We are so grateful for the opportunity Sarah-Hope has had to participate in SARDA - South African Riding for the Disabled. It has benefitted her tremendously, especially in terms of confidence and community.
Confidence
Sarah-Hope's confidence has increased significantly through her participation at SARDA. This goes beyond having had the opportunity to be out in the fresh air and working with an animal. SARDA is a place where something is expected of you, and you are supported in achieving it. This is not usually the case for a 'disabled’ child. The positive expectation, unique goals, warm support and subsequent sense of accomplishment has had a profound effect on her.
Working up to trotting on a horse has enabled Sarah-Hope to develop balance and stability, which is essential for her given that she suffers from a low platelet count and has no arms to break a fall should she topple over. The planned events (country challenge, end of year celebration etc) are all opportunities to display progress and to be publicly recognised for it - again something which disabled children are often excluded from experiencing. It is wonderful to see Sarah-Hope beaming with pride as she receives her rosettes.
Community
For Sarah-Hope, seeing other kids with challenges has also been important (often she might feel like the odd one out with her physical differences)... and seeing all these children working towards specific goals has been brilliant. There’s a wonderful sense of camaraderie and she has such positive role models both among the other children and the volunteer helpers.
As a family, we've been hugely grateful for seeing and connecting with other families facing challenges. This helps with the isolation we can often feel.
Without SARDA, we wouldn’t be able to make horse riding (including the adaptive measures required for Sarah-Hope) possible for her. It is an activity that is expensive and time consuming. Given the demands of children with additional challenges, families often don’t have the emotional, time or financial resources as there is so much else you are dealing with.
SARDA is a generous programme that makes it possible for children to benefit in a myriad of ways from working with horses. A huge thank you to those who make this possible!
