I have just finished listening to the author of "The Horse Boy" read the first two chapters of his book.The promotional CD was given to me at the recent Book Expo. Having cared for kids with special needs for fifty years as a pediatrician, I looked forward to hearing the CD. It is a remarkable story about parents who sought every possible treatment for their autistic son. As I listened to the father's wonderful British accent, I thought how special it would be if every parent with a disabled child could take the time and have the money and energy to do what these parents have done. I don't think parents have to go all the way to India to see important changes in their children, no matter what the disability. There are many resources available in the U.S. if considerable networking and research is done.
Horeseback riding has long been a routine prescritption for Duchenne muscular dystrophy boys in Denmark. Because the heel cords are the first tendon to develop contractures, horseback riding helps stretch these out. A wonderful sense of freedom, contact with a beautiful animal, and a feeling of increasing competance are additional benefits.
There are many horseback riding programs for children with special needs in the United States. The father of a Duchene dystrophy boy I cared for was the president of the local horseback riding organization for children with disabilities. I well remember the special time I had visiting the stable and seeing the kids ride. Children not only had muscle diseases, but also cerebral palsy, spina bifida, emotional problems, developmental delay, and mutiple handicaps. Later, I was invited to dinner with this outstanding family.
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