As part of our research programme at iDID, we are challenging ourselves by trying out a wide range of adventure sports to get a practical experience of the barriers involved. Each of the team have difficulties in different areas as a result of their disabilities, we have delegated each sport to the person who will find it most challenging to ensure we get the most out of the process. For example, I have difficulty with activities that require any form of balance and therefore I was chosen for the task of Horse-Riding with Reading University's Horse Riding Society.
I had psyched myself up for days about Horse Riding; the only previous experience I had was in Wales, where I fell flat in the mud trying to get off the horse after a short horse trekking session. As you can imagine, I wasn't excited at the prospect of re-living that humiliation but it was years ago, surely that wouldn't happen again… right?!
Well, the day started off well for someone completely nervous about looking silly - I turned up at the wrong car park! I strolled around like a madwoman in leggings and a fleece, asking any person unfortunate enough to be around me, if they were part of the horse riding team and explaining my predicament. What was worse is that I'd written down the President's phone number wrong and was frantically texting complete strangers… cringe. After half an hour, I admitted defeat and went home to email the President with huge apologies and thought that was that.
To my surprise, I got an email back saying that they would do everything they could to get my lesson brought back and even offered to come and pick me up. If anything, that has to get an award for amazing support and customer service! Luckily, I had my car and got straight in to navigate the journey to the Riding Centre. I was met with a beaming smile and absolutely no frustration at the fact I had completely messed up, which made me feel instantly comfortable. I managed to get all my gear together with no accidents and made my way over to meet my instructor and horse. Although it was probably the smallest horse there, it seemed really intimidating but the instructor put me right at ease and explained that Tom (the horse) worked with many people with disabilities as they were an RDA approved centre... bonus.
I walked up the little steps provided to meet my first hurdle, getting on. With nothing to really hold on to, navigating your leg over a horse is actually really difficult. The instructor stood at the opposite side to give me something to hold on to as I gripped hold of Tom's saddle, for dear life, with the other hand and with a few 'ooh', 'eee',' aah's… I was on! The one thing I wasn't prepared for was the level of balance you actually need for riding. As you get used to it, it gets easier but thank god for the blanket underneath the saddle - I genuinely think this saved any injury. As me and Tom got going, the instructor soon started to tell me about trotting. I don't really know what I was expecting to be honest but I never thought I'd be trotting.
I had to get used to standing up and sitting down in a walk before progressing to a trot, which again, was really hard as I felt like I was swaying to the sides and I kept confusing poor Tom by pulling the reigns either side to support myself, but of course in horse speak it translates to 'please turn to your left/right'. I started to get the hang of it and we soon got into a little run. Now, in trotting, timing is essential - you must make sure that your standing and sitting falls in time with the horse else it can be a tad painful in the wrong areas (all you horse riders out there will know remember this well), so you are slightly forced to get it right… quickly. I was so thrilled, I had achieved something I never thought I would manage without falling off and was on an instant high. The lesson came to an end and the dreaded 'getting off' process was upon me. I had a surprising moment as the instructor held his hand out, I was too scared to get off! I can't help but laugh at myself but in all seriousness, I had to have a 5 minute pep talk of the different ways I could get off. After considering all my options, I went for the safest option I could think of and held on to Tom like there was no tomorrow as I kind of slid off and fell into the waiting arms of the instructor (it sounds way more romantic than it looked).
I can't thank the University's society enough for all the support they have shown in aid of our research work and highly recommend horse riding to anyone. For more information about the centre or the society visit: http://www.rusu.co.uk/sports/6363/
Susanne is 26 and lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 2. This genetic condition causes tumours to grow throughout her central nervous system. She has had major surgery to her brain and spinal cord which has resulted in considerable balance problems and has left her completely deaf.
iDID 2012 - Year of No Fear.
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