Helping the disabled ride high

KENT BLECHYNDEN/ The Dominion Post

TALL IN THE SADDLE: Riding for the Disabled volunteer Dorothy Wilkins with 15-year-old Mana College pupil Sonny Tauakume. She is proud of her own work, but even more proud of the young riders.

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While many dream of spending their retirement on the beach watching the sunset, Dorothy Wilkins takes pleasure in helping disabled riders build up their confidence on horses.

A former librarian, Mrs Wilkins, 75, of Wellington, has spent the past 15 years volunteering for the Riding for the Disabled Association in Porirua's Kenepuru Hospital grounds.

She wanted something to keep her busy after retiring at 60.

"I was forced to retire before I wanted to and needed something to do in the daytime. I know a lot about horses so I volunteered here, it's so rewarding to help."

She volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She starts at 9am, and appreciates the work done by volunteers who start earlier.

"They feed the horses in the morning and put their gear on, that sort of thing."

She says people often say she looks as if she is doing well for her age. "It keeps me fit. Even the things like the pooper scooping; moving that horse manure helps."

She's proud of what she has done, but is most proud of the riders for conquering their initial fears.

"A lot of the children who ride here are confined in wheelchairs and told what to do; the feeling of actually being put in charge of a horse is hugely beneficial and exciting for them. It also helps them with their balance."

Yesterday students from Mana College were excited about going riding, something they have done many times before.

Intellectually disabled student Iatua Mulu, 20, says he was scared when he first started, but now rides like a pro.

Mrs Wilkins led him, on Dex, around a track where riders can shoot a basketball through a hoop, among other activities.

At 3pm she puts the horses away, covers them up and feeds them.

She is one of 40 volunteers for the Wellington division of the RDA, which celebrated 35 years last November.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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