PGL or similar?

[chocolatecakeystuff]

This is going to sound terrible, but I could do with a break. I'm full time carer for Dd (who has cerebellar atrophy) work 2 jobs, and have 2 horses.

Dd loves riding but since her illness she hasn't been able to ride the deamon pony, so just goes for a plodd on my big girl every so often.

The cerebellar atrophy effects her balance & co ordination. She uses a wheel chair for longer distances. It effects a few other bits, like swallowing and talking but nothing so major yet that its a huge problem. It is degenerative so no idea how long she'll be able to walk/talk/eat and do general day to day things, which is one of the reasons I'm thinking this summer might be ideal for a riding holiday.

She went on an activity holiday with ndcs for 2 days and had an amazing time,so I don't think shellmiss me too much.

I know its aweful but I feel so run down. This year has been utterly shit & I need a bit of restbite. Feel terrible but at the same time think its what we both need iyswim

Has anyone else shipped their children off on a riding holiday? Where did they go? Which companies etc. We're based in the east midlands/east anglia border.

Is there not an association for her condition that could recommend somewhere suitable as I'm not sure that everywhere would perhaps be happy to take her . You have my sympathy ,my daughter has quite severe CFS and I'm her full time carer so I know how you feel to a degree , although with mine there is at least light at the end of the tunnel IYSWIM . ( I hope )

Nope, as far as we know we're the only one in the country with ca - all the other children started off with an under developed cerebellum, so get progressivly better rather than worse like us.

We're under the childs brain injury trust but a bit out their remit seeing as we don't technically have an injury. So don't qualify for anything funded like restbite.

Would really like something horse focused. I know when I was about her age we went to a place in wales who also catered for diabled children. But can't remember what it was called.

You could try Wales Riding Holidays
Bryndulais, Rhydlewis
Llandysul
SA44 5RW
Tel: 01239 851131
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.walesridingholidays.co.uk
Or Clwydd riding centre , sorry can't do proper links , I'm a technophobe.

Clwyd RDA centre would be ideal

www.clwydspecialridingcentre.org.uk/

I've been there on holiday with RDA groups quite a few times and we've had an enormous amount of fun. The have the most amazing gallops/hack track, very safe and the more advanced riders can have a trot and even a canter, while everyone else enjoys the water, the views, etc at a more sedate pace and away from all traffic.

It might be an idea for your DD to join your local RDA group as well.

Calvert trust could also be well worth a look - although not sure if you could just do horses as they do a wide range of outdoor activities. And perhaps too disability focused for where your dd is at.

Further afield but absolutely amazing- Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association (INTRA). We volunteered as a family there and stayed at a cottage nearby. Amazing horses and expert understanding of degenerative conditions (and all other challenges). Can't praise them highly enough. You can help round the yard and excersize the horses in the morning- they all have an able bodied rider at the start of the day and, believe me, they know the difference, DD can ride on the beach and through the dunes or try western or vaulting. All the horses can wear adaptive tack and are responsive. I've seen hemiplegic riders, riders with CP, blind riders, amputees and riders with paraplegia do things on those horses that brought tears to my eyes. Physio on site to help and advise.

Thanks guys, came across calvert trust, going to give them a ring when I get 5 minutes to myself (ie after half term)

She rides with the local rda every Thursday