Disabled girl needs your help again please

ebonyallen

ebonyallen

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For all of you who have not heard our story, quick run down, I had double transplant, then went on to loose my leg above the knee after a riding accident. I have since started to ride and show again, my last health problem has now been sorted, so we are back in action again.
I have now just started to lunge Ebony on my own without any help,which has been a long time coming she has been lunged by other people and by me but not on my own with her. She is very good with me considering I have to sit on a tub !! most of the time in case I fall over lol She does everything on voice commands which is great so I can keep her ticking over as can not ride as much as I would like because of the help I need so this is good that we now are doing this but she finds it very hard to canter on her right rein is there anything I can do to help her or is it just practice.
Lastly for anyone who might be reading this for the first time do you know anyone who has lost their leg above the knee as of yet I still can not find anyone to talk to, or if you can think of anything to help me to go further.
We are having our first lesson on Saturday, and I am worrid that I am going to look stupid, because it seems worse than learning to ride again after all these years, everything that I do is down to my wonderfull horse Ebony, and not really me, sorry bit long and more than one question, but any help or advise would mean so much to me, once again thank you :)
 
Hi
This is the first post I recall seeing but just wanted to say how inspiring that you are still willing to put your all into your horse and enjoy each others company. I think you could be rather an inspiring person to talk to my friend.She has a pinned and plated lower leg,still rides but is very aware of how another fall could result in her losing her leg and is terrified of the thought. Perhaps,I know it isn't the same,but would you want to get in touch with her. We aren't that far from you either as we are on Romney Marsh.
 
well done on keeping going, sounds like you have been through a hell of a lot.
re. improving canter on the left - lots of transitions, walk to canter and trot to canter help lots. Have you had her back checked too?When you say she finds it hard, what exactly do you mean? Strikes off in the wrong leg, goes disunited, falls out of canter, rushes onto the forehand, struggles to bend, falls in through her shoulder etc? So many ways of not getting it right unfortunatly!!
Good luck with your lesson, sure it will be great - though it is a little rich me saying that as I am too nervous to have a lesson as I worry they will think I am ****. I am aware that it is a stupid thing to think though! No one will think badly of you because you are learning, it's the people who know it all but don't and won't learn that are annoying!!
(p.s. your horse may well be utterly fabulous, but she can't do it without you either, so you must be doing plenty right, try not to be so hard on yourself!).
 
sounds like you are def doing the right thing, slowing her down and asking again. Have you or anyone ridden her recently, do you know if she does this under saddle? Sometimes when asked on a hack some horses find it easier to go into canter. Would def get her back checked as it seems odd that she is fine on one side and just can't on the other. Can you ever get her to canter on the right rein? Is it a recent thing or has she always been like this?
 
EA - You are a totally inspriration to me! I am able bodied, and have often wondered that if anything (God forbid) were to happen to me, I would have the determination and courage to carry on with my passion of horses! You should be so pleased with your self!
With regards to the canter leads on the lunge, I would put a pole down on the ground, and try to get her to pick up canter as she goes over it. This should help encourage her to get the correct lead.
With regards to speaking to people with similar disablilties, did the hospital not give you any details of charities etc you can get in contact with? What about contacting the BHS... they may be able to point you in the right direction for riders with similar disabilities!

Keep up the good work, you are doing so well!! xx
 
Samantha Smead who was one of the Thalidomide babies (she had no hands) went on to school and ride her own horses. I belive she was in the Surrey/Sussex area.

The most experienced people to talk to would be Riding for the Disabled.

I believe the largest centres that are close to you is the Diamond Centre and the Wormwood Scrubbs Pony Centre. Have a chat to Sister Mary Joy at Wormwood Scrubbs Pony Center as she is a very accomplished rider and has been teaching disabled riders to care for, school and ride horses for many years.

Links below:
www.diamondcentre.co.uk
www.wormwoodscrubbsponycentre.co.uk
www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
 
There was a lady in the paper years ago who had lost her leg in a riding accident, she rode without her prosthesis, she had a special cup for her stump instead. Sure it was above the knee as I seem to remember a loose pony kicked out at her horse and shattered her knee, which is how she lost the leg? Might be worth an exploratory google - think it was in the Daily Fail!
 
wow, you are a total inspiration!!

Ditto speaking to the para dressage people, they will surely be able to help you.

As for your lesson, there is no way you are going to look stupid, i am sure that any riding instructor will be really impressed with what you have achieved. I am sure they will be able to sort out your canter issues.

Good luck with it all xx
 
I had a talk at work recently from one of the guys at PACE Rehabilitation. They specialise in artificial limbs and rehab after loss of a limb. The chap who gave the talk had a below knee prosthesis, and he had some amazing stories of the people they have helped. The determination of some of their patients to continue with their sports was inspirational.

He didn't specifically mention horseriding, mainly motorcycling, mountain biking, skiing, watersports, tennis, running and football. But they worked with their patients to develop limbs that could be used to enable them to participate. There were all kinds of solutions, limbs with fixed knees, or powered knees, limbs that attached directly to a ski, the sky was the limit with what they were doing. They also tried to pair people up with others with similar injuries.

I don't know what your circumstances are, whether you have insurance involved or a claim or any funds to help in your rehab but it might be worth contacting them to see if they might be able to help you. They do also sometimes take NHS referrals but they are a private service.

Best of luck though and keep us all updated with your progress.
 
There is a girl called Lisa Murphy who SJs who only has one leg, she is amazing, very inspirational, however I am not sure if she has a knee or not I am afraid. She doesn't do Para things, she competes against full, able bodied riders :)
 
Weezy said:
There is a girl called Lisa Murphy who SJs who only has one leg, she is amazing, very inspirational, however I am not sure if she has a knee or not I am afraid. She doesn't do Para things, she competes against full, able bodied riders :)
Click to expand...

all these people are an inspiration , esp . op , who we would like to see pix of getting back in saddle what a fab person you are
 
I haven't really got much constructive to say except - wow - you certainly are an inspiration and its great to hear that you are keeping going despite all the hurdles that are put in your way. I'm sure a double transplant was bad enough. Sorry for being curious but what did you have transplanted? Sorry if you don't want to say.

I came very close to losing my leg below the knee a couple of years ago after crushing it but after 8 operations and shed loads of antibiotics they managed to save it. Each day I worry that it could still have to come off. I am having problems atm and its always at the back of my mind.

Although my leg is is still there it doesn't work as well (believe it or not riding is better for me than walking) and I have been having a lot of problems with my schooling canter. In a straight line we are fine and I think it is probably 80% my fault. My fantastically patient instructor has been helping me correct it. She is an RDA instructor too which is why I chose her.

Do you still have physio? It could be that a bit of physio/rehab as someone mentioned above could help you with stength and balance. I was told pilates would help me but I haven't tried it yet.

Keep up the good work and let us know how the lesson goes.
 
Hi, im spike123 friend. I think you are truly amazing I had a riding accident and totally smashed my ankle and leg to pieces i was pinned and plated but had them out as they caused me more pain. Iv been shows and jumped but in the last couple of months i have this gut renching fear and my horse is really playing on my nerves hes making me not want to ride. I have no confidence and am so scared of loosing my leg as this is what i have been told, i feel unbalanced and that i cant ride and im letting my horse down and that really is breaking my heart as have had him from buba hes six now. just want to be me again.
 
I don't know about others on here, but I found your post humbling. The very last thing which you should worry about is looking stupid. I'd bet that there are those who are more able bodied than you, who'd look far sillier, and I'd also bet that I'm amongst them.

I have a riding friend who is now paralysed from the shoulders down. She carriage drives, she has a pilots licence, and she drives at a pace which frightens the life out of me!! Her achievements have come following an appalling fall.

You've come this far. Don't doubt. DO IT, and VERY well done! Keep going, but most importantly, PLEASE keep us updated.

Alec.
 
wow thank you all so much for your kind words, I never really see what I can do only the things that I can not, and the things I did before the leg went. Where to start with some of your questions, first of all I have tried the RDA they were very helpfull on the phone at head office but when it came down to a local level things were not so good, went to one and they only had mentally disabled riders spoke to another one on the phone 3 times left messages re my problem and they to date have not phoned me back. It was mainly down to the Hospital that I lost my leg, I took them on an 3 years later was told the case was not strong enough and was thrown out, I did not want money just someone to say sorry, so in answer no money to go private, the hospital and physio do not know of anyone above the knee who rides, they no lots of people below but not above, I can not be the only one I keep posting on different forums hoping that someone just might read it and know someone, but still its a no. The transplant that I had was my kidney and pancreas. I will check out all the sites you have put down and will let you know how the lesson goes so want to post pics will have to get someone to show me. So if ok with you all will put on further information on how it all goes thanks again for taking the time to answer my question
 
Spudlet, I am just about to email them to see if they might be able to let me contact her, this is the first time in 4 years that I might be able to speak to someone in the same position as me :) I have been in contact before with people below the knee, but above is so much different , thank you again for all your help :>)
 
ebonyallen said:
wow thank you all so much for your kind words, I never really see what I can do only the things that I can not, and the things I did before the leg went. Where to start with some of your questions, first of all I have tried the RDA they were very helpfull on the phone at head office but when it came down to a local level things were not so good, went to one and they only had mentally disabled riders spoke to another one on the phone 3 times left messages re my problem and they to date have not phoned me back. It was mainly down to the Hospital that I lost my leg, I took them on an 3 years later was told the case was not strong enough and was thrown out, I did not want money just someone to say sorry, so in answer no money to go private, the hospital and physio do not know of anyone above the knee who rides, they no lots of people below but not above, I can not be the only one I keep posting on different forums hoping that someone just might read it and know someone, but still its a no. The transplant that I had was my kidney and pancreas. I will check out all the sites you have put down and will let you know how the lesson goes so want to post pics will have to get someone to show me. So if ok with you all will put on further information on how it all goes thanks again for taking the time to answer my question
Click to expand...

Thinking on another level, have you thought about contacting the para olympic commitee... these will be able to put you in touch with other disabled people who ride at a good level (as opposed to the RDA be led round the school on a dope on a rope type riding) -- A lot of these riders compete regularly at a high level with sometime severe disabilities and may be able to help you with some of the issues you have... don't know if this will help but it must be worth a try... you never know London 1012 here you come...:)

Blitz
 
Following on from Blitz maybe the para people could put you in touch with instructors who specialise or who are in your area. Also, like you said, there must be other people who have lost a leg above the knee its just getting into contact with them thats the problem.
 
I think many will find you inspirational and you should be very proud of yourself, you ve certainly raised my spirits.
A few years I broke my pelvis very badly in a freak accident lungeing my young horse, and I now have 9 pins and two plates in my right hip and difficulties with the muscles in my thigh when riding and constant pain in my hip joint. I was told I may not walk again and that I should NEVER ride a horse either as a fall could do alot of damage and I could lose my leg. Well I have been riding ever since and have just acquired a new quirky youngster at the age of 54. Frustration at my lack of confidence and reduced agility bring me to tears frequently and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and thinking of giving up again after an incident with my youngster yesterday and a mincing on HHO,
then I read your post!
Hope you find someone soon to chat with and share experiences and tips but i have a feeling what ever obstacles you find you will manage to find a way to cope. Just because your physical abilities have changed doesn't mean your attitude inside has.
 
Firstly, as many I have said I utterly admire your dedication to carry on, many ppl in your situation would have just given up and I dont just mean with horse riding.

I know of a para-dressage rider, he is paralysed on one side, i know this isnt the same as you exactly but he has no use of his left leg. There was am article on him in H&H a few weeks ago http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/businessnews/397/298571.html More info here on someone that helps to train him and other disabled riders. Not sure how close u are tho. http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/cre...est-level/article-2318631-detail/article.html Sadly I dont really no him well enough to ask him to talk to you (we are associates through friends of friends, well my ex knows him pretty well) but he is on facebook. I can send u a link to his profile. I'm sure you can send him a private message, he is a nice guy.
 
Bexwarren24, that would be good if you could send me that link to the chap you know that would be great, and along with what others have said I will see if I can get hold of the para people to see if they might be able to help in anyway, again thanks to you all for all your ideas and suggestions keep them coming, I am open to any ideas that you might have :)
 
I had a lesson this morning and my instructor is heavily involved in the RDA and has her own local group.

I mentioned you to her and she said that she had heard of one or two cases like yours who were helped by the vaulting team. All to do with balance she said. She had seen them help blind riders too. May be worth adding to your list too.
 
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