Using her passion to give others a boost: Sallie Murphy

HALIFAX — There are few places Sallie Murphy would rather be than in a horse stable, she’s been riding pretty much her whole life. Its a passion she almost lost the ability to enjoy when she was stricken with polio as a teenager and doctors told her she would never walk or ride again. However, Sallie was determined to get back in the saddle and would eventually prove the doctors wrong.

Years later Sallie’s struggle would help motivate her to share her passion for riding with other young people struggling with disabilities. While living in Texas she got a phone call from a nephew who was born with spina bifida. She still remembers the joy in his voice as he told her about his adventures at a therapeutic riding centre: on a horse he could see and do many things he was unable to do in a wheelchair. “I can relate to being in a wheelchair and not being able to walk” says Sallie, who knew there was something special happening, “I’ve been in a similar position myself.”

Upon her return to Canada, Sallie got involved as a volunteer with the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Centres. Founded in 1980, CanTRA is a registered charity, with 100 member centres across the country, using horses to provide therapeutic recreation, life skills training and sport programs for children and adults with disabilities. Relying on the donations and the dedication of volunteers like Sallie, some centres offer physical therapy, using the horses movements to influence the body of the rider, while others focus on the mental health benefits of riding. For many students, riding horses may be their only experience at this kind of mobility.

Today Sallie works with children as young as 2 years old, even purchasing special ponies to accomodate their small bodies. “The horses have an uncanny instinct and knowledge that there’s something a little special about these riders,” says Sallie. “They react differently with the children, as if to say this is a therapeutic riding lesson and I know I have to be careful with my rider.”

The experience of riding has transformed the lives of some of her young riders. “I feel really empowered being able to have control over this magnificent animal,” says 13 year old Zach Mitchell, who has cerebral palsy. “Its a real self-esteem builder and I really love it here.”

It’s a transformation of mind and body that Sallie has witnessed many times over the more than 20 years she’s been giving therapeutic riding lessons. “She’s the backbone of this programme,” says Lisa Burd, President of CanTRA. However Sallie insists its her love of horses and children that keep her going: “I just love what I’m doing.”

Using her passion to give others a boost makes Sallie Murphy this week’s “Everyday Hero.”