Who is Blaze? Blaze is a horse Benny met a while back on a therapy exercise. The following is a story I wrote as through Benny’s eyes and heart about this harmonious experience on top a horse!
Although Benny’s face is turned away in the picture, I love the expressions on everyone else’s faces! Benny was so wild and boisterously laughing that he had us all laughing with him. This is the way of special needs children. This ability to make others happy is a part of their beautiful life!
My name is Benjamin, but everyone calls me Benny.
“Come, Benny, let’s get you into your chair! Today you will be going horseback riding! Wait till you see the horse, Benny! You will love it so much!” exclaimed Mom.
The excitement in the air was apparent on that wet spring morning.
What does a horse look like, I wondered? Would I like it? I felt excited and a little worried. I didn’t know what was happening, but my family seemed thrilled at our adventure.
My family often calls me Bubby or Benny Boy. I am 14 years old. I don’t walk or talk but I go many places in my wheelchair, and I “tell” my family important things all day long.
Blaze and I.
We arrived at a beautiful park after about twenty minutes of driving. I noticed an enormous creature with four legs right away. This must be the horse they were talking about.
“Hi, Benny, this is Blaze. Would you like a ride in the saddle with Blaze?” asked the kind man as he shook my hand, “Here, Benny, you may touch Blaze.”
I reached out my hand very cautiously and touched him. He was soft. I liked Blaze immediately. He had warm, kind, brown eyes and a sweet, gentle face. I watched his pointed ears going back and forth. I think he was listening to me “talk.” I’m pretty sure he agreed with everything I said. In fact, one time he even nodded his head!
Up and away on the horse!
My daddy helped the horse people put a helmet on my head and before I knew it, I was sitting right on top of this magnificent animal. Next, I had the ride of my life! It was like rainbows and skittles all combined into a wonderful experience! I felt like a candle had lit inside me. I loved the movement of the horse and the way he connected with me. He moved forward and backward, side to side, and up and down. I wanted to stay forever!
We went off into the woods down a small, gentle trail made just for children like me. My mom says she could hear me laughing in pure joy the whole time! My daddy and two guides walked beside me so I would be safe. We all had a great time as they bust out laughing with me.
I was sad when my ride came to an end, but Daddy promised to bring me back again one day.
The day I met a horse for the first time, was the best day of my life. I have never felt so alive. I am thankful for this beautiful, harmonious experience!
Written by Benny’s mom as through Benny’s eyes and heart.
