The doctors told me I'd never be able to ride horses again. I had three abdominal surgeries within five months in 2005, leaving me with permanent abdominal nerve damage and chronic pain. It seemed like the end of my sanity and life as I knew it, as I was very active in trail rides and general horse-play. I've been around horses all my life and have owned them for over 30 years. Throughout my post-surgery days I could at least go outside to feed, brush, and get "warm fuzzies" from my horse Belle. She had been diagnosed with severe Cushings Disease the year before my illness and after several months of medication and activity modification, she was ready to ride. I only got to ride her maybe 10 times before my first surgery. But I tried to stay positive: She was in recovery and I was too. The only reason I had to get out of bed every morning was to feed Belle and take care of the dogs; otherwise, I think I would have curled up in a ball and died. The animals are my physical (and mental) therapy. My sweet Belle passed away in April of 2011, on Good Friday before Easter. Within a week I decided to try Equine Therapy and my friend told me about Fly Without Wings. I called them and arranged to meet two days later, so founder Jim Johson could evaluate my riding skills and basically to see how many cobwebs needed to be removed. His wife Betty showed me around the barn, introduced me to the horses, and other folks there. He saddled Cassie for me - a horse that needed an experienced rider since I told him of my history. After a while in the Therapy Arena he asked if I wanted to go ride the trail. I asked if he thought I was experienced enough, and he said he knew within minutes I could ride. I was afraid the pain would be so bad I couldn't do it. But I relaxed and took many deep breaths. After a one hour trail-ride I reached for a pain pill, but realized I didn't need it! The doctors were wrong!! I can ride again after seven years of yearning to be on the back of a horse. There's something about a horse that's magical; they ground you to the center of the earth's magnetic core. I went back a second time the next week and rode Cassie again, and even went bareback for a little while. Now I can't stay away - I wish I could go everyday. With the help of Jim's expertise he teaches me so many ways to adapt my riding skills to my disability. I have witnessed this same scenario with others I have met at FWW. Now I am obsessed with spreading the word about this facility, sending them money when I can, and soliciting donations for them. Jim and Betty Johnson are truly angels on earth, and miracles happen everyday at Fly Without Wings.
I was a child of the 70's and involved in most all of what that implies. Living in a large city on the East Coast, there was never a lack of something to do. Unfortunately, I didn't always make the wisest choices. I found myself headed down a dangerous path. Upon my father's retirement, we moved to a small town in Texas, back to his family farm. I was bribed west with the promise of a horse. My first love. My true love. I met an old cowboy, unmarried, childless~ his horses were his family. My parents shared the issues they had been having w me. Suddenly, a tie down was slapped on me, hobbles as well. I could enjoy his horses, barn and company as long as I modified my behavior and did well in school. Overnite, I made a choice. I never looked back.JW was practicing equine therapy long before the term was ever coined.Horsemanship was the least I learned while spending my time with JW and his horses. We remained the best of friends until his death. This one quite, unassuming cowboy changed the course of my life. Thirty years later, I found Fly Without Wings Equine Center. Their goals were the same as JW's. To reach out to troubled teens and teach them another way to live. I knew I wanted to be involved with this organization. But FWW didn't stop there. Founder Jim Johnson, along with wife Betty, work with physically, emotionally and mentally diverse individuals of all ages. No one is turned away. I have had the priviledge of watching both work with clients displaying the utmost professionalism all the while allowing the individual to understand they do have worth and are loved. This seems to be a major theme/issue in children which have been labeled with learning disabilities. Many times by the time their parents find us, these children have little remaining self esteem, sometimes are angry, many times feel as if they will never be successful at anything. I have witnessed ED kids (how I hate THAT label) so many times difiant and filled with rage~ their anger melt, as the warm muzzle of a gentle horse brushes their necks, whispering, "Hey, you're okay." A message these children rarely hear. The screams of sheer joy from physically challenged kids and adults because they can ride a horse! They may not walk. They may not even be able to sit up in a chair, some cannot speak, however their smiles tell their story. For just a short while, life for them becomes normal as they participate in an activity they may have never dreamed would be open to them. The greatest gift Jim and Betty have provided, especially for the younger kids and teens is a haven of consistancy, safety, and love. Many of these young people sadly enough have never known such a place.FWW provides all of these qualities in an uncertain and sometimes unforgiving world. FWW is so much more than an equine therapy center. There is healing going on, one hoofprint at a time.