Once in a while a particular organization really touches your heart. Ready Set Ride in Plainfield has definitely touched mine. I first learned of them several years ago when my niece, Kelly, began volunteering there. You won't find a more dedicated group of volunteers than those people who dedicate their time to special needs children.
Since 2001, the Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Recreation Facility has served countless special needs and terminally ill children by providing horseback riding services. It is their goal "to assist these children in achieving the highest quality of life possible through the use of horses and individualized activities focused on the needs of the student."
For many of these children, the horses provide mobility that is liberating, something they struggle with in everyday life. Each child, through the creative use of games and activities, barely realizes they are receiving physical, speech, occupational, developmental, and recreational therapy. What they do know is they are having a marvelous time on "their" horse.
Kelly has felt very privileged to be a part of Ready Set Ride and a few years ago even asked me to use their facility for some of her senior portraits. Below are a couple of the images from that shoot.
I, in turn, am very privileged as tonight I will be providing my expertise as a volunteer. I have been given the opportunity to photograph these children on their horses at the barn and I am excited to provide them with something that will help them remember this special time in thier lives. It will be an experience that I am sure I will never forget.
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