Riding program helps kids with disabilities gain confidence, strength

Ted and Debbie Sulaski of Aurora suspect Danielle, their adopted daughter from South Korea, suffered a mild stroke at birth, which explains why she has struggled to gain muscle control and barely can hold her head up.

While the couple immediately sought out early intervention for their toddler, they have discovered something else that seems to stimulate all of her senses: horseback riding.

Danielle was one of nearly two dozen children who demonstrated their skills at an open house this month for a new agency called, "Walk On Equine Assisted Activities," based in Barrington.

Riding in a ring, with the help of two volunteers, and taking directional cues from lead instructor Mary Illing, the children showed extended family members all the gains they had made from the therapeutic riding sessions.

In Danielle's case, the strides were dramatic, her parents said.

"Doctors told us she'd never walk or even sit," Debbie Sulaski says. "And now she's walking with a walker and is sitting better."

Even Illing takes pride in her accomplishments. Just last summer, when she began working with Danielle, she only could hold her head up for three to four seconds. Now, Illing says, she can hold her head up for three to four minutes, while riding.

"There's nothing she can't do, when she's on the horse," Danielle's mother said.

Illing is an occupational therapist and certified Master Level Instructor with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, bringing 35 years of experience to the agency.

She describes horseback riding as helping children and adults with a variety of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, sensory integration disorder, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities and delays, and even head trauma.

"The horse rotates a rider's pelvis in a similar pattern as walking," Illing says. "It offers lateral motion, as well as back and forth, and rotational movement, just as walking does.

"This motion may be the first time a child with cerebral palsy feels correct pelvis movement," Illing said. "But it also helps with improving posture, head control, coordination, vestibular activation, balance and strength."

Parents at the open house concurred, commenting on everything from their children's improved coordination to their newfound confidence.

Patti Haney of Barrington watched her 10-year-old son, Noah, ride around the ring. The fourth-grader had been frightened of horses at the start, but now he confidently enters their stalls to put their tack on and groom them.

The riding has built up his core strength and balance, Haney said, as well as his ability to focus and process directions.

"He's really starting to sit up and push with his legs," Haney said. "That's the best I've seen him trot."

Marie Spicuzza of Oak Park, watched her 8-year-old son, Gabriel Gustafson, demonstrate his progress. Since he was diagnosed with Asperberger's Syndrome, which is on the higher end of the autism spectrum, his mother has searched for an activity that would engage him.

"It's given him physical strength, coordination and balance, as well as more confidence and self-esteem," Spicuzza says. "It's even helped with his socialization, since he has learned to work well with the instructors."

Devin McKinley, 12, of Barrington Hills, was one of the more advanced students to take the ring. The sixth-grader has neurological deficit on one side of her body. Consequently, her mother said the riding has helped with her balance and muscle strength.

While she worked to steer her pony and guide him through the cones and maze, a whole host of therapeutic benefits were happening, her mother said, even though Devin didn't realize it. All the sixth-grader can think about is riding faster.

"I love riding, but sometimes I have to go pretty slow," Devin says. "My favorite part is the trotting."

Walk On Equine Assisted Activities opens a new session, beginning Jan. 7 and running through May 24 in its facility, located at 26665 W. Cuba Rd. in Barrington.

For more information, visit www.walkonfarm.org.