Sunday Lifestyles

Breakthrough moments bring lots of magic

Parenting is one of the hardest responsibilities anyone can undertake, yet it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Life is an adventure. Sometimes, it is filled with challenges we never anticipated but reveals so much about the real purpose of life.

The truth is that we are all just one accident, one diagnosis, or one unexpected phone call away from a completely different life.

Throughout my career working with families of children with disabilities, I have had the privilege of not only supporting them professionally but also observing their lives. I have met countless "supermoms" and families who embraced their reality, found their people, celebrated the small victories, and found joy in the challenges. Being blessed doesn’t necessarily mean having an easy life. Sometimes, it means recognizing the blessings within a difficult one.

Witnessing those moments of joy: first steps, first words, first attempts at rolling over, first rides on a horse, and countless other "firsts" was such a privilege.

Imagine not being engrossed with material things, social expectations, mental pressures, and the endless complexities of the world. With a child who is developmentally delayed, it's the little things that count.

Something happens around our horses. The noise and stress of the outside world fades away.

Porter Cofer first came to Centaur Stride in 2019, before COVID changed so many lives. He Is nonverbal and communicates using his computerized talker. He has an extremely rare genetic disorder called KDM5C. Symptoms may include altered muscle tone, anxiety, ADHD or autism, developmental delays, epilepsy, gastrointestinal issues, intellectual disabilities, motor delays, ocular disorders, short stature, sleep difficulties, and speech impairments.

That does not describe the joy, sweetness, determination, learning, collaboration, community, advocacy, and inclusion that also are part of the package.

Disabilities affect far more than the individual. They can profoundly affect family life, siblings, marriages, friendships, careers, and social connections.

There may be enormous healthcare costs, difficulty accessing testing and therapy services, inaccessible environments, a lack of support, career setbacks, and significant emotional and mental-health challenges.

That is why finding "your people" is so important.

Heather Cofer is one of those remarkable "supermoms." She is deeply involved in and a Board Member of the KARES Foundation (KDM5C Advocacy, Research, Education, Support), and spent the past six years turning their challenges into advocacy and action.

Their 5th Annual 5K Color Run will take place on September 26. To learn more and support their work, visit the KARES Foundation.

It didn’t take long for Porter to get on a horse in 2019. Each time he returned, he became increasingly willing to engage. Then COVID happened. Life changed. Programs stopped. And six years passed. He returned this past April, now 13. There was a familiarity at Centaur Stride, yet many things were different. He remembered which horses were there before and which were new since.

He kept his distance. His instinct to retreat was repeatedly challenged by an almost magnetic fascination with the animals.

Although he retained some memories of Centaur Stride, years of change, anxiety, and sensory challenges required delicate handling. For children like Porter, increased demands often lead to increased avoidance. As difficult as interactions can be, Centaur Stride is a place where time is given for choices. It is an important step for processing and organization of the nervous system.

It took several weeks of encouragement and celebrating the little things, such as his willingness to pet the horse, brush, feed and lead the horse in the arena. Porter is very intelligent, frequently scanning the environment to make sure everything is the way it should be. Mom says, "He does get excited when we pull into the parking lot if he sees horses sticking their heads out and he knows which ones they are. It's more a familiarity thing now.  He wants to go inside and see every horse and make sure they are all where they are supposed to be. He loves feeding them, and the additions of Diamond and Eagle peaked his interest. He seems very curious to see how that will play out."

It took five weeks for Porter to get on the horse and is still never a sure thing.

There is still much to learn about the complex ways the human body and brain respond to movement, connection, and interaction with horses. Research continues to explore the neurological and physiological effects of equine-assisted interventions, including their potential role in reducing stress and supporting emotional regulation.

We may not yet have cures for many genetic disorders or disabilities. But we do have opportunities to connect, learn, build confidence and experience independence.

At Centaur Stride, trained staff and specially selected and trained horses work together to create those opportunities every day.

Please join us. Whether you become a volunteer, a donor, or a participant, you can help create more of these moments--and help another family discover the possibilities that can exist within the unexpected. Visit us at linktr.ee/centaurstride.