13 AM  

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