lostdaughter

I have been on the health boards page for a different reason, but found the autism thread. I have been reading so many posts and stories. It made me sick to read about rude, insensitive people that you have come across.
I wanted to share my story about my experiences with autism. For the last 8 yrs I have volunteered with a group that provides theraputic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities. I work with young children, all with different forms of autism. I look forward to those nights , every week. I cannot wait to get there. Each rider has a leader(person in charge of the horse) and 2 sidewalkers. We try to put the same team together each week.I cannot tell you the excitement our "teams" feel when a small step is taken...a smile, eye contact, a high five, words repeated back to us.. We have some riders year after year..we have watched kids who are so afraid to sit on the horse, become independent riders.. We have had wonderful nights and really tough nights where if something could go wrong it did. The night a tornado came and we all had to take cover in a dark, damp basement with one flashlight!.I am so proud of all of the kids I have met. I truly didn't comprehend the daily struggles that all of you parents go thru until I read this site. I respect and admire all of you for your strength.
I just wanted to say that I am a better person for having worked with these wonderful children. I treasure each and every one of them and will always carry them in my heart. Thank you for listening.