At age 3, Michael would stand on the fence and watch neighbor’s horses by the barn or in the meadow for an hour or so while his friends played nearby. This was quite remarkable for Michael since he had nonstop energy and
it was hard for him to be attentive to anything else for even 5 minutes. Maybe, while on that fence, he was hopeful of a time when he would be with the horses more or even ride.
Today, Michael Serocki is a tall strong 18 year old young man who often stands besides horses in great respect and love for his favorite animal. And it has been like that for as long as his mother can remember.
As things turned
out, the one therapeutic activity that fostered Michael’s best personal qualities was equestrian riding.
Thru Thorncroft Michael has been introduced to HRE, Special Olympics and the therapeutic riding programs
and competitions who have accepted Michael with all of his special needs and taught him to ride, show, and
compete. They have helped Michael meet his own challenges by giving him opportunities for accomplishment.
“My son’s own diverse experience and participation in the life long learning experiences that therapeutic
horseback riding offers have been positive in many ways. It has given him insight into his own body awareness,
increased his self esteem, self discipline, AND social skills, This work has deepened his endearing relationship with
teachers, staff and horses. When recently asked what vocational track he would like to pursue, Michael chose ‘I want
to learn to work and teach other riders at Thorncroft!’ The whole equestrian world has opened up for Michael - not
only the opportunity for therapy and enjoyment, but for future career planning.”
15 years after Michael first stood along the neighbors fence line his dreams became his reality. Michael has
climbed down off the fence and with his horse in hand has walked thru the now open gate.
-Beth Eagen, Michael’s mom
Our students come to us from all walks of life.... with and without
special needs, some can afford the therapy we offer, others are invited to
participate through our scholarship program. Each student brings their own
special gift to the Farm. Louisa shares her thoughts....
“When I ride I get this sense of togetherness, being one with
the horse. Riding, for me starts the moment I take the horse out of
the stall, to the time when I turn it outside for the night.When
walking and trotting I sometimes get bored, but I wouldn’t change
it for the world. When I canter, with the air rushing through my
hair, I experience the feeling that race car drivers must get. It is
freedom, you can let loose and feel on top of the world. Nothing
matters – schoolwork, friends, family, arguments, commitments.
You are living in the moment, free. Jumping is the sense that I
can’t compare to anything else in the world. It’s an adrenaline rush,
mixed in with freedom, speed, care-freeness, and accomplishment.
I never knew that a place could change my life, me in so many
different ways.”
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For many years the Scanlon family has been coming to Thorncroft, bringing their daughter Jessica to ride with Mr. D.
Jess now gets on her horse from the mounting block and rides across the arena with little help from Mr. D or our volunteers. Jess has autism - her sister Erica was “Miss New Jersey” and has since gone on to perform on stage in New York. Her passion however is to continue to educate people about Autism. The road for this familyhas been full of major hurdles - and miracles. Jim and Marilyn continue to support their girls and guide them to their current successes. One Saturday they shared with us the following piece - which we wish to pass on to you. As you read it... remember that within each of us we are gifted “a bell”. “Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will
notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him and that he will listen for her bell and slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.
Good friends and relatives are like this.
You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours. “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”.
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 This month‘s thought comes as a letter written by Tory Udvarhelyi. Tory is the daughter of our Victory Gallop Co-Chairs Steve and Carol. She and her sister Katie have been riding at Thorncroft for over 10 years. Tory wrote the letter for theVictory Gallop invitation but for those of you who may miss it, we’d like to share it with you here.
“Thorncroft will always have a very special place in my heart. It is more than simply a place to ride and appreciate horses. Thorncroft is family to me.The heart and soul of Thorncroft is its founder, Saunders Dixon. Growing up in the Quaker faith, Mr. Dixon developed enormous respect and love for all living things. For the past 35 years, he has been the source of hope, inspiration and determination to hundreds of able-bodied and disabled riders at Thorncroft and beyond. His dedication to heal and strengthen the human spirit through horseback riding has enriched the lives of many. Through his selflessness, compassion for others, and deep humility, he serves as a role model for the countless people whose lives he has forever changed. Thank you, Mr. Dixon, for your leadership, and encouraging all of us to come “Along for the Ride”.
It is my privilege to know you and I am proud to be a part of your Thorncroft family.”
by Emily Perl Kingsley
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| Maire Guggenheim and Mr. D share a special moment with Ethan Dahm |
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a
child with a disability - to try to help people who have not
shared that unique experience to understand, to imagine how
it would feel. It’s like this...
When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a
fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide
books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, The
Michelangelo, David, The gondolas of Venice, you may learn
some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.
You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later the
plane lands and the stewardess comes in to say, “Welcome to
Holland.”
“Holland?!” you say. “What do you mean Holland? I
signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy! All my life
I’ve dreamed of going to Italy!”
But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland, and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s
just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new
group of people you would never have met.
It’s not Italy. It’s just a different place. After you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you can look around and
begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips/ Holland even has Rembrandts.
Everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they’re bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And
for the rest of your life you will say, “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.”
The pain of that will never go away because the loss of the dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend you life mourning
the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about HOLLAND.
Desiderata
Last Fall we shared a beautiful piece... “The Desiderata”. The focus of the piece is on a peaceful and thoughtful way of living.
This
month we wish to share a story of new beginnings from Phyllis and Vic DiFelice.
 “Our son, Paul, has been riding weekly at Thorncroft for over 20 years, since he was four. He was born with cerebral palsy and normally gets around in a wheelchair. But for thirty minutes each week he gets to ride around on a big, gentle horse. Usually it’s Sadie, but over the years it’s also been Liebling, Dillon, Joker, Daffodil, Arthur, Hank, Angel, Penny, Milkshake, Osage, Neal, Farnley, Buffalo Bill, and Nugget, to name just a few. When Paul first started to ride, he was tense and tight and scared. He needed to have an adult sit on the horse with him. Just getting him to stay on for a while was a big deal. But over time he has come to love to ride. For years it has been one of his favorite things to do each week.
As Paul has grown in age, he has also grown in ability. He has progressed from just staying on, to riding alone and reaching, balancing and stretching. Now he’s even directing the horse on his own. He and Mr. Dixon and the others who work with him talk together about what he’s ready to try next. There’s always some new challenge. Some weeks Paul is stiffer, some weeks he’s more relaxed. Some weeks he’s kind of tired, some weeks he’s happy and excited. But Paul comes each week. And each week someone is there to work with him, and a horse is ready for him to ride.
Each week is a new beginning, a new chance to see what he can do out of that wheelchair and on that horse…”
Phyllis and Vic DiFelice
The Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. |
