Stephanie had a stroke at birth. Her moderate CP and neurological damage destroying speech wasn’t discovered until extensive testing when she was eighteen months old and only crawling. Eventually she did walk. “We realized she wasn’t going to be like other kids,” said her father, “so we had to adjust. For the most part, she didn’t realize she had handicaps. She knew she was different in some aspects but we expected the same behavior and attitudes as her older brother. Her handicaps are a part of her life but we didn’t want her to have an ongoing pity party. It was important for her to realistically recognize her capabilities.” Every night when Stephanie goes to sleep, her mother, Donna, leans over her and whispers, ‘You can do anything, Stephanie.’”
Alert and very bright at age three, Stephanie began classes with the WTRRA equine therapeutic program. She gained physical and emotional strength through the hippotherapy and pre-vaulting classes. Despite her lack of speech, Stephanie learned to communicate with smiles, her eyes, some gestures and signs.
Most of all, she learned that people were interested and valued her as an individual. “Over the years, we watched Stephanie gain self confidence. What a joy to watch her progress in her riding through the years,” said her mother. “At age seven, she was one of the first ones in the vaulting program. One of her favorite things was standing on the horse. It was a boost to her self-esteem. Over time, she went from two side walkers and a leader to being handed the reins. The progress has been slow because they had to find the right reins for her. I think she feels like an actual rider now without someone having to be there every moment.”
“At age nine, Stephanie became involved with the horse 4-H program. At the fair, she participated in showmanship and equitation. Every young girl dreams of riding a horse. The other girls were in awe because she got to ride a horse. When they saw Stephanie’s accomplishments and how hard she worked, their admiration was expressed in smiles and comments to her. This helped her gain more self-esteem.”
Step by step, Stephanie learned to open up and share who she was with new people. She became part of the equine program for the elderly. Summers found her leading Tater Tot, WTRRA’s miniature horse, while he gave cart rides to the elderly at the Discovery Care Center. Stephanie’s delightful sense of humor glows visually when she throws her head back and bubbles with laughter.
“Determination is another quality that shines in Stephanie,” said her instructor, Jan Cheney. “One day Stephanie struggled through her class on Dandy who was sour of his gaits. I said, Stephanie, you don’t need to put up with his behavior. Would you like another horse next time?” “Stephanie shook her head side to side. She slammed her fist into her hand and pointed to Dandy. Her facial expression said it all, ‘I’m in charge!’”
The following year, the alert brown eyes of Stephanie and the watchful brown eyes of a stocky built sorrel met for the first time. Her hand stroked Sis’s neck. The horse lowered her head to meet this young girl’s face. Stephanie’s smile spread in silent joy, I know Sis smiled too. A partnership was born. That beautiful connection between a person and her horse flourished as Stephanie and Sis learned how to respond to each others non-verbal cues during their classes.
It’s an August morning. Stephanie brushes Sis and helps her instructor saddle the horse for their lesson. The instructor hands her the special reins that aid Stephanie in directing Sis. Summer sunshine is pale compared to Stephanie’s smile and the light in her eyes as she guides Sis in a trot, weaving through a line of poles. I recall the words of her father, “We named her Stephanie Joy from the Bible. It means crowned with joy . . . and she is.” I watch this twelve-year-old equestrian move in rhythm with her equine partner. I hear a whisper; Stephanie holds the reins to her future.