20061127 Be the best you can be.

Be the best you can be.

Overcoming obstacles

Pictured above: George Dennehy, right, plays first-chair cello at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover County, Va.. George, born with bilateral upper-limb deficiency, has no limbs beyond his shoulder blades and has learned to do almost everything with his feet. (Lindy Keast Rodman, Associated Press)

Although I have a reputation for reading (too) many newspapers, I’ll tell ya a secret – I really scan the articles and just look at the pictures. Often the articles have too many big words for me.

In all seriousness, I am a newspaper photograph junkie and I had noticed Lindy Keast Rodman’s work in the Richmond Times-Dispatch some time ago.

I found this picture in “The Day in Pictures” section of the Baltimore Sun web site. I recognized the name of the photographer and went to the Richmond Times-Dispatch web site to try and find the picture on the web site…

I did not find the picture, but I found the article for which the picture may very well have accompanied. The article, “With feet and toes, young cellist makes beautiful music,” By HOLLY PRESTIDGE, Richmond Times-Dispatch; is worth a quick read. You can find it here.

It begins:

HANOVER, Va. - George Dennehy sits first chair in the cello section of the string orchestra at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover County.

As he leans back slightly on a stool, the toes on George's right foot move over the cello's strings as the toes on his left foot control the bow.

George's feet are his hands; his toes are his fingers. He was born with bilateral upper-limb deficiency, so he has no limbs beyond his shoulder blades.

He has learned to do almost everything with his feet _ typing on the computer, eating, setting the table, opening doors, playing the cello.

Read the rest here. (I do not know if the Richmond Times-Dispatch uses permalinks – so if you are accessing this post and the link is dead, e-mail me at kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com and I’ll load the rest of the article…)

Thank you Richmond Times-Dispatch, Holly Prestidge and Lindy Keast Rodman, for a great and uplifting story.

This great picture of Mr. Dennehy provides a bit of a springboard to mention the importance of Special Education programs in our school systems and the subject of mainstreaming.

When at all possible, I believe passionately about mainstreaming, i.e., integrating children with disabilities or special needs into the classrooms as much as possible. The rewards for all the children and society in general far outweigh the expense.

Give a child a chance and they will engage, adapt and overcome every time; provided they are given the proper opportunity to excel; given proper support and allowed to develop compensatory approaches to many of the day-to-day activities we tend to accept as routine.

And this is win-win for everyone.

Kevin

20061127 An incredible story about an amazing swimmer

An incredible story about an amazing swimmer

November 27th, 2006

For more on this story, please see Crablaw’s post.

For a related post, please see, "2oo61127 Be the best you can be,"

or posts on Carroll County 4-H Therapeutic Riding.

Top photo: Paralympian Jessica Long holds multiple swimming world records. "I like being chased," she says. (Sun photo by Doug Kapustin) Nov 17, 2006 For the Related story, please see: Catch me if you can in the Baltimore Sun.

Bottom photo: Paralympian Jessica Long, 14, of Middle River, holds multiple swimming world records. "I like being chased," she says. (Sun photo by Doug Kapustin) Nov 27, 2006

“Catch me if you can,” From the Baltimore Sun By Paul McMullen, Sun reporter, November 27, 2006

At 14, Jessica Long of Middle River is winning gold and setting records with the U.S. Paralympic swim team

Jessica Long's proficiency in the pool is apparent after a few strokes. Bobbing up and down on the breaststroke, she's indistinguishable from the practice partners in her lane, but something seems missing from her otherwise impeccable freestyle form.

The less splash swimmers make with their hands, the faster they go, but Long's kick leaves a curiously scant trail.

The 14-year-old from Middle River has mastered the pull and push of water well enough to set multiple world records, but her athleticism is fully comprehended only on the pool deck. A double amputee below the knees, Long walks on prosthetic legs.

On Thursday morning, Long left her parents and siblings for Thanksgiving in Chicago, joining the other members of the U.S. Paralympic swim team.

Read the rest of the story here.

####

20061120 Patches the coolest horse ever

Patches the coolest horse ever



November 20th, 2006

For all the folks involved with the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County…

Quite sometime ago I got e-mailed this video and I loved it. Just as I was about to load it in my YouTube account so I could put it on the blog, I found that many other folks have also loaded it. Undeterred, I uploaded it anyway… I wonder who originally put this together? I checked it out on Snopes.com and found no entry for it…

Please enjoy the video, it is too much fun.

Life is serious. Sometimes ya just gotta smile.

Kevin

Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMuB0g4CGKk

20061120 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program article on McDaniel College web site

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program article on McDaniel College web site

November 20th, 2006

Nice piece on the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County on the McDaniel College web site

What the article does not mention is how this is just another good example of all the positives that come out of partnering with McDaniel College. The school is a huge asset for Carroll County and Westminster. Up on “The Hill,” there are many great future leaders available who would love to pitch –in and help in the community – all ya have to do is ask.

The McDaniel college students who have helped with the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program have been a big help for a great program that helps many folks…

It is nice to see them get some recognition…

Job connects students with horses volunteering

Erin Wilson ’07 and Amanda Eubank ’08 wake up at the crack of dawn to feed horses in the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program at the Carroll County Agricultural Center. In addition to twice-daily feedings, they check the horses for any changes in behavior, cuts, or scratches.

[…]

More than 2,000 riders have benefited over the program’s 28 years. McDaniel alumni who help run the program include Caroline Babylon ’76 B.A., ’96 M.L.A., Brian Lockard ’69 M.Ed, and Karen Scott ’80 M.Ed.

[…]

For more information about the 4-H Therapeutic riding program, click here. http://www.trp4h.org/index.html

Read the rest of the article here.

####

20061102 A Very Halloween Therapeutic Riding Program evening

A Very Halloween Therapeutic Riding Program evening

November 2^nd, 2006

Re: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0GxrrDjI4U

Thursday, November 2nd, 2006, the horses, volunteers and staff of the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County all dressed up for Halloween. For more information about the 4-H TRP of CC, go to: http://www.trp4h.org/index.html or 20010100 About the 4H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

20060603 KDDC Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics

Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics
June 3, 2006

Caroline and spent the day at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland volunteering with the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County at the Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics.

Unfortunately, I did not take my camera, so I drew a few pictures of the event. Please enjoy them above.

According to the Special Olympics Maryland Web-site:

"Equestrian sports events have been a part of Special Olympics since 1983, when the first competition was held in Louisiana, USA. At the 1987 World Games, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian competition, and one year later the sport was added to the official program of Special Olympics Sports . At the 1991 World Games, 140 athletes competed in this event, and in 1995 the number of athletes rose to over 200, representing 33 countries. Events Special Olympics athletes who compete in the equestrian events learn to ride, develop sports skills and gain the self confidence to direct and control a horse. Athletes are able to compete in a variety of English and Western style events, including relays, drill teams and prix caprilli (jumping events). "

If you are asking, "What is Special Olympics?"; according to the Special Olympics Web-site:

"Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 2.25 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics."

To make a donation to the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County, please contact:

Program Coordinator: Karen Scott: trp4h AT adelphia.net

Information/ Registration: Peggie Roland: peggier AT att.net

####

Tall in the Saddle By Katie V. Jones: 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

Tall in the Saddle By Katie V. Jones

Westminster Eagle 01/03/2006 By Katie V. Jones

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=978&NewsID=687216&CategoryID=17320&on=1

Horses can be intimidating.

Ranging in all different sizes and colors, a horse - with its four legs, swinging head and flaring nostrils - might not be the choice animal for many to approach easily.

But at the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County it is the horses, combined with the work of volunteers, that reach out to children and adults who face challenges every day - whether physically or mentally.

The program gives lessons and riding opportunities for people with varied disabilities, from developmental restrictions to physical conditions such as cerebral palsy.

For those with such limitations, the program offers a chance for mobility and a sense of freedom they can otherwise not achieve, and studies indicate that therapeutic riding can help people with disabilities improve muscle usage and flexibility, and can also benefit social and communications skills.

Therapeutic riding generally began as a therapy for disabled persons in the 1950s, after Lis Hartel of Denmark won a silver medal in the 1952 Olympics despite severe polio. She had to be helped on and off her horse at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland.

Today, many riders in the Carroll County program participate in horse shows and train for the Special Olympics.

"It is a great thing," says Chris Bradford, a volunteer for the riding club. "Even if you had a rough night and didn't get much response, you still feel it was worth it."

While the club rides under the 4-H flag, it provides riding lessons to anyone between the ages of 3 and up with a therapeutic disability, according to Peggy Roland, a volunteer and secretary of the program's Board of Directors.

"We seated 51 riders this past session," Roland, 57, says, noting that members come from all across the county, and even beyond.

The club has been in existence since 1978. It first began meeting outdoors at private farms, but eventually relocated to the Carroll County Agricultural Center.

In 1997, the club purchased a building in town and actually had it moved to its current location near the Ag Center and Carroll County Farm Museum.

"We can ride in the rain, (whereas) we couldn't before," Roland says, standing in the center of the large show ring.

"We can ride after dark ... though it is very yellow in here," she says, laughing at the lights.

With its high tin ceiling, the barn can also get very loud during heavy rain or wind.

For that reason, and others, it is always essential for volunteers to be present with the therapeutic riders. While some may need only a little assistance, others may need up to three volunteers.

Most classes at the center have between four or six riders. Add the volunteers and instructor, and the ring can be quite crowded - and loud.

"Volunteers are absolutely wonderful," Roland says. "We don't hold classes without them. They are here for the safety of the riders."
Volunteers are constantly being trained.

"I know a lot more now than I did," notes Bradford, who had only a little experience with horses before becoming a volunteer two years ago.
"I go early to play with the horses more, and do grooming," Bradford says. "I learn a lot, too. I'm still a rookie."

The four-legged volunteers, aka the horses, obviously are also a critical piece of the program. Many of the riders form a strong bond with their horse, and that connection can lead to both physical and emotional progress.

The horses in the 4-H program are evaluated throughout the year to make sure they can stand up to the rigors of the program - and that have the temperament needed.

Not all horses are accepted to become part of the therapeutic riding program.
"The horses have to be suitable for our riders," Roland explains. "Occasionally, horses won't catch on to it. There are different sounds. They have to walk to a block and be mounted.

"It is very, very different," she says. "If they can't adapt to that environment, we find a different home for them."

And some, she notes, simply get too old to remain in the program.

"Two times a season," she says, "we look critically at our herd."

These days, seven horses make up the club's mounts. Some are donated; others are on permanent loan or have a lease agreement.

This past year, the club had an agreement with the River Valley Ranch, in Millers, that allowed them to house their horses for nine months.

"It was a lot of fun to have their horses up. They were younger," Roland said. "We were really pleased how it worked out."

Riders in the 4-H program pay a minimum fee for either a five- or 10-week session of one-hour classes.

The club currently has a waiting list of potential riders.

"They do such a good job," Bradford said. "I recommend it to other people I know to volunteer. It is such a great thing."

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County is always looking for new volunteers, and hosts periodic training sessions. To volunteer or register for training classes, call Peggy Roland at 410-876-1760.

*****

Labels: 4H, 4H Therapeutic Riding Prog, Babylon Mrs Owl, Ag, Ag Carroll Co MD Ag Center, Animals horses, 4H Carroll Co 4H FFA Fair,

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

January 21st, 2001 - 20031008 KED Mucking Out Stalls.JPG

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program is always seeking volunteers, ages 14 and up, to help with lessons at the 4-H arena at the Agriculture Center in Westminster. Horse experience is a plus, but is not required. for more information go here http://www.trp4h.org/index.html or call 410-876-1760.

4-H Therapeutic Riding provides a program of therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities.

For over 20 years, this all-volunteer organization has served more than 1,500 individuals with a wide range of disabilities.

Therapeutic riding uses horses to make positive contributions to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well being of individuals with disabilities.

The program serves as a training center for Special Olympic athletes competing locally and at the Special Olympic World Games.

Following standards of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, adaptations are made to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in various riding activities.

The program emphasizes cognitive, behavioral, psychological and physical goals for each participant.

My wife, Caroline, serves as a volunteer NARHA certified instructor, Board member and Treasurer. She also serves on the Carroll County Agriculture Center Board representing 4-H Therapeutic Riding and as the Ag Center Treasurer.

I volunteer also – mostly in a grounds maintenance – property management capacity, but I been known to do whatever I’m asked.

I designed the original landscape design for the property and, along with Caroline and many other volunteers, helped install the plants and build run-in sheds.

I grew up participating in 4-H.

In the past, I have taught many classes for the Cooperative Extension Service, served on numerous committees including: the Carroll Co. Agriculture Program Advisory Committee of the University of MD Cooperative Extension Service; the Cooperative Extension Service Maintenance Conference Planning Committee. I also served on a special Carroll & Frederick County agricultural community advisory taskforce for Dr. Raymond J. Miller, University of Maryland Vice Chancellor for Agricultural Affairs in the 1980s.

January 21st, 2001

For more posts on the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County on “Soundtrack”go here: http://tinyurl.com/qltzfn The web site may be found here: http://www.trp4h.org/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/4H%20Therapeutic%20Riding%20Prog

SDOSM 20010121

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/05/4-h-therapeutic-riding-program-of.html

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

January 21st, 2001

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program is always seeking volunteers, ages 14 and up, to help with lessons at the 4-H arena at the Agriculture Center in Westminster. Horse experience is a plus, but is not required. for more information og here http://www.trp4h.org/index.html or call 410-876-1760.

4-H Therapeutic Riding provides a program of therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities.

For over 20 years, this all-volunteer organization has served more than 1,500 individuals with a wide range of disabilities.

Therapeutic riding uses horses to make positive contributions to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well being of individuals with disabilities.

The program serves as a training center for Special Olympic athletes competing locally and at the Special Olympic World Games.

Following standards of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, adaptations are made to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in various riding activities.

The program emphasizes cognitive, behavioral, psychological and physical goals for each participant.

My wife, Caroline, serves as a volunteer NARHA certified instructor, Board member and Treasurer. She also serves on the Carroll County Agriculture Center Board representing 4-H Therapeutic Riding and as the Ag Center Treasurer.

I volunteer also – mostly in a grounds maintenance – property management capacity, but I been known to do whatever I’m asked.

I designed the original landscape design for the property and, along with Caroline and many other volunteers, helped install the plants and build run-in sheds.

I grew up participating in 4-H.

In the past, I have taught many classes for the Cooperative Extension Service, served on numerous committees including: the Carroll Co. Agriculture Program Advisory Committee of the University of MD Cooperative Extension Service; the Cooperative Extension Service Maintenance Conference Planning Committee. I also served on a special Carroll & Frederick County agricultural community advisory taskforce for Dr. Raymond J. Miller, University of Maryland Vice Chancellor for Agricultural Affairs in the 1980s.

January 21st, 2001

For more posts on the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County on “Soundtrack”go here: http://tinyurl.com/qltzfn The web site may be found here: http://www.trp4h.org/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/4H%20Therapeutic%20Riding%20Prog

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/

SDOSM 20010121

20010100 About the 4H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County

UPDATED: November 2nd, 2006

ALL the information below – AND MORE - is found on the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County web site at: http://www.trp4h.org/index.html

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding is an individualized program of learning to ride a horse which takes into account a person's physical, mental, and emotional strengths and limitations. The horses, staff, and volunteers involved in therapeutic riding have all been carefully selected and trained to accommodate the physical, mental, or social disabilities of the rider.

Improved physical strength, balance, mobility and coordination are accomplished through the physical act of riding a horse. Increased attention, concentration, learning, and verbal skills are inherent in learning the skills necessary to ride successfully. Bonding with the horse, making new friends, and respecting authority are some of the social improvements we see. Improvements in self esteem, self control, and confidence also arise from the experience of success in learning to ride. Therapeutic riding is fun and effective!

Mission Statement

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County will provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to benefit from a continuous program of therapeutic horseback riding, in a safe environment, under the instruction of professionally trained staff, at a locally available facility.

It is the policy of the MD Cooperative Extension that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.

Who We Are

Our History

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County was established in 1978 to provide an opportunity for children and adults with disabilities to benefit from riding horses. Beginning with lessons at a local farm, the program moved to the Ag Center outdoor ring and then to the indoor arena in 1997. Everyone associated with the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program is a volunteer, including riding instructors, therapists, horse handlers, and side-walkers.

Our horses were originally borrowed and brought to lessons weekly. Now all are donated, loaned or leased to the program. During each session they are stabled and cared for on land loaned by the Farm Museum and then sent to vacation homes. Many are retired from successful careers in the show ring, hunt field, dressage arena, or as schooling horses or backyard ponies. All are trained specifically to work in our therapeutic riding program and handle unusual sights, sounds, and sensations, such as wheelchairs, canes, bouncing balls, unbalanced riders, side-walkers crowding close.

In its 28 years of operation, more than 100 horses and 4000 volunteers have worked together to provide therapeutic riding classes to more than 2000 riders.

What We Do

TRP Today

4-H TRP of Carroll County offers a one-hour lesson of 4 to 6 riders, similar in age or ability, that focuses on individual riding skills while gaining a therapeutic benefit. These benefits include improving muscle tone and strength, improving hand/eye coordination and balance, improving peer interaction and communication, increasing self-esteem, and developing a sense of control. Ten-week sessions are held each fall and spring. Each session seats 45-50 riders using 7 horses, assisted by 50 volunteers. Volunteers accrue more than 1300 hours of service during each session.

At the beginning of each session Instructors establish goals for each rider, working with the rider, parents or guardian. They create a wide variety of activities and exercises designed to increase the student's ability to listen, learn, and communicate.

Riders work on their horsemanship skills and willingness to try new things. Students may be taught how to help groom and tack their horses. Classes include arena riding, trail rides, and group activities.

For some riders this is their competitive sport of choice. They strive to compete at the local, national, and international levels in equestrian sports. 4-H TRP riders regularly compete in horse shows at Freedom Hills, Thorncroft, Devon, Special Olympics, and Maryland Challenged Equestrian Trials.

####