Therapy in motion brings bundles of delight

THE unbridled joy on the children’s faces during their therapy sessions, at the South African Riding for the Disabled’s Durban (SARDA) branch, is one of the many reasons Mary Nel volunteers much of her free time.

Prior to her taking up a role at the non-profit organisation, she worked for Nedbank as a credit manager.

“I used to do community outreach programmes and, because of my love for horses, I came up here to see what they were doing and their needs. I did a motivation and had R50 000 donated to SARDA for irrigation. Once I retired, I needed something meaningful to fill my time and this was the obvious place for me to come as I have a passion for children and horses. The combination of the two is just perfect,” she smiled.

She started riding when she was 50 and believes it is the quiet communication and the emotional relationship riders build with their horses that enticed her to continue the pastime.

ALSO READ: Be a SARDA volunteer

She took up a general volunteer role three years ago but wanted to become intrinsically involved.

“Seeing the benefit it had on the children, I was easily roped into the committee and have now taken on the role as PRO,” beamed Mary.

“Volunteers are so humbled when they see what the children who come here, leave with. Many of them have such complications, from cerebral palsy to autism. They are such happy souls when they leave as there is an automatic therapy that goes on in their body, just by going on a ride for a period of time.”

A moment Mary can recall with exact clarity, and still brings tears to her eyes, involved an eight-year-old boy who had no verbal communication.

“Coming here, he mentioned the word ‘horse’. The teacher looked around in disbelief because, as far as she knew, the child did not speak. On the horse we do exercises that use their core muscles and he was verbalising everything,” she enthused. “He had all of that in his brain, he just never had the outlet to express himself. We were all in awe!”

The organisation is in need of volunteers and applicants do not need any horse experience. “We give training and are desperate for volunteers,” said Mary.

ALSO READ: Sportsmen give back to aspiring riders

When she isn’t working at SARDA, she takes her own horse, Jason, from the NPO’s grounds to the Durban Shongweni Club for 10km adventures in the sugar cane. Sewing is another one of her hobbies.

Get your adrenaline pumping

TAKE part in the craft market and family fun day at the Durban Shongweni Club on Sunday, 25 November from 7.30am to 3pm.

There is an exciting 1,3km obstacle course race and a 10km MTB and obstacle course race combo you and the family can enter. To book your spot, visit www.roag,co.za.

There will be a children’s zone, live music, a craft market and arena events. E-mail durban@sarda.co.za.

“We will be hosting our biggest event, ever! Our appeal is for people to support us and to take part in the obstacle course. It is not about results, but about family and friends involvement.

“There will be SARDA options as well for those that do not feel they can compete. I will be competing alongside my own family and the age range in my team is six years to 65 years old,” said Mary.

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