The Healing Horse, Ch. 40: The Red Barn

Welcome to Chapter 40, The Red Barn. Have you wondered how little Karen’s life would play out when she stopped being little girl Karen and became young lady Karen? First, she earned her driver’s license. Meanwhile, the world whirled on. But she stayed centered in her heart, guided by her spirit. In the story, her heart is represented by Pegasus the magical horse. In reality, it was me being true to myself. It was me, and I am still me.

Remember, if I can do it, you can do it, too! Love yourself. Accept yourself. You are lovely, and I accept everything about you.

On to the next chapter! Stay with me!

[Image of MacBird performance by Steve Lang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 1: Growing Up Fast

Karen’s high school years passed, hairstyles changed, and hemlines rose. Lyndon Baines Johnson continued as President, and R. Crumb became the greatest living cartoonist, while MacBird! became a popular play, and the Viet Nam War raged. Twiggy, with her painted-on eyelashes, became the leading fashion model.

Karen grew from being sweetly naïve into a sophisticated young woman of the world. She was not afraid of being a normal person. Karen allowed nothing and no one to impede her. She felt good about herself. No one could take away her confidence and self-worth. She built her character and worked hard on this throughout the years. She was levelheaded, and so could confidently take on new, mature matters by herself and reap the rewards of her growing independence.

Mama was ecstatic that her disabled daughter was blossoming into a young woman who not only expressed her joie de vivre through dance and horseback riding, but who shared it with students. Karen dedicated every moment to becoming the strongest and smartest person she could be. She wanted to give back. She became the change she wanted to see in the world.

She not only studied with Gilberto. She taught at his studio. And she taught disability horseback riding for Joshua. He wanted to pay her, but she refused. Gilberto paid her, and she donated her earnings to help Joshua turn his disability horse ranch into a proper business.

However, she needed more space than when she was a child. Gilberto’s studio was too busy for her to use for practice. Besides, along with teaching classes for him, she had taken on several disabled children as students, and she needed a studio to teach them. Her bedroom was too small. There was hardly room to practice spot turns without bumping into the bed or chest of drawers, much less teach kids to dance. She tried using the living room, but it was not much better. Finding an ample, peaceful space for practice and teaching became Karen’s primary goal.

One Saturday morning, over their usual breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and lox, Mama said, “My Krana Layala, we have to find you a proper studio to dance. You’re going to hurt yourself trying to use your bedroom. You’re too grown up now. Nevermind those kids you teach. It’s too small even for them!”

“But Mama, I asked Gilberto, and he says finding studio space is nearly impossible. There isn’t enough to go around.”

“You just let your Mama do her magic. Didn’t I find you a stable for Pegasus? Didn’t I find you Miss Natalie, for your math? And didn’t I find you Gilberto for your dancing? I’ll use the phone book and the classifieds, along with my natural intuition. I’m sure I’ll find something for my girl.”

Karen left to spend the morning with Pegasus as Mama sat down at her desk with the yellow pages and the newspaper.

When Karen got back, they ate lunch. Karen changed into a leotard and tights with a light purple striped dress that had a bow in back over them. They jumped into Mama’s car and drove into town. Mama had found four places that rented out studio space by the hour. Unfortunately, the first two were dirty. The third was clean but fully booked during after-school hours. A rude man who operated the fourth scoffed at Karen for having a handicap.

They drove home, and Mama called some friends. No one knew of any spaces.

She hung up the phone and said, “Oy vey! My Krana Layala. This is tough, but I don’t give up. We’ve done enough for today, but I’ll keep trying next week.”

Karen looked into her heart before replying. “Thanks for being my Mama and understanding, but you’ve done so much for me my whole life. I need to think this through for myself. I need to go into our garden, amongst our serene oases and listen to my intuition. I need to listen to my most beautiful and powerful self before talking with Pegasus. I feel that now, from the direction Pegasus, Mama, and Gilberto have given me, I can make my own now. I will begin to rely on and trust the answers that are within me. As a young woman of twenty, I feel I can turn to myself and the choices I make. I will become emotionally stronger and I will become more self-sufficient and reliant.”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 7: The Stop

A magical, spiritual influence has always run through my life. In this scene, I express my thanks. And it ends with me becoming a real California driving girl and listening to Simon & Garfunkel while I drive.

Scene 7: The Stop

Driving up the long road to their Topanga Canyon bungalow brought back memories to Karen. She gripped the wheel of the big Chevy and maneuvered it through the heavy traffic, but in her heart she dwelt upon Pegasus and all he had done for her, all he had given and sacrificed for her, over the years. Like Gil, he always stood by her. He always stood by her side and gave her the wisdom to cope.

She glanced at Mama. “Do you mind if we make a stop on the way home? You know where.”

Mama smiled. “I think that would be very appropriate.”

Karen drove past their home and on to Tex’s ranch. Pegasus was waiting for her. He stood in the pasture next to the parking lot, and when she opened the Chevy’s door and stepped out from the driver’s side, he neighed. That said it all.

“Hi boy,” she said, as she always did.

He grinned. “You did it, didn’t you, Kitten? You got yourself a driver’s license. Do you still need me?”

Karen nodded. “I will always need you in my life, boy. I got my license, but you will always be the one who brought me from being less than myself to becoming my true self, and riding on you will always transport my soul.”

He smiled and let her return to her thoughts.

Oh, how accomplished and proud she felt! Once again, she had proved to herself that she could do anything she set her mind to.

From then on, she drove the streets of LA, the Valley, Westwood Boulevard, and Santa Monica—wherever her heart desired—while listening to Simon and Garfunkel on K-EARTH, blasting on the radio, with the windows rolled down, and the beautiful California breeze blowing through her hair.

As she drove, she improved her skills. She found she could slide her right hand across the steering wheel to trip the turn signal. Her left arm grew stronger and straighter by reaching, extending, and stretching as she drove. Truly, just as she mastered dance and horseback riding, she became a Southern California driving girl.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 6: The Test

You probably know how this scene will turn out. Karen is on a roll and scores another victory for her increasing independence. Hooray!

[Image by Atlantic Training CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 6: The Test

Over the summer, Karen completed her Driver’s Ed course and practiced driving every chance she had. Mama felt so confident in her daughter’s abilities that she had Karen drive whenever she needed to run an errand. So, driving the two of them from Topanga Canyon to Culver City was fairly routine for Karen. What was not routine was driving to the DMV to take her driver’s license test.

As she drove, her mind churned about the written test. She knew she could pass the driving part, but was not sure about memorizing the questions in the pamphlet. After a few minutes of letting her imagination forecast failure, she took a deep breath. I can do this. I know the laws about driving, and even if I have to take extra time, I can pass the written test. With this affirmation, her mind stilled, and she breezed through both the written exam and the driving test.

The short, chubby DMV clerk behind the counter pushed her curly brown hair out of her eyes, then smiled at Karen and said, “Here’s your temporary license. The permanent one will come by mail in about a month.” She slid Karen’s license over to her. For her, it was just another license. For Karen, it was a license to freedom. Karen picked it up, and her heart swelled. Beside her, Mama gasped.

Karen said, “Thank you,” but in her mind, she said much more. I did it! I knew I could pass the driving test, but I aced the written one, too.

Mama threw her arms around Karen. “Mazel tov! My Krana Layala. You did it. You can drive, now. I always knew you could do this, but now it’s official.”

They hugged for a moment, then Karen brushed the tears of joy off her mother’s cheeks. “Come on, Mama, we’re holding up the line. Let’s go outside.”

She led her mother out through the plate glass door and onto the sidewalk. “Mama, you’re more excited than I am.”

Mama blinked back more tears of joy and dug into her purse. “You’d better put that license into your wallet, my Krana Layala. And here’s something to go with it.”

She lifted a sparkling silver key and dangled it in front of Karen’s eyes. Karen held out her hand, and Mama gently placed the key in her palm. It was attached to a key fob.

“Oh, Mama.” Now it was Karen’s turn to tear up. She held up the fob. “It’s a lavender flying horse. It’s Pegasus.”

“I knew you would pass the tests, but without him, none of this could ever have happened.”

Karen wrapped her arms around Mama and held her close. They hugged, sharing the joy of victory. After a few minutes, they stepped back, still smiling.

Karen raised her eyebrows and grinned. “May I offer you a ride home?”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 5: Driving

Scene 5 continues the saga of learning to drive—with a near-disaster! Why the YouTube of a transit bus? Read on…

Scene 5: Driving

At last, the day came. Karen had her learner’s permit, and she was ready to drive.

Mr. Dominguez led her and her three classmates out of the classroom into the hot California summer sun. There, parked in front of the school, was the car. It was a new Plymouth Fury, a beautiful white four-door sedan with a V-8 under the hood and an automatic transmission. It had power everything—brakes, windows, and steering. The gray steering nob bolted to the wheel at twelve o’clock was just like the simulator. This car was exactly what she needed, and she felt it, deeply, as she opened the driver’s door and snuggled into the hot, muted gold upholstery of the driver’s seat. She inhaled. Even the hot vinyl smelled good. This was her Driver’s Ed car. The tension in her stomach went away. Learning to drive was a gigantic step toward independence. She had found the courage to sign up for the class. Now, her heart swelled with the courage to drive.

Karen’s three classmates crammed into the back seat. Mr. Dominguez opened the front passenger door and slid in. He looked around and said, “Down here by my feet, I have a brake pedal I can use if there’s an emergency and Karen doesn’t react fast enough. That’s for safety, but I hardly ever have to use it. Now, what’s the first thing you do when you get in a car?”

“Fasten your seatbelt.” Karen and the kids in back all said at once, and four seatbelts clicked shut.

“What’s next?”

“Start the engine.” They all said it together and laughed.

Karen swallowed hard and reached for the ignition key. She felt Mr. Dominguez and the other kids watching her strong right hand as she turned the key and the engine roared into life. She had done it. “Now I check my rearview mirror and look all around before putting the car into drive, right?”

Mr. Dominguez said, “You know the steps, Karen. Do them in order, and everything will be all right.”

Karen checked the mirror and looked around. She put her strong right foot on the brake pedal and pulled the transmission lever on the steering column into drive. She released the parking brake and eased off on the brake pedal. The big car rolled forward. Mr. Dominguez had her practice driving around the school parking lot, using the turn signals, backing and driving forward, and parallel parking.

After a few minutes, he said, “You’ve got it, Karen. Let’s see how you do in traffic. Do you feel ready?”

“Yes, sir! I am ready.”

He grinned at her and said, “Turn left when we get to Grand Avenue. It’s not busy this time of day, so just take it easy and let yourself get a feel for driving.”

Karen let the car idle across the lot to the stop sign at the end of the school driveway. She looked both ways. No cars. Nobody on foot. Nobody on a bicycle. She pushed the turn signal lever down with her left hand and began her turn. In a few seconds, she was out on the road and driving thirty-five miles per hour with the traffic flow.

She drove with ease and confidence. After the many weeks in the simulator, she had now taken the wheel of a real car.

After three or four miles, they were heading toward downtown. Suddenly, a big orange and white transit bus pulled out from the curb, right in front of her. No signal. No warning. She slammed on the brakes so fast that Mr. Dominguez did not have time to use his emergency brake pedal. The other students shrieked in terror, and Mr. Dominguez grasped his chest.

“Are you okay, sir?” Karen asked.

“Yes. I’m fine. I have a heart condition, but I’ll be all right. That bus could’ve killed us all. Your fast reflexes saved our lives.”

He raised his voice and said, “This is a good example of how dangerous driving can be. It’s a combat situation. Drive defensively, like Karen. Then you will be safe. Now, who wants to drive next?”

The car was silent. Karen glanced in the rear-view mirror at her classmates. They burst into giddy laughter. One of the boys said, “Can this just be Karen’s lesson? She’s doing a great job, and I’d kinda like to wait until tomorrow.”

Karen took a deep breath, and her heart expanded with gratitude and pride. She loved driving.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 4: The Learner’s Permit

Image of interior of Culver City DMV

Young Karen continues her string of victories when she goes to the DMV and walks out with? Her Learner’s Permit!

[Image from https://www.yelp.com/biz/culver-city-dmv-los-angeles. Looks like this DMV office still gets good reviews.]

Scene 4: The Learner’s Permit

Session after session, she worked on her driving skills that summer. When it was not her turn to use the simulator, she sat in the classroom and watched films about defensive driving and studied the driver’s manual, if Mr. Dominguez were not lecturing, that day.

As she practiced in the simulator, she learned to use her left hand to operate the turn signal. For the headlights and other controls, she used her right hand. Using her left was spontaneous and spiritual as her body responded to her need to use it.

After passing the classroom written examinations and meeting all the school standards on the simulator, Karen at last sat peacefully in her mother’s 1964 Chevy Malibu Super Sport as Mama navigated the roads between Topanga Canyon and the nearest California DMV office, the one in Culver City.

Mama reached her right hand across to Karen’s beautiful disabled left hand. “I am so proud of you. Look what you’re accomplishing. You’ve proved to me you can do everything you put your mind towards doing. I apologize if I ever doubted you, my sweet daughter.”

A knot of emotion released from Kitten’s center. She lifted her left arm and reached back toward Mama’s hand, gripping it and beaming with an inner feeling of love.

Another few miles and they were almost there. It was a clear, crisp day, and the weather was perfect in Southern California.

Mama parked in the DMV lot, and for a moment, feelings overwhelmed Karen. She thought to herself, Kitten, you can do this. You can pass this test. You are fearless—do this thing that you fear the most. Know that you are safe. Just believe in yourself. Now, walk through your fear and through the DMV door.

Karen got out of the car and took the lead. Mama followed her. Karen opened the plate glass door and took a number from the machine. She and Mama were number 213, and the current number was only 198.

The room was not full. There were lots of places to sit, but none where two people could sit together. While sitting down in a chair away from her mama, Kitten gazed at the number machine, repeating her affirmations. Steadily, she thoughtfully contemplated them to reinforce and fortify her positive beliefs about herself.

When her number came, she thought it was not her. But it was her. Number 213, and she aced the test.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 3: The Simulator

In the 1960s, schools used a simulator so students could practice reacting to situations they might encounter while driving. This was like a tiny car with a movie screen in front of it. The movie would show things like trucks pulling out in front of the car or a train suddenly roaring by. This sounds difficult, but it was actually a lot of fun. And it helped prepare me for the real thing.

Too bad this one has already been sold. You could’ve bought it for your living room (just kidding).

[Image from https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/Vintage-drivers-education-driving-simulator-196959]

Scene 3: The Simulator

It was now the warmest season of the year, when the sun blazed and children giggled, swam, and played, all while eating hot dogs and ice cream on a stick. It was the first Monday after school got out for the summer.

Her Driver’s Ed class would start this morning. Karen arrived early. Mama had signed the permission slip. Karen had it in her purse, not in her binder. Her binder was for ordinary school work. The precious permission slip belonged in safe keeping with her wallet and other valuables.

A large travel trailer converted for classroom use had been moved near the front entrance of the school, where the buses usually sat.

She took the front row center seat so she would not miss a word the teacher said and unfolded the permission slip so she would have it ready when he asked for it. A few minutes before eight, Mr. Dominguez arrived. He was going to teach the class personally. He complemented her on being early and then settled in behind the big desk in the front of the classroom. The other three students arrived promptly at eight and sat in a row beside her.

After he collected their permission slips, he gave each student a copy of the official California Driver’s Handbook and the California Vehicle Code Summary for them to study.

“Now, it’s time for one of you to try the driving simulator. Who wants to go first?”

She looked beside her at the other students. No one moved, so she followed her intuition and raised her strong right hand. “Me! Karen!”

Mr. Dominguez said, “I had a feeling it would be you, so let’s go to the simulator trailer. You other students can begin reading your driver’s manuals. I’ll be back as soon as I get Karen started.”

She followed Mr. Dominguez down the steps of the classroom trailer and back up more steps into the converted travel trailer that was next door and held the driving simulator. A smile quietly quivered on her lips. This trailer was a twenty-footer, not big enough for classrooms, but big enough for the simulator.

The simulator looked like one of the miniature cars on a Disneyland ride. It had a steering wheel, a gas pedal, a brake pedal, a turn signal lever, and a dashboard. The wheel also had a steering knob bolted to it at twelve o’clock, so she could steer using only her strong right hand. She worked it, the gas, and the brakes with her right foot and hand. For the turn signals, she learned to use her left hand. A movie screen in front of the car showed a film of driving situations, and she responded to them by using the controls. Again, her mouth curved into a smile.

Mr. Dominguez looked on as she practiced through frame after frame of the Driver’s Ed movie. She smiled back at him, when he smiled as she corrected herself whenever she went over a line or swerved too far. After he saw she was getting the hang of it, he went back to the classroom and left her to perfect her technique on her own. Kitten tilted her head with pride. She was blown away by her ability to acquire these driving techniques.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39, Scene 2: Mama Reacts

photo of green salad

Scene 2 continues young Karen’s pursuit of a driver’s license as she discusses what it means with Mama.

[Image by Shijan Kaakkara, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 2: Mama Reacts

The bus stopped in front of Karen’s house, and she easily hopped down the steps to the ground while remembering how difficult this used to be. She thought about the two sheets of paper tucked into her binder with the rest of her school stuff. Somehow, she would find a way to discuss the subject with Mama.

After she visited Pegasus, she walked back home and helped prepare dinner.

Mama broiled chicken and baked potatoes to go with Karen’s green salad. Together, they carried the food to the table and sat down. It smelled wonderful.

Karen swallowed a bite of food, then said, “Mama, something happened at school today that I’d like to discuss with you—a genuine opportunity presented itself for me to become more independent.”

“That’s wonderful, my girl,” Mama replied. “How do you want to become more independent?”

At that moment, Karen remembered, I can’t be afraid of talking to my own Mama for her consent to learn how to drive. I don’t have time to beat around the bush. I just have to say it.

Karen paused. She had discovered the opportunity.

“Well, Krana Layala?” Mama asked.

Karen’s eyes lingered. She looked down before giving more detail.

“Well, Mama, I think I could do more for myself and not be such a burden for you to take care of.”

Karen got shy again and crossed her arms. She felt defensive about this conversation. It was most difficult, but she did it with a spirit as if she were facing danger. She never ever told Mama these feelings before.

“Oh, honey. You have never been a duty or a burden to me! Where did you get that from?”

“Well, I know how much energy you put forth. Every day you wake up early to feed me, tie my shoes, zip up my dresses, do my pretty ponytails, wash and starch my clothes, and take me to and from dance, swim, and tutoring sessions. That’s how you show me how much you love me! You have even returned to school to bring me homework assignments when I forgot them.”

Mama Katie smiled. “What did grandma put me here on earth for?”

Karen beamed. “What”

“You are my light and joy. What you were named after, Krana Layala.” Mama said.

“Do you really mean that?” Kitten asked.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, honey. I love you with all my heart. You should know your mama by now.” Mama smiled wisely.

Karen felt relieved. Her sense of assuredness came back in full force. “I’m sixteen, Mama, and I’d like to learn how to drive. Would that be all right with you?

Mama took a deep breath.

“That’s my Krana Layala. That’s my independent girl. This will not be easy. I remember when Grandpa taught me to drive, so I didn’t have to ride the bus with diaper bags and satchels in one hand and you in the other. Nothing you have done has ever been easy. But I am so proud of you and your determination to conquer all, including getting this license. After you get your driver’s license, you can take your dear old Mama to Ohrbach’s on a shopping spree.”

They both broke out giggling.

Karen watched as her mother’s eyes crinkled with delight. Mama looked up, directly into Karen’s eyes.

“My precious Krana Layala, I’ve always known the day would come, and honestly, the thought scared me. But I also knew that I would have to let you spread your wings, grow up, and follow your own dreams. I will not stand in your way anymore, my darling. That isn’t fair to either of us. I learned my lesson long ago when you firmly spoke up to me about preparing dinner like an equal. You showed me how you put your attention and mind into your actions.”

Sharing in this way connected and bonded them more deeply than ever before. They enfolded each other in their arms and kissed and held their embrace with new praise for and celebration of each other.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 39: The Driver’s License, Scene 1: The Invitation

This chapter tells the story of one of the most important events in a teenager’s life—getting the driver’s license.

[Photo of Joseph Pomeroy Widney as President of USC (1892 – 1895) courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 1: The Invitation (Friday, June 2nd, 1967)

In early June 1967, Karen was almost sixteen and a half and finishing her second year at Joseph Pomeroy Widney High. Widney was behind the LA Trade-Technical College and the old Orthopedic Hospital, before it specialized in children. In those days, Widney was for teenagers whose disabilities were physical. Now it serves only students with intellectual delays.

During her last class, on the last Friday of the school year, Karen tuned out the classroom sounds and daydreamed about getting a driver’s license and a car of her own. She would drive back and forth to Gil’s independently, like some of her friends. Some drove in their leotards, and so would she. She sighed. It seemed like a distant goal, but she knew if she believed in herself, it was possible. And she did. She believed in herself. Her fearlessness outweighed her fear. She might not pass the driving test. Her learning disability might make the written test too hard. She had discussed this with Pegasus and Mama. Pegasus thought she should follow her fundamental essence. Mama was not so sure because this meant her baby was growing up.

The bell rang, and she said goodbye to the teacher and left the classroom with the other students. She was conscious of how strong her stance had become, of how sure-footed she was, and how imperceptible was her limp. Over the past two years, every aspect of her physical and emotional existence had developed into a powerful, sure-footed physique, and a calm, focused mind.

As she walked toward the school bus home, a teacher she did not know hurried up to her. He was short, with an olive complexion, neatly trimmed black hair, and a big mustache that matched his hair.

He said, “Excuse me. Are you Karen Hearshstein?”

“Yes?”

“Karen, I’m Mr. Dominguez, the lead teacher for the Driver’s Ed Program. Would you like to learn to drive this summer?”

She grinned and fanned herself with her right hand. The teacher appearing just when she was thinking about driving. The universe answering her. “I was just thinking about that. I’d love to.”

“You will get classroom instruction and learn the basics using simulators here at school. When you’re ready, you will get your learner’s permit and practice in an actual car. By the end of the summer, you should have your driver’s license. Some of your classmates have already signed up. It will be lots of fun, if you’re willing to try it.”

“Yes, of course. You don’t have to ask twice. When do I start?”

“Monday morning. Get a parent or legal guardian to sign this permission slip and bring it with you.” He handed her a piece of paper. “And here’s the class schedule. You know where the classroom is?”

“Yes. Sometimes I peek in and watch the students on the simulators.”

He grinned at her eagerness. “You are going to do great. Welcome to Driver’s Ed.”

Karen watched him hurry away and felt her heart pulsating. This would bring a whole additional dimension to her life. She would run her own errands, help mama out, and be more independent. She would be more like a person without a disability.

She climbed the bus steps and settled into a seat. Amazing. This will release me from Mama’s apron strings. If I can get her to say yes.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 38, Scene 5: This New Beginning

photo of pine trees in Ciherrang

This scene concludes a chapter on a happy note. Young Karen receives confirmation from her spiritual mentor that she is becoming a teacher and preparing the next generation of people with disabilities to change the world for the better.

[Image by Thufailah Mumtazah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 5: This New Beginning

Joshua led Daisy back to the barn, and Karen watched the blue station wagon bump back down the drive to the road. It sped away, and she began her walk home. As she passed a big apple tree, a familiar neigh rang in the morning air.

“Pegasus, what are you doing here?”

“The apples are much better here, but they’re out of season.” His ears flickered. He and Karen laughed. “I had to see my Kitten teach.”

“I’m so glad you did. And now you can give me a ride home.”

“Your wish is my command.”

Pegasus kneeled and she scrambled onto his back. He walked, and she stroked his face.

“I feel so confident today, boy. I can do anything I put my mind to.”

“Yes, and you demonstrated this in your outer life by your bold actions and affirmations. Thus, the universe reciprocated.”

Karen inhaled the sweet scent of pine and looked up through the branches at the limitless sky. “You’re right Pegasus. Every day, I give thanks for the blessings the universe bestowed upon me. For you, for Gilberto, and for Joshua. You are my teachers. So much has happened since Joshua lifted a frightened little girl onto your back at the carousel.”

Pegasus said, “Dance helps you soar beyond your disabilities. Horseback riding helps you rise to higher levels of physical endurance and strength of mind. Teaching riding will help you connect with more people by sharing with them. The disabled children you teach will play an important role in the world. They will draw strength from you and Joshua’s boundless energy and example. And they will transform the world.”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 38, Scene 4: The Riding Lesson

photo of straw cowboy hat

Young Karen loves dance, and she loves horses. Now, she shares her love of horses by teaching a boy how to gain confidence by overcoming his fears.

[Image by Ealdgyth, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Scene 4: The Riding Lesson

A few minutes later, Karen and Joshua finished saddling and feeding the horses. The crunch of car tires on gravel broke the silence.

Karen ran to the door. A shiny blue Buick station wagon was bumping its way up the rutted drive from the pavement to the barn, with a cloud of dust floating behind it. Karen followed Joshua toward it.

Joshua waved, and the car stopped. A tall, slender man got out of the driver’s side door. His long-sleeved plaid, western-style shirt with pearl snaps looked brand new. So did his Levis and shiny cowboy boots. He clomped a straw cowboy hat on top of his bald head and nodded. The other front door opened, and a tall woman dressed in similar new cowboy duds climbed out.

“Morning, doctors!” said Joshua. “I’m prouder ’n a peacock to have your son here at the ranch. Today, Tim gets a private lesson. After he gets the hang of riding, we will add him to a class to help his socialization. But he’s never been on a horse before, so I want to focus on him today.”

The doctors waved at someone in the vehicle—Karen knew it must be Tim—and then walked the few steps to the corral. Karen noticed they left the motor running and knew it must be for the air conditioning. The air was cool, but the sun was hot, and they did not want their son to swelter in the parked car.

Karen kept silent while the adults discussed Tim and his needs. She knew Joshua had met with the parents the week before, and they had a general plan of therapy for their son. They talked a lot about increasing his self-confidence and giving him the feeling of being in charge of the horse. Karen recalled her first rides on Pegasus and the joy she felt at communicating with him and making a genuine friend. She had not been interested in controlling him or being in charge of anything but her own life, but then her disabilities were much lighter than Tim’s. She brought her mind back to the conversation and reminded herself that she was here for Tim, not for herself.

Joshua suggested they begin by getting Tim up onto the most gentle horse he had. He pointed to an aged mare, a bay with a gentle disposition. He explained he had a special saddle with straps that would help Tim keep his balance, since his legs were both paralyzed. Karen would walk beside the horse while Tim rode. When he felt confident enough, she would hand him the reins.

“And folks,” Joshua concluded. “Don’t be surprised if this takes several sessions. Bein’ up on a horse, having to balance on a moving animal when you have only your hands to work with, ain’t gonna be no roll in the hay. We have to take it slow. We may have some goals of self-confidence in mind for Tim, but he’s likely gonna be struggling to survive this first ride, at least in his own mind.”

The parents both looked uncomfortable. The father forced a smile, but sweat ran from under his hat. His red face was full of the lines of kindness and worry. The mother’s face looked as if it had been set in sadness for many years. She had pretty reddish brown hair under her red western bandana, and her figure was slender and fit, but her green eyes were full of the same guilt as Mama’s.

Joshua said, “We’ve been palaverin’ for a few minutes. Why don’t we get Tim out here so he can join us?”

Karen trailed behind as the adults walked to the station wagon. She had butterflies fluttering in her stomach about giving her first lesson, even though she knew Joshua would be with her every step of the way. For a moment, she paled, and her body turned cold and trembled. Knowing that Tim was older than her and super-intelligent made her apprehensive. She thought Joshua would have her teach small children, not boys who were almost grown up.

Joshua and Karen stood back as the two parents helped their son out of the back seat and into his wheelchair. Tim did not need much help getting from the car to the chair. He put one hand on each arm of the chair. Then, using his upper body strength, he lifted himself into the seat and dragged his legs into position. Karen had never seen anyone do this. Even sitting down, he was as tall as Karen was standing up. He would be taller than his father, if he could stand. He had the same reddish brown hair, and brown eyes, but his hair was thick and curly, and his eyes held a sadness, a sadness that he might never become independent. And the frown that clouded his face reflected his mother’s.

His father introduced him to Joshua and Karen. Tim spoke with a long stutter, but managed to say hello, and he was glad to meet them. Joshua explained that Karen was disabled but had been riding for years and was certified to teach. He added that Tim would be her first student.

When he said that, Tim grimaced and said, “You-you-you mean this girl is going to teach me?”

Joshua said, “Yes. Karen is one of the kindest and most intelligent people I have ever met. She will be a great teacher.”

Tim and his parents glared, but said nothing. Karen beamed. Joshua led them back to the corral, and Karen was amazed that Tim could push his own wheelchair up the dirt road and through the gravel. At the corral, Joshua pointed out the horse he thought Tim should start on.

“This is Daisy. She’s almost as kind as Karen, but not so smart.”

Everyone laughed, even Tim. He looked up at Daisy and raised his eyebrows.

“How am I going to get up on her?”

Joshua laughed. “For that, we have a miracle of modern engineering!” He pointed toward the barn. The crane he used to lift hay bales from the ground up into the barn attic, projected out the front of the barn. He had replaced the heavy iron hook they used to life bales with a contraption of metal bars and straps similar to the ones in a medical hoist.

Joshua had Karen lead Daisy out of the corral and into position in front of the barn. Then he and Karen tugged the straps under Tim’s legs, which was easy to do since Tim lifted his body by pushing down on the wheelchair arms, and Joshua sent Karen up into the barn to operate the winch.

In a few minutes, Tim was on the horse, grasping the pommel with both hands as he struggled to keep his balance.

“Whoa, Daisy,” said Joshua. “Whoa, girl. Stay where you are.”

Joshua explained that as Tim became accustomed to riding, his body would naturally learn to keep its balance. He had seen this with other paraplegic riders. It always took a little time, so the main thing was to give him the help he needed without overdoing it.

“Now, I want Karen to lead Daisy very slowly while Tim’s parents walk along, one on each side. Tim’s very strong in his upper body, so I don’t think he’s in any danger of falling, but if he starts to slide, then his parents and I can help him.”

Karen looked up at Tim. His face was pale and covered with sweat. He looked down at her with an expression as if he were on top of a tall building, peering over the edge. She waited for Joshua’s nod, then took one small step forward. Daisy followed. Tim pursed his lips and nodded. Karen took another step and stopped. Tim’s parents and Joshua moved forward in unison. Karen tried taking two small steps. They went well. Then Daisy shook her head, as horses sometimes do, and Tim slid to his right, toward his mother.

Joshua and Tim’s father grabbed Tim’s left hand and pulled him back upright. Karen held Daisy’s reins. Tim’s mother was pale, terrified at the possibility of her son falling. Joshua and Tim’s father looked a little worried, but not much. Karen looked up at Tim.

He smiled. “I’m OK. I can do this. I want to learn to ride, and I will.”

Joshua congratulated him on his courage, but then suggested that both parents walk on one side while he stayed on the other. The lesson continued for another few minutes, and then Joshua said that was enough. They were doing great, but they should not overdo it.