Meet Fran, a volunteer at the Riding for the Disabled Association, Tall Timbers Centre, sharing their journey as part of our ‘Share Your Story’ series.
A Lifetime of Volunteering
“I have been volunteering for the past 42 years in various organizations and capacities. I have been a member of the RDA Tall Timbers Centre for 14 years and absolutely love it. I started there after my previous volunteer position was no longer being funded by the Government – albeit that the program had been successfully running for 10 years – so all volunteers were let go unfortunately.
Finding a Perfect Fit
“However, the upside was that I found RDA. I love horses and have worked with disabled children through many organizations, so RDA was a perfect fit for me.”
The Joy of Seeing Progress
“It is so rewarding to see the joy on the faces of people when they are on a horse! The improvement in both physical and mental abilities is absolutely astonishing over what seems to be a short period of time. There are many activities that children perform on horseback and these improve both their dexterity and their core strength. Speech and reading through games also encourage motivation and learning. Riders’ self-esteem is greatly enhanced when they successfully achieve goals, and they also learn the value of rules.”
Multifaceted Involvement
“I am also on the Centre Committee, assist with property maintenance and fundraising, as well as assisting with the riding classes themselves. Absolutely love it!”
Encouragement to Potential Volunteers
“I would highly encourage anyone to volunteer in whatever capacity they can. Not only is it rewarding for you, but to see the assistance you are giving to others is truly amazing. There is always something out there for everyone in a volunteer capacity – no matter how big or small, every bit counts.”
Photos:
1. Receiving a Life Membership award from the RDA President.
2. Leading a rider with a fellow RDA instructor.
