The Founders Vision

Did you ever wonder why, we just do what we do, without knowing why? In you there is an undeniable drive or a passion to do it and you just know that it is right. Honestly, how many people do you know that love their job and have a passion for it? Not many at all! I consider myself very blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to combine both of my passions, children and horses together. To find your purpose in life, to do what you were created to do, and to actually get the opportunity to do it rather than just dream about it!

It is all making sense to me now as I look back over the years and through Gods grace HE revealed to me why I have this passion for this therapeutic riding program. Something that I witnessed as a small child that has impacted my life forever. Here’s the scoop. When I was in 8^th grade our family went out of town on a vacation. My father who was only 38 at the time came down with a very high fever and had to be hospitalized. Unfortunately he received a wrong solution as an IV and it paralyzed him from the chest down . The doctors did not admit their mistake and blamed it on some fancy name called Transverse Militias and told him that he would never walk again. My Dad refused to believe the doctors report and through the next 11 years I saw that man struggle to walk again. Even though he did not have any feeling from the chest down, through much P/T & O/T he taught himself how to walk again. He had no feeling or balance at all. Even the slightest of breezes or small pebble on the ground could shift him off balance enough to send him tumbling.

Watching my dad fight and struggle each and everyday to take a step and become more independent instilled in me the drive to help children and adults with special needs, I want to give them a chance to to escape the clinical therapies and just have fun while strengthening muscles and building in them a hope that one day they will be all that God has created them to be.

One of my greatest gifts in my life was seeing my father, slowly but surely stand up and take a few steps toward me on my 8^th grade graduation day. He had a small bouquet of flowers curled around the handle of his walker and wanted to present them to me just like all the rest of the Fathers , standing tall and so proud of our achievements. Even though it was a day to celebrate me, I celebrated him! He deserved all the praise and credit for having the determination and the will to walk again! So for me, to see my Father set a goal, to just be able to walk a few steps and be able to stand independently on his own to present me with my bouquet of flowers was one of the greatest gifts I’d ever received. Even though I was only 12 it impacted my life greatly. And it wasn’t until just recently that it was revealed to me why I do what I do. That passion is the wind beneath my wings that drives me to continue to do what I do.

My eyes have always been my best feature, bright blue with dark rims just like my Dads. It never fails that wherever I go someone will always comments on how beautiful my eyes are!. My response is always, “Thank you , they are my Daddies eyes.” I had never thought about it until recently but I feel that I can honestly say, that I am looking at the world through my Daddies eyes and trying to impact those in need with hope and encouragement to make a difference in their lives.

Through Gods wisdom and grace he has equipped me with a gift to reach out to children and adults. I try to push them to come out of their comfort zone of complacency and help them become all that God has created them to be. Instilling in them that they have control of their destiny if they only have FAITH and just BELIEVE!

Victory Reins Therapeutic Riding Center has opened our riding program to all that want to come and experience the special bond that comes from being with a horse. No matter what your special needs may be, through God’s grace and guidance we are equipped to help you along your walk through life’s journey. Whether they are spiritual , mental or physical handicaps , we are ready for you to come and experience life to its fullest! While some physical need are more presently observed with the naked eye others are so deep with in the confines of our heart that they can only be detected when searching through your eyes, the window of your soul.

Let me challenge you come out and experience all that Victory Reins has to offer , by stopping out to visit us, exploring our many volunteer opportunities or by sending in a donation so we can continue to provide these services to special needs children and adults. Remember you can make a difference if you only BELIEVE!

Blessing to you!

Sandy Michalewicz

Founder and Director of Victory Reins Therapeutic Riding Center