The View Changes
“Jamal’s” cerebral palsy rendered the left side of his body virtually useless, and he had learned that this condition did not bring friendship from the world in Kyrgyzstan. When staff from CDI’s therapeutic riding project first met Jamal, he would not even make eye contact with them. It was clear he was expecting rejection in this place too. But Jamal’s very supportive father encouraged his son to keep trying. After a couple of sessions on the back of a gentle horse, Jamal now rides with a smile on his face. The horses don’t reject him and neither does CDI staff.