David Withrow joined the Holistic Riding Equestrian Therapy program in 2022, and came home from Special Olympics that year with a medal.
David Withrow rides with the help of his mother, Bridget, left, and Kathy Sanders, a volunteer with the Holistic Riding Equestrian Therapy program in Homer Glen. When David Withrow was adopted at 9 ½ years old, his new parents were told he had severe autism, a severe intellectual disability, profound hearing loss and that he would not be able to communicate.
During the pandemic, when few activities were available, the Withrows found a horse farm in the village of Manhattan where he could participate in a safe, fun, outdoor activity. David joined the Holistic Riding Equestrian Therapy program in 2022. During his first trip to the Special Olympics that year, he came home with a medal and was so excited, his parents said.
David then expressed the most communication his parents had ever seen. He let them know he felt as though he was being treated like a baby because his mom gave him the same help she was giving to his sister Evie.So they vowed to help him learn how to ride independently for the Special Olympics this October.
David has also learned to groom his horse without help and to use reining commands needed to navigate his horse through complex patterns.During the Special Olympics in October, David will ride his horse in a pattern with no obstacles and then again when obstacles, such as poles, cones or gates. His mom can use sign language to help him, but she will stand next to the judge’s table, and David’s vision, even with glasses, is not very clear. But they continue to practice.
“That’s a big deal,” she said. “Every person comes in here gets transformed physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially. It’s such a heart-warming moment. A horse’s power is unconditional love, unconditional acceptance and unconditional trust. It’s beautiful. There is hope no matter the disabilities, no matter the challenges.”In the last few years, horses have had a profound impact on David, his parents said.
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