Imagine what it feels like to be a child with periodic paralysis.
Your body doesn’t always work right, and you don’t understand why. You can’t do a lot of sports as your friends do, so you feel left out. You are embarrassed because you see yourself as very different from the other kids, so you try to hide your condition. But sometimes, other kids do notice it, and they question you and tease you.
Children with PP need physical activity they are safely able to do that also increases their happiness and self-esteem. Therapeutic horseback riding is an excellent activity for these kids! It strengthens their balance and coordination while also boosting their emotional skills as they care for the ponies. If you want to learn more, come look at our free webinar Therapeutic Horseback Riding For Children With Periodic Paralysis, which takes place on April 8th at 11:00 AM EDT.
In this live webinar, you will meet Shannon and Shelby, two therapeutic horseback instructors from the organization SpiritHorse. These two have a genuine passion for helping children with disabilities, and they are excited to tell you all the ways that horseback riding is perfect for kids with PP! You’ll get to see videos and hear stories about the amazing benefits this activity has for kids.
Another announcement: We now have “PPA Ponies” T-shirts available for both kids and adults! These shirts are a great way to proudly show your support for kids with periodic paralysis. Plus, your purchase has an impact in multiple ways!
A portion of the proceeds, for the first week, will provide scholarships for kids with disabilities to take riding lessons at SpiritHorse. The ongoing sales will fund Dr. Steven Cannon’s PP research. Dr. Cannon is one of the leading periodic paralysis researchers, and he needs funding to continue his work to learn more about PP and discover a cure. Some of the T-shirt proceeds will also go to the PPA’s Awareness Campaign so that we can keep spreading awareness of PP through new content such as- videos, articles, and social media posts.
For children with periodic paralysis, having an activity that allows them to feel good about themselves physically and emotionally makes a world of a difference. When they interact with a therapeutic pony, they are not simply riding an animal, but making a friend. Ponies won’t judge or criticize them — instead, they form a genuine, authentic connection. And did you know: There are some ponies that have PP, too!
Your support of organizations like SpiritHorse and the Periodic Paralysis Association has a huge positive impact for children with PP. A simple act of purchasing a T-shirt can help kids even more than you realize. This disorder is very challenging to deal with, especially for a child — so support from generous people like you provides a shining spot of hope!
