She spoke!

[LMS]

Yay, my little red head rider spoke to me loudly & clearly throughout the whole lesson yesterday! And I have witnesses to prove it! Well, the OT & special advisor will have to take my word for it though.;)

Started out the usual way, the minute I walked over to her to check her helmet & say hi to everyone in the corner, she shrugged & smiled coily (sp).

We went up the ramp & I asked (for the umpteenth time during the 2-3 yrs): so... which horse are you riding again? (which has been the same horse for all those yrs). She shrugged & chewed on a gorgeous fiery red lock. I then reminded her of the prize she was working so hard to attain (the other half of the strip of horsy stickers) & she whispered... "Sam".

:eek: is how I felt inside. Then after the other rider was mounted, we went outside for a photo shoot. I was taking the pics for a member to be published. Took longer than expected but... what can you do.

So back in the arena, I decided to just have fun with my kids. And what a hoot we had! We did everything I had planned but we laughed OMG! And as the lesson progressed, my little red head spoke louder & louder. She made eye contact when I spoke to her & she started to answer me back:eek: :D :D We were all taken aback! Hurray another milestone!

I know if my lesson had been audited, I would've probably been given a stern talking to for being unconventional.

I just thought I'd share with you guys.:D <= that was me last night!

[Mathew]

OY good job on the "Speach" lol soo u wer happy thas good :) soo how bout them piks? umm ok then byby from me and Tanner.


Tanner says HI,
Mat

[LMS]

Oh thrilled yes! We know that there's nothing wrong with her speach, because the only time that she clams up is when the lesson process begins.

Unfortunatly I can't post a picture of a client. Sorry.

[Rarah]

I thought you were referring to your horse :eek:

That's a very touching tale - do you teach special needs children LMS or is the little redhead just an especially shy child?

You sound so proud! :)

[8-legged-pony]

:D That must have been such an amazing achievement. I remember when one of my autistic riders eventually managed to start to use his reins to steer and I was just so happy for him!

And unconventional lessons are the best, I often just decide to have fun with my riders, sometimes if one of the riders can't make a lesson we get a parent or helper to wear a bridle and go and pretend to be a horse to make up numbers!

[LMS]

Rarah - Yes I teach the disabled. My client is a CP hemi & has a processing impairement. Her parents don't really understand why she's been so shy all these yrs during the lessons.

[alwaysfallingof]

Oh, fantastic:D :D .
Nothing compares to the buzz you get when you achieve a milestone like that.

I'll never forget the first time that I got one of my severely autistic riders to actually make eye contact with me, it was incredible. Or when a very tactile defensive rider spontaneously reached out, started stroking up and down her pony's mane with a HUGE smile, saying "she's so lovely". Was a real teary moment.

Well done for persevering - you should be proud:D

[hannah:)]

We were so pleased last week when one of the riders said 'walk on' at the right moment - normally this rider can't get the right words out at the right time so it was just great:D

Isn't it fab when that happens?:D

[KateWooten]

You're changing lives you know.

The day she hugs you, I'm going to be sobbing. Heck, I'm tearful over today's lovely lesson news. How good do you feel :)

[LMS]

Thanks guys! It is a wonderful feeling isn't it? Patience & perseverence & hopefully one day it pays off.

Next week I'm getting my classes audited again & I'll bet that she'll clam up because of the extra people watching. Doesn't matter, I can wait:)

alwaysfallingof & hannah:): that's so wonderful!

KateWooten: you'll be the first to know when I get my first hug from her ;) The other rider that's with her is such a chatter bug & holds my hand without me asking when going up the ramp. It's so sweet.

[Peanut]

Little things can mean so much. What a great story and huge achievement.