Therapy for those who are disabled

Audrey’s Riding School, in partnership with Mokopane Regional Hospital, hosted an Open Day on 11 September at Audrey’s Riding School, Plot 38, Uitloop, Percy Fyfe.

They say the Open Day was inspired by the International commemoration day for Cerebral Palsy sufferers across the world every year in September. The theme for this year (World CP Day) is “Change my world in 1 minute).

They want to acknowledge and bring to the attention of the greater community of Mokopane the needs of the disabled and disadvantaged children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. With this Open Day they also launched an Outreach Program for helping these children, through horse interactions and horse riding.

Mrs. Audrey Marais of the riding school said at the Open Day through horse riding and movement education program, they are teaching the children balance, hand-eye co-ordination, fine motor skills, the usage of small muscles, and their tactile experience, by feeling and touching the mane and tail. They need sponsors to get involved and help them make a big success for Mokopane’s disabled and disadvantaged children.

She said children need to join for a minimum of six months. Disabled children need special transport, specialised care to help them ride and stay in position on a horse.

Marais said disadvantaged children needs to be kept busy doing horse riding. They want all kids away from the streets and bad influences. In order for the program to work the kids need to have a minimum lesson of once a week for an hour.

“We would like to spend time with them, so they can not only learn but have fun to, in a safe and friendly environment. Transport will also be needed,” she said.

Marais concluded by saying it is only the beginning. They would like to host an Open Day annually and in that way keep getting new children involved in the program and help the children they started the program with. They can always help and assist the children in need, and it must never be forget that children are the future.

The organisers also thanked the following sponsors:

Major Drilling, PowerBake, Fruit & Veg City Mokopane, NTK, Moorddrift Melkery, Pick ‘n Pay Mokopane, Spar Mokopane, BB Auto/Nissan Mokopane, Standard Bank, Bosvelder, the hospital staff of Mokopane Hospital, the hospital staff of Voortrekker Hospital, Laerskool Krugerpark, Meat City, Lloyd Mathole and the plumingteam, Mr and Mrs Jones, all Marais’ friends and riders.

• Photos hereby were taken at the Open Day.