I'm writing to express sincere appreciation for the services provided to our daughter Rebecca. She began riding at S.M.I.L.E.S. at the end of her kindergarten year and is still riding with you, nearly 14 years later. I can't begin to calculate the number of miles we've driven between Whitewater and Darien over the years, but I can easily calculate the benefits to Rebecca and to other riders in your program.

Rebecca's first task at S.M.I.L.E.S. was to develop enough courage to approach a horse. The staff was patient with her, encouraging her to watch other students until she felt comfortable. Beccy soon decided that, if a particular little boy could ride with such enthusiasm, she could as well. Thus began her love affair with horses and our respect and affection for your program.

Beccy faces a variety of challenges, including low muscle tone, poor motor planning, speech delays, sequencing difficulties, memory problems, learning disabilities, and sensory defensiveness. She has endured years of occupational, physical, and speech therapy, as well as enrollment in special education classes. When a child lives with so many difficulties, every day becomes a struggle. How would any of us react if failure was always at hand? Beccy has had to endlessly repeat difficult words, attempt hand movements without success, try and try again to run and jump, always be the last one finished in class . . . who wouldn't eventually become discouraged and experience a loss of self-respect and self-esteem? S.M.I.L.E.S. is different from the other services offered to children like her. The strength of your program lies in its ability to improve physical, developmental, and social skills through a positive and "normalized" experience. Remarkably, all of my daughter's challenges are addressed when she rides a horse. It's obvious that riding requires motor skills. The other skills that are required may be less obvious to non-riders: language, sensory, memory, learning, social, and more. Riders must learn patterns, follow directions, listen and respond. Riding is indeed very therapeutic, but without the discouraging elements of the usual therapies which these students experience. Your riders are able to address their weaknesses through the enhancement of their strengths. No one would claim that riding can cure disabilities, but no one can deny the improvements in functioning and development that do occur.

The advantages of riding are not limited to its obvious therapeutic benefits. How can we place a value on the thrill of mastery that comes from riding? Many of your riders have always been dependent on and controlled by others. But at SMILES they become kind and gentle masters of a large horse! I have a vivid memory from Beccy's early years at S.M.I.L.E.S., when twin boys were taken from their wheelchairs and mounted astride two large horses they wanted only the biggest horses. This was the only place where they were able to literally rise above their usual position in low wheelchairs and become the tallest people in the arena. Who can see children leave their crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs behind, if only for an hour, and not be moved?

This leads me to describe what I believe is the greatest power of your program: riding horses is a "normal" life activity. When a young life is full of developmental and medical difficulties, often separate from typical childhood opportunities, socially and educationally isolated, it's easy to understand why the seemingly simple act of riding a horse becomes such a powerful and positive experience. When my daughter completed a school questionnaire at the end of her middle school experience, she was able to state that her favorite activity was horseback riding. Without S.M.I.L.E.S., what could she have written?

Without S.M.I.L.E.S., there would be no trophies on her windowsill, nor would she have a large display of award ribbons. Her older sister used to complain about Beccy's horseback riding opportunities: "It's not FAIR! Why can't I be disabled so I can ride too?" Riding is the only thing Beccy has ever done that inspires jealousy and admiration from her sister and friends - what a wonderful, ego-boosting gift!

We will always be grateful to S.M.I.L.E.S. I commend your vision, your hard work, and the kindness and skill development provided to your students. Every day your riders face so many difficulties. But because of S.M.I.L.E.S., for at least one hour a week they're able to experience freedom, pleasure, support, acceptance and growth. I hope that the communities you serve become ever more aware and supportive of this jewel in our midst. On behalf of Rebecca and our family, we thank you. Sincerely, Pamela Van Doren