The Garden City Telegram
Email this story | Add Your Comment
| Read (0) Comments
Miles of Smiles provides therapy on horseback
Published 10/24/2009 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Four children sat atop horses Tuesday night at the Miles of Smiles corral, bouncing as they rounded the cones, laughing at the possibility they could be tagged "out."
Click to Purchase Photo Reprints!
Laurie Sisk/Telegram J.R. Garcia, 5, grins Tuesday at Miles of Smiles, a therapeutic horseback riding center, as Elaine Lott helps hold him in place. Miles of Smiles is one of 21 organizations receiving funding through the United Way in 2010.
Each child batted a ball while riding a horse. The ball was set on a T-ball stand placed on a barrel. Volunteers helped lead some of the horses and made sure the children didn't bounce off during the game.
The children cheered each other on as each made it to home plate, most of them safe and scoring a run.
"They're on top of the world when they're up there," said Sara Brown, the director of programs at Miles of Smiles.
Miles of Smiles, 901 W. Maple St., provides horseback riding therapy for people ages 4 and older who have disabilities. The program is in its 12th year.
Miles of Smiles will receive $5,000 from United Way next year. Brown said the money will go toward friends and family enrichment programs and will enable the organization to reach out to the community. The money also will fund volunteers and will help add more classes about disabilities and hands-on education, Brown said.
For people with disabilities, Brown said, the benefits are numerous.
"It provides strength building, muscle development, enhances the ability to concentrate," Brown said. "It can be beneficial for social skills."
Brown talked about a young girl who read three or four grade levels below her own grade level. Brown said after therapeutic horseback riding, she eventually was able to read at her own level. The girl's mother said the only thing different in the girl's life was the horseback riding.
"It didn't feel like therapy to her. It felt like fun," Brown said.
For people with physical disabilities, Brown said, horseback riding can be beneficial because the movement of the horse allows the human pelvis to act like it would if the person were walking.
Kevin Mahoney, 7, has spina bifida, a condition of the spine.
He uses a wheelchair, but it doesn't keep him from activities such as playing on a T-ball team or horseback riding at Miles of Smiles.
Kevin's mother, Jennifer, said she heard about Miles of Smiles through Russell Child Development Center. He's been riding at Miles of Smiles since he was 3.
"It really helps out his muscles," Mahoney said. "He's made amazing progress. He's got a different saddle and does his own reins now."
Not only has he improved in riding skills, Mahoney said, but the program is good for Kevin overall.
"It's important he gets to do something on his own. It really shows his independence," Mahoney said.
Kevin said playing baseball was his favorite part of Miles of Smiles riding lessons.
For Cheyenne Ortiz, she said the social skills of her son, J.R. Garcia, have improved. J.R., 5, has cerebral palsy.
"Since he started, he's actually being crazy. He talks and waves to people he doesn't know," Ortiz said, laughing.
A benefit event for Miles of Smiles is scheduled for tonight at the Clarion Inn Ballroom, 1911 E. Kansas Ave. Hors d'oeurves and item viewing begin at 6:30 p.m., and the dance and auction start at 7:30 p.m. Born in a Barn will provide live music.
Tickets are $15 per person at the door, or are available at Out West, Crazy House, and Garden True Value. For more information, call Miles of Smiles at 260-9997.
Miles of Smiles is one of is one of 21 local agencies set to receive funding in 2010 from United Way, which is in the midst of its annual fundraising campaign. This year's goal is $550,000.
Other organizations receiving United Way funding are: United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney and Kearny Counties, Community Day Care, Emmaus House, Spirit of the Plains CASA, Russell Child Development Center, Garden City Area Chapter of the Red Cross, The Garden City Family YMCA, Salvation Army, Kansas Children's Service League Head Start, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, Catholic Social Service, Family Crisis Services Inc., Meals on Wheels, Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association, Smart Start, The Garden City Recreation Commission Playground Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Santa Fe Trail Council Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland.
Miles of Smiles
Address: 901 W. Maple St.
Contact: Sarah Brown, director of programs
Phone: 260-9997
Schedule: Miles of Smiles offers a six-week session in the spring, a five-week session in the summer, and another six-week session in the fall. Within each session, there are two riding classes each on Monday and Tuesday nights, and vaulting on Thursday nights. The summer session also adds a Wednesday morning riding class.
Found 0 comment(s)!
Twitter Updates
