Big gap to fill

Coming to terms with what a disability means for different people and being put outside her comfort zone are just two issues that retiring RDA volunteer, Sue Cleaver has had to cope with.

Sue says that when she started as a volunteer she felt comfortable around horses but had no idea how therapeutic each ride could be to someone with a disability. ‘When I look back over my time with the RDA I have been on a huge learning curve and experienced tremendous personal growth, ‘ says Sue.

She says that the level of expertise among the volunteers has increased beyond measure resulting in a ride that provides quality therapy for the client.
‘My own personal interest lies within the hippotherapy sphere and this has run parallel with my interest in yoga,’ says Sue. ‘I’ve enjoyed the wholistic approach of both the physical and mental aspects of the rides.’

Over the past 10 years Sue has dedicated approximately 30 hours a week to the Motueka branch of the RDA but now feels that it is time for her to move on. The branch is hoping to attract new volunteers in time for the next instruction course in February 2007.

Sue says that the RDA need people with energy, who are physically fit and have good communication skills. ‘They need to be able to see the big picture, have a sense of humour and to recognise that what might work one day, won’t the next,’ she says. However, the rewards for working with the clients, the horses and the other volunteers are huge.

‘Seeing clients achieve things that they didn’t think they could or that special smile on their face is extremely rewarding.’

The Motueka branch of the RDA needs more volunteer helpers and more horses looking for a meaningful change in their lives. .

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