The 2nd Annual Naples Equestrian Challenge 5k Run/Walk

The 2^nd Annual Naples Equestrian Challenge 5k Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 18^th at 7:30am.

 

If you have not already signed up – there is still time!!!

Race to be held in the Pine Ridge neighborhood.
Parking is at the North Naples United Methodist Church.

We encourage online registration at www.gcrunner.org.

http://www.raceit.com/search/event.aspx?event=1f04d825-3ad4-46e6-8c0c-0f629653f590.aspx

Horse ranch helps kids with special needs - ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

Horse ranch helps kids with special needs - ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida

My Honor: NECs December Volunteer Spotlight

Naples Equestrian Challenge kindly "spotlighted" me as December's Volunteer.  I am very honored and share the form I turned in for the Spotlight Bulletin Board in the hospitality shed.  

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Moved to Naples from: Los Angeles, CA                   Year moved to Naples: 2004

Why did you move to Naples?:

Our first child, Riley, experience a massive brain hemorrhage in utero.  His traumatic birth caused us to make many changes to our lifestyle which included moving to be closer to family.  We decided upon SWFL where my mother spends the majority of her time.

Present and/or past occupation, company name, job title & responsibilities: 

After the birth of my son, nearly 10 years ago, I gave up my paid occupation to devote time to him and ultimately educating and promoting causes of special needs. I LOVE NEC but also devote my time (when not caring for Riley) as an Arbonne Independent Consultant, the boys schools, and a personal blog on the journey of special needs parents.  Between caring for Riley and that, my "time clock" is full.

College/University & Degree(s) held including subject area:

Gettysburg College, English Lit. B.A.

Brooks Institute of Photography, Media, B.A.

Special Needs Kids, I have my S.N.K. degree (graduated on 8.28.2002 (birth of son)) and still pursuing.

Family (name of spouse, # children/grandchildren/pets):

Spouse: John Buck (when I claim him) John sits on the Program Committee and is the face behind the camera at NEC events.

Children: Riley (9) & Ronan (7 this month)

Hobbies/sports:

Scuba Diving & Photography

I became a Naples Equestrian Challenge volunteer (month/year):

I think that if you have a child with Special Needs, you need to be there for him/her.  When Riley turned 3 fall of 2005, we joined NEC.  I wanted to be there for him and give my time to a cause that I truly believe in. 

Volunteer areas:

I became a volunteer at NEC because it was the agreement parents and caregivers made as part of the rider contract.  My other Volunteer activity is volunteering my husband for things!  NEC is a "family oriented thing."  I am one of Riley's regular side-walkers, but not necessarily his favorite.  This year I took on another volunteer area as fundraiser.  Chico's, offered an opportunity for a shopping day in The Company Store, a sample sale warehouse, and the proceeds were returned to NEC.  The event took place in September and I hope to make it a yearly event with even greater attendance in the future.

Some of my most memorable NEC moments are…

Growing with NEC.  I started when the arena had no roof (those were some hot days, but fun for the kids).  Watching the Volunteers grow (we have photos of young boys and girls who have stayed with the program so long they turned into kids with braces into amazing adults).

I will always remember our first visit to NEC.  At that time, Riley was challenged by motion and car rides were particularly miserable.  He had cried on the drive and I was regretting taking him out at all.  It was a hot quiet summer day and the place appeared deserted.  I pulled Riley from his car seat and as I brought him into the sun a strong breeze struck us carrying the scent of hay and horses.  Riley's mood immediately turned joyous.  He liked it all and we had barely taken a step.  It smelled right to him.  It felt right.  I knew we would be staying.

As the years have gone by, NEC has remained a constant in our life.  As a special needs family, we don't go anywhere unnecessarily.  As a child and family with multiple disabilities sets us apart.  Naples Equestrian Challenge is one place where we are always welcome and understood.  It is also unique in that this is the one therapy we do not need to justify and can simply be something Riley can participate in and enjoy.

MY other comment:

Being Volunteer of the Month is not expected.  Particularly because there are SO many people "behind" this organization who are not out in the arena with the horses/kids who are so deserving...   Being a part of NEC is not about being at NEC when the kids ride.  It is about the families sharing education/being there for each other; the staff who do this not for the money, but the love of what they do; the people who because of physical or other challenges cannot side walk, but give their time in countless other ways.  The amazing sponsors who literally built a roof over my son's head when he walks and hung fans to cool him.  There are so many facets to NEC that we can all partake in.  I am Blessed to be a part of such an organization.

Other organizations & positions held:

Currently, I am an Arbonne Independent Consultant for health and wellness products, a blogger and I also volunteer with Freedom Waters Foundation, Rayma C. Page Elementary (Riley's school) and Bonita Springs Preparatory and Fitness Academy (Riley's School).

Some of my previous volunteer positions:

Wildlife Waystation, Level II volunteer

Volunteer, The Junior League of Los Angeles, Marketing Committee

Coastal Clean-Up Day Beach Captain for Will Rogers Beach & Steering Committee City of         Santa Monica

California Coastal Commission recognition 1993  1994, 1995, 1997

tripled turn-out to 500 in my first year as captain, collected 1139 pounds of trash, only 10 pounds shy of the winning site for most trash

Some of my previous employment positions:

US Census Bureau, 2010 Census, Ennumerator

Library Foundation of Los Angeles,                     

Lead for the City of Los Angeles Campaign, Liaison for The Council, Library Associates Membership

Freeman Hospitals Foundation - Donor Service Management for Hospitals & PCRI (Prostate Cancer Research Institute), Financial tracking, Grant, Events

The Nature Conservancy

Earth Share of California, Campaign Manager

NEC's Volunteer Spotlight

On November 2nd, I received this unexpected email:

Congratulations! 

You have been selected by the Program Committee as the October 2011 Volunteer Spotlight. 

Your photo and tribute will be displayed throughout the month in the display case outside the Volunteer Hospitality Shed.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers we thank you for your dedication and continued support of Naples Equestrian Challenge. You help out in so many different ways and you truly deserve to be spotlighted.

I am attaching a Volunteer Spotlight bio guide for you to fill out and return to me to help us with your displayed tribute.

Thank you,

Missy

Volunteer Spotlight?  Me?

John sits on the Program Committee which elects the Volunteer and the Rider of the Month.  He had mentioned nothing.  I quizzed him later.  What did I learn?  I learned that John abstained from the vote... and that was all.

How could I possibly deserve this honor?  How could I possibly participate enough to earn this recognition?  I wasn't there this morning when the horses were searching for their grain as the sun rose... I wasn't there last night when the stalls needed to be cleaned.  I wasn't there yesterday when the horses were hot and sweaty, waiting patiently for their tack to be removed and cleaned after lessons.  I wasn't there before the riders arrived to set up the ring...  I wasn't there as phone calls were made and invitations sent out to prepare for The Bootstrap Boogie fundraiser....  I wasn't even there when the last dish and chair was safely put away after the fundraiser... 

My husband was there for some of it.... Each member of the Program Committee was there for much of it... I see regular faces when we arrive for Riley's riding session who are still there each Monday evening as we pull out of our parking space... 

So very much goes into making Naples Equestrian Challenge a success.   My part is so very small.  So how could I possibly be noticed among all those amazing volunteers?  Perhaps that is the key.  All those amazing staff and volunteers do notice.  They notice that I try.  They understand that Riley, just as the many other children in the program, is a handful.  John and I made the decision back when Riley was just three years old that riding would benefit him.  This program deserves to be a success so I participate as I can.  I sidewalk with Riley here and there as needed.  My Chico's fundraiser was successful but far from the earnings of the Bootstrap Boogie (oh, here are more amazing photo's of the event by John: http://www.naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2011/nov/24/naples-equestrian-challenge-bootstrap-boogie-2011/).  In fact, sometimes I'm a little overbearing.  Yeah, I know it.  Perhaps a little acerbic.  I lecture volunteers.  I preach to other parents who are unwilling to participate.  There must be more than one volunteer or parent who issues a little sigh upon my arrival.  

But, after all that, here they are appreciating me.  And I appreciate each one of these amazing people who keep this wonderful place working for our kids.

Thank you Naples Equestrian Challenge!  You bring so much to our life!

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Later this week I will share the write up I shared for the bulletin board.
Smiley Face

Monday at the Barn:

Ronan makes himself at home in the hospitality shed to get his homework done.

Ms. Deb, volunteer PT, help Riley get a back stretch aboard Pick A Spot.

Reindeer for Stephanie!

To learn more about Naples Equestrian Challenge:

Melissa Saracino

Program & Volunteer Manager

Naples Equestrian Challenge

206 Ridge Drive Naples, Florida 34108

Tel:   + 1 239 596 2988

Fax:  + 1 239 514 2908

+ missysaracino@naplesequestrianchallenge.org

8 www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org

www.facebook.com/NaplesEquestrianChallenge

“The horses were the reason I started volunteering with NEC, however, the reason I stayed were the riders.”

- NEC Volunteer, Charlotte Newell

NEC's Spooktacular

Sunday found us at Naples Equestrian Challenge for the Fall Spooktacular.  The staff and volunteers did an amazing job creating a fun event for their riders and families.

To see the horses in their outfits take a peak at the Facebook page for Naples Equestrian Challenge.  They even managed a shot of Ted the Scuba Diver before he decided he was too embarrassed by his costume to greet the kids.

Yesterday's Lesson for Mommy

I know my son.

I am familiar with his limitations.  In many ways, as Riley grows life has more challenges; for one reason, his muscles cannot support his growing body and continually meeting goals is not his reality.

So, yesterday being a rainy, dreary day here with lots on our schedule including an evening meeting for Riley to set through and have me feed him his dinner during presentation... I simply went through the motions and brought only the supplies I had to have, which being special needs means plenty of stuff must be on hand.

The camera was given passing thought but left behind.  I have lugged it every riding lesson for months on end and did not plan on getting it wet for no reason.  Riley has not sat well for a horseback riding picture in some time.  Naples Equestrian Challenge is currently getting a good turn out on volunteers and once again this fall I had the pleasure of watching from ringside.  Watching without my camera as Riley performed the best he has on a horse in the past year!  Riley pushed with everything he had to sit up tall on Pick A Spot's back, he turned at the sound of his sidewalkers Rhonda and Deb, and laughed when they trotted and he responded over the low jump.  Was it the cool weather? Was Riley simply pulling it all together?  Did having a PT as his sidewalker (Deb usually circulates the ring) help him maneuver into place?  Does in matter?  Riley worked hard, he interacted, he had fun and I got to witness it.

Yes, my son can have really great days and I never know when they are coming.  Carry that camera Mom!

No, I have no picture to share his hard work with you!  Or to remind myself how hard Riley works and that he can still improve.

I can show you a link to Parenting Special Needs for for helpful files to download including a SMILE poster for your classrooms and workplaces.



We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Week of Success and Childhood Heartbreak

Success

The fundraiser Friday at Chico's The Company Store for Naples Equestrian Challenge was a great success!  I gathered my carpoolers and arrived a few minutes after 4 pm to discover the warehouse hopping.  Our participants were serious shoppers.  By the end of our allotted time the check-out line snaked back around the clothing racks and everyone had armloads of loot.

I am so excited to discover the results and want to hear everyone's experience.  Thank you Chico's!

Heartbreak

Three years ago Ronan entered Bobbi Noonan's VPK.  As the year went on, one of the other Dad's, Don,  and I set up regular playdates for the boys to give each other some child free afternoons.  Ronan and Ethan became inseparable and adored each other from the start, even asking for sleep overs.

SWFL has been particularly hard hit by the economy and Ethan's parents have decided to relocate to Florida's east coast where businesses are significantly busier and his mom has already found a great new position as interior decorator extraordinaire.  We are all so happy for the family for making so many positive changes in their life!  We will miss them dreadfully, however.  Ronan has taken his loss very hard.

"Can we move to Fort Lauderdale too?" he asked through tears last week.

"No, for now we will stay here but you will still be friends." I tried to comfort him.

"But, I love him!"  Now I was heartbroken as well.

 

Friends forever pose with their teacher, the beautiful Miss Lauren.

Always the sweetest and most considerate child I have ever met outside of my own.  Ethan considers Riley his next best buddy.  Riley has a friend!  And he's leaving...

Ronan sobbed all the way to school that morning, heartbroken.

We will still have playdates!  Better gas up the car.

Early Thursday morning after the last sleep over Ethan heads out the door to Fort Lauderdale with his new lion webkinz, "Mr. Ronan."

Late that evening a picture came through my cell from the amazing Ms. Maija.  Ms. Maija is Riley's other friend forever as well.  Ethan held his new buddy tight and hasn't let go since.

Yes, Ethan you are still part of this family.  We all love you.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Improving Lives One Stride at a Time

BEST OF > The Charity Register 2010

The Charity Register 2010

Your guide to great causes along the gulfshore.

Author: Jennifer Freihofer

Photographer: Brian Tietz

---

As the horse breaks into a trot, six-year-old A.J. sits up straighter, tosses his helmet-strapped head back and bursts into a contagious giggle. His parents, Michon and Angel Chamorro, laugh from outside the covered riding arena. Then, A.J. leans forward onto the pillow that supports him in the saddle.

Away we go!: Volunteers Brittany Reynoso (left) and Christiane Daniel (right) help six-year-old A.J. Chamorro as he rides Spot at Naples Equestrian Challenge.

At Naples Equestrian Challenge, A.J’s time on the specially trained horse, surrounded by certified instructors and volunteers, is a form of physical therapy for his cerebral palsy. His parents say it’s worth the drive from Estero to see his upper body strength, posture and vocals improve. Plus, his dad says, he absolutely loves it. “Every time he hears the word ‘horse’ or sees a picture, he’s pointing,” Angel says.
Each week, the program serves more than 100 children and adults with developmental delays caused by disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome to stroke and amputations. Another 40 to 50 riders participate in mental health activities for autism, attention-deficit disorder and more.
Melissa Caffey, Naples Equestrian Challenge’s former executive director, says most participants are on scholarship and ride about 40 times a year. They are charged only $10 per half-hour session, although it costs the program between $4,000 to $5,000 per rider.
Stacie Wiesenbaugh of Bonita Springs brings her son Riley Buck, eight, to ride. He was born with a brain hemorrhage that caused cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, hearing and visual impairments, and other complications that require him to be strapped to the horse. She remembers their first visit. “The wind was really blowing,” she says. “The smell of the barn hit him, and he started laughing hysterically and wouldn’t stop. It was like this place was the right place for him. There are very few opportunities for him to participate in anything and enjoy himself.”
A.J.’s dad appreciates all the hard work put in by the 270 volunteers each week. “I think it’s nice to see people take time out of their lives to help kids that need it,” he says. “It’s a great program. I hope it never ends.”
Naples Equestrian Challenge is one of so many worthy charitable organizations throughout Collier and Lee counties. The list on the following pages provides the goals of 267 organizations and offers ways for you to get involved along the Gulfshore.
—Denise Scott

Appointment Summer

It does seem as if life with Riley is all about schedules and appointments.  The production of planning, getting through the next activity and arriving at the right place and time, in the reasonable mindset, wear us out.  I find myself procrastinating with each line on my list for the day and admittedly some of the lines are left unmarked.

Riley's schedule is packed as Summer ends very soon as Lee County returns to school on August 8.  The boys and I have spent a lot of time traveling and hanging out in waiting rooms.  These events wear my patience thin with the various people we encounter.  It takes a great amount of energy simply to show up somewhere with Riley that finding us easily disrespected vexes me (See April Fools in a Doctors Office or My Fragile Child).

The neurologist clinic appointment had been canceled on us and rescheduled to a later date and time without consultation.  I had asked for a time change if possible to an earlier hour and was told Riley could be seen at 8:20 am.  We arrived with moments to spare and watched three ambulatory patients arrive after us and leave before we were called.  I questioned the nurse on one of her pass through's to make sure she was aware Riley was available, she assured me she did.  At 9:20 am we were finally called back for the same nurse to take our stats.  Unhappily, I paused at the scheduling desk reminding the woman behind the computer of our allotted time.  Only then did she notice, but did not care, that we had been booked at 8:20 at the same time as another patient.  My voice raised and our Neurologist rescued her by dispensing with our stats and seeing Riley immediately.  The doctor has no fault in this and I immediately felt guilty for complaining.  Dr. Osterman has been nothing but kind, considerate and gentle with us.  However, this treatment by office staff has become all too common everywhere we go.  Do some see a child in a wheelchair and feel that child's time is somehow of less value... he will not complain, he does not have a playdate planned and mom is simply a state at home mom with no value to society.

The week continues with lots of unreturned phone calls and planning to finally schedule a Neurosurgery appointment for this coming Monday.  A CT and shunt series at a radiology office.  The dreaded Ophthalmology has been delayed until Fall.  All of it adding to the stress of going through these motions to keep all parties placated in the oversight of Riley's care.

Wednesday found us at the dental school, for both boys for teeth cleaning.  The school has been a wonderful way to care for Riley's needs.  The young dentists are undeterred by the special needs challenge and interested in his health as opposed to some of the long-term professionals we have tried in the past.  Hopefully no one is offended by my summing them up so disinterested in Riley, I spent my early years of work in my fathers' Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Office and learned the importance of respecting the patient through observing my Dad over the years.   I maintain a "cheat sheet" of important information which I have shared with every medical office Riley enters.  There are no secrets to Riley's condition.   Upon being called back for our appointment, a previously unknown Sergeant had a copy of Riley's cheat sheet up on the screen for review.  "Any changes to his condition?," she demanded.  "No, pretty much the same," was my answer.  Then I added, "he seized on Sunday."  This met with a reprimand that they must know everything right up front and she began to argue with me.  We had only just begun the conversation.  Here she was with full-disclosure right in front of her and she wants to yell at me.  She started to go down the road that he could not even be seen that day having had a recent seizure.  I was taken aback.  Perhaps special needs do not have the right to full care, it is simply too risky for medical professionals to work with them?  Maybe she does not comprehend special needs or the explanation of "seizure disorder" that I had put directly in front of her. Before the confrontation escalated, a familiar face appeared, Dr. Magher, Riley's first dentist in that office before she graduated.  She had returned to be one of the leads in the office and she was a very welcome and reassuring presence.  The Sergeants' concerns were left behind and Riley received his x-rays and cleaning which he tolerated beautifully.

Some of my frustration with all these appointments is due simply to navigating everyone we encounter.  So frequently, people block our path, quickening their step to be ahead of us or allowing children to stare to the point of causing us discomfort.  There are individuals who cross our path with consideration.  Those of you who do this, I notice and I remember  and appreciate your gesture no matter how humble.  I remember the tall and handsome twenty-something Asian man tripping over his own feet when Ronan reached the door of McDonald's off Daniels before him.  He could not help, but the intention is enough for me.  I remember the sixty-something gentleman passing by during the wheelchair unloading at NDIC asking how he could assist, this is a procedure that is difficult to explain, but the desire to help warmed my heart.  Those small moments are few and far between, but they stay with me.

Robert, Burt, Heidi and Pick A Spot bring Riley around to pose for the camera.

Ronan waits patiently.  Note: both boys have added to their tie dye collection.

Thursday brought us back to Naples Equestrian Challenge for Riley's lesson.  Currently, there are plenty of volunteers, likely this is thanks to the high-schooler's fitting in their community service hours over the summer which gave me the chance to snap some shots of Riley aboard Pick A Spot.

 Taking a moment from the barn, volunteers rest in the sliver of shade. July 28, 2011 4:30 pm.

 

Better go now and do some more planning.

Anyone else out there have appointment stories to share? I thank you for stopping by.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

NEC Horse Show #2

It has been a very full week.  Yesterday was a wonderful today with so many birthday wishes, facebook is so much fun with all the attention on birthday's.  Finished up the day collecting Riley from Camp Sunshine at Karl J. Drews then onto his horseback riding class at Naples Equestrian Challenge.  His instructor for the summer, Miss Robin, conducted an end of class song from all the families and volunteers present to sing "Happy Birthday" for me.  We headed off home, worrying car problems, but we'll think about that tomorrow.  Chinese for dinner, our usual choice for celebrations.

Below Riley returns from the ring a little hot and tired.

Ronan had his last day of riding camp, it is an integrated program for special needs and typically developing riders.  I watched his second horseshow of the summer and took lots of pictures as instructed to share with Daddy.

Another camper receives his trophy!

Nick gets a cleanup before the day is over.

Then we headed out to visit Miss Rebekah and her family for a playdate.  Then up north again to collect Riley and by then we had all had it.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll plan a real post, but I enjoyed sharing the experience in pictures for a change.

Please visit another blogger, Stress Relief for Caregives, she loves horseback therapy too!

by Stacie Wiesenbaugh