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Testimonials
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A message from Tim Greene, MGH Arena Coordinator,
Health & Clinical Services:

“Welcome to the MGH web site.  Every day the Marianna 
Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program impacts the lives  
of the disabled children at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and 
Blind by allowing them to experience the joy of riding horses  
not just for recreation, but for therapeutic challenges, 
confidence, physical strength and pride.  Hippotherapy  
(physical therapy on horseback) can accelerate students’ accomplishments that would normally take months in  
traditional physical or occupational therapy. 
The horse motivates riders to use their hands, legs and voice in 
ways they’ve never done before.  Children who are deaf learn 
to balance better.  Children who are blind learn good posture, 
which strengthens their muscles to help them hold their heads 
up.  Children with Cerebal Palsy break their tendency to bend 
their legs inward because they’re forced to stretch their 
muscles outward to stay atop the horse.  But often more 
important than the physical accomplishments is that riding 
horses increases a sense of self worth and self-esteem. 

It seems as though it was just yesterday that we had started a 
pilot program in the side yard of a farm with only 8 students 
from the Helen Keller School.  Now, we are the largest center 
in the country serving the Deaf, Blind and multi-disabled students from all 4 campuses of AIDB.  We are also proud to be a Premier Accredited Center with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) serving literally hundreds of students.  Our professional staff of NARHA Registered Instructors, management and coordination teams, equine professionals, 
Physical and Occupational Therapist and a slew of volunteers 
are not only dedicated in their jobs, but in their hearts as well.  
This can be seen from the reactions of the students while on the horse, to the dramatic results long after dismount, knowing they 
are on their way to a healthier, more productive, happier life. 

Personally, I do not see working at the MGH Arena as a job, I see 
it as a privilege.” 

A very fitting quote for AIDB and the MGH Arena is one mentioned 
by Dr. Terry Graham, President of AIDB, “At AIDB we focus on our students abilities rather than their disabilities.”
 
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 Thanks to the Marianna Greene Henry Staff 
By Erica Fleming 
My name is Erica Fleming.  I am 21 years old and use crutches.  I am a student at E.H. Gentry/AIDB and I like it because I have more opportunities than I had when I was in High School.  For example, riding horses at the Marianna Greene Henry Arena.  When I first started going to the arena, I was scared to get on a horse so I would ride in a cart.  Ms. Gwen would always encourage me to get on the horse, so one day I told her that I wanted to get on the horse.  But I was still scared a little bit, so she stood there right beside me until I felt comfortable. Now I have been riding horses for one year, and I can ride Mia all by myself.  Ms. Gwen and Ms. Elizabeth showed me how to do 2-point, trot and how to take control of Mia.  I am really good at riding horses because they encourage me to have faith in myself.  And because of that, I was the STAR STUDENT of the month at the MGH Arena.  I won many ribbons in a horse show in Montgomery, Alabama.  I really enjoy going to the MGH Arena and being around all of the staff.  I would like to thank the MGH staff (Gwen, Elizabeth, Tim, Carolyn & Greg) for being very caring and supportive of me.  I would like to let the staff know that I have really come a long way because of them having faith in me and helping me to have faith in myself. 
  
  

Volunteering at the MGH Arena 
By Erin Lewis 

   Hello to all!  I have had something exciting happen this month and I would love to share it with you.  First of all, let me thank the Lord for all He has done for me.  He has given me so many opportunities to give a helping hand where it is needed.  As some of you know, here in Talladega we have the AIDB (Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind).  A part of this school is the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Center (MGH). This facility is used with the help of horses, to aid children with C.P., blindness, deafness, and other disorders. 
   Let me start from the beginning.  Often we would drive by the arena and I would hope one day that I could be a part.  A full year passed and I was still hoping.  On March 11th, my younger sister Olivia and I were in the schoolroom.  Mom was on the phone.  Mom came in and with a smile said, “Erin, go get your work shoes on, I am taking you to the arena.” 
   With just those few words, my heart filled with joy as I raced up to the house.  I put my shoes on and before I could catch my breath we were on the way.  I was happy and nervous at the same time.  When we got there we walked to the lady in charge and filled out a form.  Then she showed me around the arena and stables.  She told me what my responsibilities would be and what I would do.  I would start the next day! 
   The next morning I was so excited.  I got my work clothes on and put on my work shoes.  I ran outside and did all my chores.  Then we were on the way to my first volunteer job. 
   The first thing I did was get the horses fed, groomed, haltered and saddled.  At 9:00 the first class of children came.  They were in kindergarten, I think.  I have to admit I was pretty nervous.  Two of the children were in wheelchairs, two could walk and the other one had to be held.  I didn’t know what to do.  Then one of the ladies came to my rescue.  She told me exactly what to do.  My job was to hold on to the child and make sure that he/she didn’t fall.  That went by very smoothly. 
   At 11:00 the second class arrived.  We put all these kids on horses and took them outside.  They enjoyed that very much.  That class went by well too.  After both classes were over, I took off all the tack the horses had on and then let them to the pasture.  That was the end of my first day. 
   I have been going for several weeks now.  It is a wonderful experience.  Every time one of those children smiles at me, it is like the Lord Himself smiling at me. 

God Loves You