Putting the Ability in Disability

Madison and Warrior after competing at the 2018 Color Breed Congress®.

Photo by Stanley Gaffrey

Texas teen defies disability to compete in horse shows

By Cassandra Robledo

Warrior, a brave or experienced soldier or fighter. For 16-yearold Madison Brown, warrior means more than just that and even comes as a coincidence.

At the age of 13, Brown suffered a seizure during a normal day at school. A moment that would turn her whole life upside down.

“When I was first diagnosed I really did not know what that meant for me.” Brown said. “I did not know what epilepsy was, all I knew was that I was going to have to change my lifestyle.”

The sudden seizures started out of the blue, Sherri Brown, Madison Brown’s mother said. Brown was a healthy teenager, involved in competitive gymnastics and horseback riding.

After several doctors visits, Brown was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes unpredictable seizures. Her diagnosis was so severe, she was no longer able to attend public school and became homeschooled, Sherri Brown said.

“My seizures are easily triggered with the flicker of a light,” Brown said. “I do not know when they are going to happen or how bad they will be.”

After her diagnosis, Brown found comfort in the presence of her horse SIOUX SMART WARRIOR also known as Warrior.

“He is such a goof,” Brown said. “He always does stuff to make me laugh, I love him.”

Brown’s love for horses began at the age of two. She won first in her lead line class at her first show although her showing career began just four years ago. Brown always runs the risk of having a seizure but said she

finds comfort in riding and preparing for upcoming shows. With showing being such a big part of her life, her struggle does not stop there.

“I have to be up around 5 a.m. to warm up for shows,” Brown said. “My horse could be awesome at 5 a.m. but then at 10 a.m he could have lost his momentum in what we are doing.”

This is where her trainer, Alyssa Osgood with AO Performance Horses comes in. During shows, she will warm Warrior up as it comes closer to show time while Brown goes over patterns with her mother. This is so Brown can stay away from flashing lights or any objects that could cause a seizure.

“It is really neat to see that she can jump on a horse and go do her job,” Osgood said. “It is a really cool feeling to watch her go out and do good.”

Two years ago Osgood took on the role of Brown’s trainer although there is a uniqueness in their relationship.

“The whole ordeal has made me more aware of things around me,” Osgood said. “We have a unique relationship and it is super rewarding to watch her do good.”

Each show is different so the routines depend on where they are competing at, Osgood said. When they first arrive Osgood will walk around the arena to ensure there are no flashing lights or anything that may trigger a seizure.

“Alyssa makes her work for it,” Sherri Brown said. “She does not cut Madison any slack but when she tells Madison she is proud of her it shows her that it has all paid off. Madison loves to win and make Alyssa proud,” she said.

In and out of the show ring, people are always looking out for Brown. Brown’s friends have remained supportive throughout her journey, Sherri Brown said. They will even call ahead to warn Brown of potential flashing lights or anything that may trigger a seizure.

“As a mom I try to protect her as much as I can,” Sherri Brown said. “It is a risk every single time she rides or goes anywhere, she can never be left alone.”

In 2016, the decision was made to get a service dog to allow Brown the possibility to live as normal as possible.

“Since I do not know when a seizure is going to happen my service dog Zeke, alerts me before they happen,” Brown said. “He has given me my independence back.”

Madison and her service dog Zeke.

Photo provided by Brown family.

Zeke, a two-year-old Labradoodle, became a member of the Brown family when he was just nine weeks old. Since then, Brown has dedicated time every week to make sure he is alert in his training. Zeke can sense if Brown is about to have a seizure or if her heart rate is out of the normal and even knows how to alert her Life Alert, Sherri Brown said.

“Zeke alerts her to seizures by pawing at her so she gets down as low as she can,” Sherri Brown said. “He will alert her for her heart rate by spinning and then getting underneath her. She may not listen to her parents but she will listen to Zeke,” she said. After getting Zeke, the plan was for Brown to return to public school. However, the same day of her return, a fire alarm prank resulted in the decision to continue homeschooling.

“It is hard but she has been the most positive person through all this,” Sherri Brown said. “This has changed not only her life but all of ours as well.”

While her diagnosis was not ideal, Brown takes each day on with a smile.

“I always say that God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers,” Brown said. “God would not have given me this battle if he did not think I could handle it. I look at things positively and just try my best to make people aware of my disability.”

During family outings, people will often question Brown on why she has a service dog. She has made it her mission to educate as many people as possible about not only her disability but other disabilities as well as how helpful service animals can be, Brown said.

“People always look at me like I am sick and sometimes they even ask me what is wrong,” Brown said. “Then when I tell them I have epilepsy they do not think Zeke can help with that.”

This has made Brown more open about her disability and often makes visits to local elementary schools to educate children about service dogs and epilepsy.

“She has come out of her shell with all of this,” Sherri Brown said. “She would rather people ask and is very open to answering any questions they may have.”

In November of 2017, Brown had a seizure during a show in San Antonio, Texas. Due to the fall, she received a concussion and had to remain in the hospital for a few days, Brown said.

“When she has a seizure it is not anything simple,” Sherri Brown said. “She can remain in the hospital for a few days up to weeks depending on how severe the seizure is.”

Recently, Brown competed in the 2018 Color Breed Congress®. Even though she gets nervous going to shows and especially bigger shows like the CBC, Brown never thought about quitting and only wants to get better.

“The first time I won after being diagnosed I felt like I beat epilepsy,” Brown said. “I won more than just a ribbon that day.” During the 2018 CBC, Brown was able to bring home another win in the Ranch Pleasure.

“After I competed I felt something special,” Brown said. “When they announced I won I started crying because this is such a big show, it meant a lot. I cannot describe the feeling of happiness I get, it means a lot just to be in the show pen,” she said.

Alyssa has taught her a lot and she has come so far already, Sherri Brown said. She used to be a timid rider and was scared to correct her horse but she is full of confidence now.

“As parents we are super proud of her,” Sherri Brown said. “She was dealt a different hand than most but she handles it like a champ and works hard for what she has.”

Brown hopes to continue her showing career while keeping her health stable. “I always tell people, you have to put the ability in disability,” Brown said. “A disability should not stop you from doing what you love because everyday is a blessing. I am thankful for everyday,” she said.

Brown competes with her horse Smooth Cold N' Frosty also known as Roany.

Photo by Brown Family.

The Brown family gathers to look over post run videos.

Photo by Cassandra Robledo