Inspiration

There is no way I could do this stuff without the inspiration of other people. Without the internet, on days when things seem very bleak, I would have very little in the way of resources to bolster my spirits. I do not know any other disabled people in 'real' life, but many online. Their stories and words of encouragement keep me going when sometimes I'd rather just give up, become a couch potato, and just let life happen to me. I have wonderful people in my life, don't get me wrong, but there are times when I really really need to see that there are others out there 'like me' who are disabled and have found a way to lead a fulfilling life. If there ever was a time to be disabled, it is now, with the internet and a way to find others and give and receive support and ideas.

There are SO many amazing disabled people who blow my mind! For horseback riding, just Google "paralympic equestrians" and you will find numerous riders with all sorts of disabilities competing at the upper levels of equestrian disciplines. Seriously, how does this woman do this? She is amazing:



Another horse person that inspires me is Michael Richardson. He is a horse trainer and motivational speaker who is a paraplegic. This video keeps me going when I feel like there is nothing more I can do with my riding:



Here is another horseman, Nick Smith, who is a quadriplegic and rides, explaining his adapted saddle:



Nick has a ton of videos on YouTube, including one of him helping another young quadriplegic to ride again.


Of course, not all of life has to do with horses, even for those of us who own, train, and ride horses. I don't always have a positive attitude, life can be a real drag at times, and I need to get a kick in the butt to get going again. This video is one hell of a kick in the butt (sorry I can't embed it):

Jon Morrow


The interviewer, Johnny Truant, also has a blog where he wrote this on how everyone is disabled. Definitely worth the read to get some perspective, and yes, another kick in the butt.


I only recently began reading reading books about disabled people. The first one I picked up, probably the most wonderful, inspiring, and thought provoking book I have ever read, is John Hockenberry's "Moving Violations". You can get a used copy for like $4.00. The best $4.00 you will ever spend. I am sure I will be re-reading my copy in the future, the next time with a highlighter! This book should be mandatory reading for anyone with a disability. The scope of this book is huge, and oddly enough, it begins and ends with a horseback ride. Well, a donkeyback ride, but riding nonetheless!

and so it begins....

Let's start off by saying that disability isn't for wimps. Neither is this blog. The "C" word will be used on occasion......."cripple". That word makes some feel uncomfortable, I understand that, but for me it is just another word that describes my condition. I don't want to get caught up in words, or in being "sensitive" and "politically correct". I was raised in a family that did not talk about my disability, and I've gone through most of my adulthood believing that the best thing I could do for others was to 'not talk about it'. I'm 44 years old, and I am sick of not talking about 'it'. I am crippled, disabled, gimpy, limpy, handicapped, physically challenged, whatever. Being easily offended is not part of my character.

The idea for this blog has been on my mind for several years. I tried to come up with a less offensive title, really I did, but it has a certain 'catchiness' to it, don't you agree? It also goes well with my weariness of being all 'nicey-nice' about being disabled and the attempts by society, and sometimes myself, to 'soften' medical and disability issues to make them more palatable.

I have a neurological disorder that slows and eventually stops nerve conduction to my muscles, resulting in muscle atrophy and paralysis. It started with my lower legs when I was 14, and after being dragged around the country to various experts I was given the diagnosis of Charcot Marie Tooth disorder. It has nothing to do with my teeth. It is degenerative, meaning it gets worse over time. I have gone from using a crutch, to two crutches, and now to a scooter and sometimes a wheelchair, or an ATV, horse, whatever happens to be nearby :)

This is where the 'backcountry' part comes in. I ride about 400-500 miles a year horseback, on trails, often in designated wilderness and roadless areas. My husband accompanies me, and together we enjoy places most disabled people never go to, or even think they possibly could go to. The secret to the whole thing is the horse. Once I am on the horse I am almost the same as any other able-bodied rider. I can go as fast (well, almost as fast), as far (sometimes even farther), and on the same terrain (most certainly!) as everyone else. There is virtually no difference between me and everyone else, until I get off my horse and am once again disabled.

Here is the story of my horse Jypsi and I:





to be continued.....