I’d like to share our story about being a fortunate participant of the Driving Magic program.
My daughter Jenna was attending Peachtree Ridge High School and was given a permission slip to attend the program as a class group outing. Jenna is non-verbal, severe/ profound autism, global developmental delays including tactile defensiveness (she doesn’t like to touch) so I was very curious as her parent to understand what she would get out of the program. I called and asked if I could come and observe which was Ok’d. Much to my surprise, my urban / suburban raised daughter immediately became “countryfied” and loved everything- wide open spaces, the horses, fresh country smells, and the people. She waited her turn (like her mother, patience is not her strongest suit!), tolerated and accepted wearing a helmet, and even grabbed and held onto the reins (huge deal to keep touching especially on a foreign surface). Most importantly, while Jenna is a very happy person usually, I saw a calm, confident, independence that rewards us with a huge smile and cooperation from the minute she sees the property until we are headed back. Since Jenna can’t speak, she uses a communication device to assist her with the commands – move please (horse handler), gee, haw, come up, and whoa.
While we were there for her first lesson, the teachers went over her IEP goals to tie them to the lesson to make program something we could leverage towards progress and attainment. There was another student, Heather, who was in the arena and to my amazement, Heather, who had significant challenges (feeding tube, wheelchair, and limited mobility), was driving the horse carriage using the reins wrapped around her feet!! Heather’s ride is the definition of “can do”!! Heather too had a huge smile on her face and as I looked around all the students and everyone there was smiling. The positive environment is simply contagious in a really good way!! It wasn’t a one-time experience – it happens every time we come out to the farm.
Between the “Heather experience” and Jenna’s, I sought out Jennifer Lindskoog (Driving Magic’s founder) and begged her to take Jenna as a private student in addition to class outings. Jennifer had an opening so we capitalized from the opportunity.
Fast forward several years and we have continued to experience ongoing gains with Jenna as do all the participants. This program is success. Everyone benefits – participants, parents, caregivers, volunteers, friends, family.
Driving Magic is a 501(c)3 and depends on funding and donations from the generosity of the community, volunteers, friends, and family to run the program and provide scholarships to those with financial challenges. No qualified participant is denied. Special needs impacts all ages, doesn’t discriminate on color or income levels. While it is “therapeutic” and has accreditation, it is not hippo-therapy or traditional therapy that is qualified for insurance reimbursement. The driving horses are extra special and have talent above “other horses”. The training and certification / accreditation needed by them and the drivers is long, expensive, and is not always a match. We are fortunate to have Monkey, Prince, and Dusty to be our lead horses who continue to provide Jenna and the other participants the ability to have their respective “can do experiences” with each lesson.
As we approach the holiday season, remember Heather, Jenna, and the Driving Magic program. Please consider making a donation honoring the person you may know or may want to know more, the special needs community, our volunteers, the future participants and the program’s longer term viability. Your donation is needed. I will commit to you and lead by example – we will donate $500.00 to kick start the fundraising. Join us and help support Driving Magic by donating online at www.drivingmagic.org/donate/ or by sending to Driving Magic PO Box 279 Duluth, GA 30096.
Happy Holidays to you and thank you in advance for your contribution!
Denise Turner