A TRUE CHA.i\1 PION, CONTINT..TED Matthew is an exemplary young man who despite extreme personal challenges is always supportive of his horse, his class, his volunteers and center staff. Often struggling with fatigue, nausea , and various other painful conditions, his excitement to ride here at High Hope s helps him get through the many emergency and doctor visits each week. At two , his mom, Jen Curley recognized that he was missing several of the important developmental milestones. This embarked them on the lengthy path of diagnosis
and treatment. Ten years later, his rare genetic Neuromuscular Disease still confounds medical personnel. By the time his symptoms become apparent, his mother was pregnant with his twin brothers who also share this mystifying and debilitating disease. High Hopes' staff has worked with Matthew for many years. This past year, Matthew was diagnosed with a brain tumor and as he undergoes treatment , his determination and passion fo r riding continue to shine
through in his t ime at High Hopes with his buddy, Latin o. Their experience with his patien t, kind and enthusiastic approach to riding ha s earned a great deal of respect from all. High Hopes looks forward to celebrating Matthew's achievement. For more info rm ati on, p lease co n ta ct Sa ra Qua, sq ua @hig h h o p e str.or g , (860) 434-1974 , ext . 122.
CAMP HARKNESSSUN, BEACH,HORSES! by Megan Ellis
Summer Begins and Summer Ends . .. but what makes our time so special are the memories that weave us togetherfrom week to week, month to month and year lo year. H ere at H igli Hopes, we have made new friends and found some old - forever connected by the ~pirit of a very special p lace here at H igh H opes and out at Camp Harkness!
Four amazing horses(Hummer, Whibley, Candy , and Major,) two instructors, and over a dozen dedicated volunteers from High Hopes served over 194 campers at Camp Harkness in Waterford Connecticut this summer. Most campers were adults with disabilities who came
from around the state to camp with one of three organizations, Oak Hill. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP,) and The ARC of New London . In addition to boating, games, and campfires, ca mpers had the opportunity to enjoy therapeuti c equestrian activities with High Hopes. Campers can ride, carriage drive , or connect with the horsethrough our Equine Learning Program. Most campers spend about 30 minutes with the horses during their scheduled lesson time , and many come back during "Open Barn Time" to visit with the horses and share their experience with new friends at camp.
One camper from UCP,Suzanne, came with very high tone and tight hips. After riding Hummer for 20 minutes, she was able to sit up straight in her wheelchair beca use of the flexibility she had gained from the movement of her horse. Another camper, Susan, from The ARC of New London, participated in all three activities and had tears in her eyes when it was time to go because she did wa nt to leave the horses. A counselor from Oak Hill camp noted tha t the first time she had seen camper, Mark, smile was when he was riding Whibley! One of the most common phrases heard at the equestrian center is "Can I go say 'hi' to Major?" Whether Whibley, Major, Candy or Hummer-it is a true partnership between High Hopes , our horses and Camp Harkness. For m o re inf o rmat ion , pl e a se con t ac t M e gan Ellis, m e llis@h igh hopes t r.o rg , (860) 434-1974 , ext. 133.
COMPASSION CARING FRIENDSHIP INSPIRING EMPOWERMENT
VOLUNTEER AT
HIGH HOPES Help change a life th rough equine assisted activi ties . ◄ < ◄ <<<C<<<<<<< ◄◄
For Voluntee r info rmat ion. p le a se co nta ct Ca itli n Nuhn, c nu h n@hi gh h opes t r.o rg, (860) 434-1974, ext. 116.
I ull '0 /1,
by Lauren Fitzgerald In today's fast-paced world, tak ing the time to slow things down , meaningfu lly connec t to other people and live in the moment is a luxu ry that many peop le cannot take advantage of. For many indiv iduals who ha ve served in our military, the ability to rema in relaxed in the present moment and make important connections w ith other people is more elusive than it is for the rest of the public . Often, this is a by-product of PTSD,or post traumatic stressdisorder. When serving in the military, there is a demand for all individuals to be acutely aware of their surroundi ngs at a ll times due to the perilous conditions they face every day. Unfortunately for many who have served , this hyper-vigilant state does not subside when they return to re- integrate into socie t y.
Making connections wi th civilians whose perception of safety and real life exper ience is so different from their own daily reality in the military is extremely cha llenging for veterans and often results in a sense of isolation even when they return home to their family and friends. The Equus Effect program at High Hopes is a program for veterans that add resses many of these issues.
The mind ful connect ions made with horses , who are instinctually hyper vigilant as prey animals, tends to remove the personal pressure for the vetera ns to be on constant guard. The horses absorb the veterans in t heir herd and wi ll mirror what the veterans are feeling. The ab ility for the ve te ran to gro und him/ herself in t he here and now and to actually connect to how they are feeling enables them to relate to t he horses. The trust th at is
The battle against invisible wounds of war like post-traumatic stressmust be fought on all fronts with a diverse array of therapies--including
the use of horses and counselors like
The Equus Effect Program provides to veterans In Old Lyme . These innovative treatments can help change and save lives. - Se nator Richard Blumenthal
estab lished t ranslates into the veteran 's personal lives. The relationships that vetera ns develop wi t h th e horses , vol u nteers and staff, helps t o make personal con nections and enab le the ve terans to begin to t rust civil ians. For more information , please contact Megan Ellis,mellis@highghopestr .org, (860) 434- 1974 ext.133.
HIGH HOPES ' MATTHEW SCOTELLAAWARDEDTHE 2016 YOUTH EQUESTRIAN OF THE YEAR! PATH International is honored t o recognize individuals that symbolize exceptional abi lity, optimism , diversity and a shared love of equines. High Hopes ' is thril led that long t e rm participant , Matthew Sco t ella, has
I,,!/ 'II /I,
PATIi INT'L
been awarded th e PATH 2016 Youth Equestrian of the Year, setti ng him apart as a true champion .
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NON-PROFITORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT# 119 DEEPRIVER, CT
HIGH HOPESTHERAPEUTIC RIDING, INC. 36 TO WN WOODS
ROAD • OLD LYM E, C T 06371
CALENDAR
2016 ►
of EVENTS ►
OCT 5111& NOV 9TU AT5:3op. m.
HIGHHOPES OPENBARN DAY& 42ND ANNUAL MEETING
GENERALVOLUNTEER ORIENTATI ONTRAINING CL.A SSES ►
OCTi3i'l' AT n a.n L.1 p.iu
OCT 2'n AT 5:30 p.m. GENERAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATI ON TRA INING CL.AS SES
FORFULLEVENTDETAILS , VISITHIGHHOPESTR .ORG
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