Without the CKNW Orphans’ Fund, Fiona McClure’s children, Kiarra and Rylan, would not be able to enjoy and learn from their therapeutic riding lessons.
“CKNW has been great for us for many, many years,” says Fiona.
Kiarra, 15, has Down Syndrome and Rylan, 13, has Cerebral Palsy. Kiarra is able to sit up and crawl, but unable to walk. Rylan is unable to sit, walk or talk. So any kind of activity for them is a challenge and Fiona welcomes all the help they can get.
Earlier this year the Orphans’ Fund also helped buy a wheelchair lift for the family’s van as Rylan had spinal surgery this past summer.
But it’s the therapeutic riding that really helps these young people. Fiona says every year they apply for funding and have been getting some for the past six years.
Rylan has not been able to ride lately because of his recent surgery, but he still takes part in equine therapy and helps brush the horses and feeds them. “The horses are amazing,” says Fiona, “and it gives Rylan great exercise and range of movement .”
For Kiarra, she loves therapeutic riding. “She rolls her wheelchair up to the horse,” says Fiona. “She can’t walk but she can ride.”
Fiona says CKNW Orphans’ Fund has been great with helping the family, as money is tight. “They’ve always been kind enough to approve us,” she says.
She stays home with the kids and her husband works, so they know they would not be able to pay for this kind of therapy without help from the Orphans’ Fund.
“They’ve made it very easy for us, they ‘be just supported us every time,” says Fiona.
The CKNW Orphans’ Fund is holding their annual pledge day today, Friday, Dec. 6.To make a donation and help check out their website.
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