SHARI'S NEAR FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT STORY

Horses were my life from a child. I ate, breathed and dreamt horses. I rode and was around many horses. When I was 12 my Dad got me my first horse named "Dutchess". She was in need of weight. She was a gorgeous black and white Pinto Tobiano. I kept horses always in my life. Then, the unimaginable happened! In the year 1994 I was in a near fatal Auto Accident, I died and came back thanks to the persistent work of all my doctors. I was lifted by Lifestar to a large hospital with severe brain bleeding called TBI (Tramatic Brain Injury). I broke nearly every bone in my body, my right foot was severed, I had open tibia fractures, broken ribs on my left side. I also suffered severe fractures of my arms, broke my left shoulder and collar bone.

I suffered Horner's Syndrome that made my pupils stay fixed. This made my eyes very sensitive to light and my face drooped on the right side. I also had lacerated my spleen and had internal bleeding along with permanent nerve damage! I was hospitalized then transfered to a nursing home where my family was told I would probably never walk or talk again if I lived. As time went on after several years the doctors also found I could only sweat on half my body. This makes any excercise difficult as I become very over heated.

As if that wasn't enough, when I awakened I had no life, in other words severe memory loss from the TBI. When I finally became aware of my surroundings I thought it was 15 years earlier than the present time. I was gone from a real life for a very long time. A dear friend took me into their home away from the nursing home. With much time and patience I went from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane. It was well over a year before I could attempt walking. My speech retured slowly as I slurred my words and drooled much of the time. I did still have the love of my dog Jenna which at the time was the only constant to me in my life.

My friend knew my passion, love and respect for horses. I was driven to a farm weekly to try to ride a horse. I first started with bonding and grooming the horse. The aroma and scent of the horse was so relaxing. Everything I knew with regard to my physical attributes about riding returned to me very slowly. The Balance, The Love and The Passion returned along with a smile. I slowly started looking for a horse for myself. My balance was way off as I had no feeling in my right leg. I continued almost daily to this farm and felt my condition improving. After two years of consistantly riding and working hard at regaining my skills I decided it was time to get a horse of my own.

I started my search from barn to barn for a year. Finally, I happened upon a huge seal bay horse named "Pegasus Dreamer". Our eyes met, "I could see into his soul". I knew he could see into mine! I admitted to myself I needed him and he needed me. In the same stable was a an intelligent Appaloosa gelding named Mr. Domino Effect. With much help through equine therapy, yoga and guidence I started back into my equestrian journey that I had held so dear to me in my life prior to the auto accident.

A bond formed and before I knew it I was riding and regaining my balance. My speech improved, however, the damage to my brain was permanent. I suffered from seizures and black outs but the horses KNEW and nuzzled me. I then got a call from a friend about "Doc" the leopard Appaloosa. He was gentle and kind so I took him home also.

I still suffer from seizures, blackouts and also only sweat on half of my body which is very dangerous. I have come a long way and continue to work hard to continue my life with all my disabilities.

We have all come a long way and "I OWE MY LIFE TO MY HORSES" and the people that helped me along he way!

I finally founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called "Healing With Horses" at WildRose Horse Farm so I can help others in need regardless of their disability. Please help us grow even if you can only send $5.00 every little bit helps. I of course am not able to work with all the permanent damage and had alot of help writing this. Remember DON'T ever give up on life. DON'T QUIT. Take a deep breath and one step at a time. Live in the moment and think positive.