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Horses expand the world of Paralympic equestrian
From Correspondent Rhonda Rowland
August 24, 1996
Web posted at: 11:50 p.m. EDTCONYERS, Georgia (CNN) -- Imagine losing the use of your legs for no apparent reason. It happened to Lauren McDevitt. But instead of giving up, she is giving her all to her Paralympic sport -- horseback riding.
McDevitt is living her dream representing the United States at the 1996 Paralympic Games.
"This is the top. This is as high as it goes," she said. "And to be competing internationally with the top riders in the world, is a huge thing."
McDevitt's love of horses grew soon after she mysteriously lost the use of her legs at age 10.
"It's kind of an unusual circumstance in that there was no injury; there was no accident. I was at school and my thighs started to cramp," she explained.
In the approximately 30 minutes that followed, Lauren lost all feeling and motor function from the waist down. The diagnosis: transverse myelitis, a catch-all term for unexplained paralysis. To help her regain balance and strength, Lauren became involved in horse therapy.
As she was enjoying the physical benefits, she cleared a psychological hurdle.
"I don't feel like I have a disability on the horse at all," she said. "People don't know I have a disability until I get off into my wheelchair."
McDevitt had another goal. She wanted to compete, but at the time, equestrian competitions were only among able-bodied riders. When she said she wanted to be in a show, she said "jaws hit the floor." Then her family and friends rallied around.
Lauren's event is dressage, where riders communicate with the horse using body movement.
"Obviously, I cannot communicate with my legs and that's usually how it's done. I communicate with my seat, my positioning, some with my hands," she said.
Now the big moment is about to arrive -- the first of three competitions.
"Lauren wants to be known as a competent equestrian," said her father, Michael McDevitt. "She doesn't want to be known as an outstanding equestrian with a disability."
Lauren McDevitt says she's the same person she was before her disability. She doesn't need her legs to live her life, but her horse allows her some experiences she'd otherwise be unable to have.
"I can't go run through the fields, and I can't go run around a ring or walk through the forest, so in that sense (the horse's legs) are my legs. Their legs allow me to run through a field and hike through a forest."
Related sites:
- Cure Paralysis Now Organization
- The Arc - ADA Activities
- The Association for Horsemanship Safety and Education
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