DUBAI // Eighteen years ago Sheikha Hassa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched RDAD by donating three of her horses to be used for therapeutic riding.
Since then, hundreds of children with a spectrum of disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida and various learning disabilities have been helped under the programme.
“RDAD’s programme utilises the horse to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, thereby allowing our students to develop their physical, cognitive and emotional abilities,” said Caroline Joyce Seemar, RDAD manager. “This means we can encourage our riders to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
The RDAD motto, she said, is “focusing on ability and not disability”.
“At RDAD we concentrate on what you can do - not what you cannot do,” said Ms Seemar.
There are 11 horses at the centre, based at Desert Palm Dubai riding school, where Ali Albwardy, RDAD’s chairman, provides facilities for the programme, which consists of 15 therapeutic riding sessions a week. Some of the horses have been given by the royal family, some donated by residents as they leave the country.
Each of the horses are matched to a child depending on their disability.
“Autistic children, for example, need to be focused so we might give them a faster horse so that they have to concentrate a bit more,” said Ms Seemar. “Someone with spina bifida, for example, or anyone with lower body or muscular problems, might need a little bit slower-moving horse.”
From the beginning, riders learn balance, coordination and self-assurance while receiving therapeutic muscle stimulation.
The aim, said Ms Seemar, is to improve poise, posture, strength and flexibility.
“Exercise in the fresh air, away from hospitals and physical therapy equipment, is something to which a true value cannot be assigned,” she said. “Confidence is also gained by mastering a skill normally performed by able-bodied people.
“Other psychological benefits include improved social and emotional intelligence.”
Ms Seemar said seeing a child smile at the end of the session makes her job and the work of the other volunteers all the more worthwhile.
“Everyone wants to go to work and have a good day so, when the children do well, it makes you want to put more effort in,” she said.
As every students needs a horse leader and two side-walkers to make sure the rider keeps their balance, RDAD is always in need of committed, reliable volunteers.
“No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference to our rider’s lives,” said Ms Seemar.
RDAD is also always happy to receive contributions. For more information, visit rdad.ae.
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