By Dan Roark
It’s been quite a journey! This weekend, Tonya Andrews, a medically retired disabled Air Force veteran, will compete at the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games in New Orleans. Tonya qualified to compete in Bocce Ball, Archery, Bowling, and Power Soccer.
Let me go back to the beginning. For background, see my Thanksgiving post about Tonya.
When I first met Tonya in fall/summer of last year, she was strapped into the tank. Which was an apparatus that she could move so that she could groom the horses, Olivia in particular, and get to know her. Despite all that Tonya had been through, she was in good spirits – more so when she was around the horses.
Tonya was determined to get back the life that had been taken away by a cruel twist of fate. At the New Hope Gala in October, she spoke through online streaming due to illness. As she told her story, there were few dry eyes in the crowd.
Due to her determination and hard work, as well as that of her physical therapist, she was on Olivia before Thanksgiving! The smile on her face shone in the light of the setting sun. There was also a look of determination and pain when she pushed herself to ride a few more minutes. Each time she rode it was a little easier to get on and off of Olivia. Her doctors have been amazed at Tonya’s progress. Her physical therapist used the pictures taken of Tonya at New Hope to know what to focus on to get her riding better.
Tonya has to re-train her body after being basically bedridden for so long. Her arms have unequal strength – and neither has full strength at that. She even has to re-train her eyes, and thusly, her hand-eye coordination. She hopes to get back to competitive rifle shooting that she enjoyed immensely before being thrown into her new reality.
With that said, she has to use unconventional methods to compete in her particular events at the wheelchair games. With bocce ball and bowling it is easy to imagine the different ways to roll the balls. Power soccer I do not get. And the last time I talked to her, she didn’t either. Archery, as Tonya described it, is easily the most complicated sport of the four events. With her uneven strength in her arms, she has to use her teeth to draw back the bow. At least, that’s how I understand it, but even if I’m a bit off, it’s still quite complicated.
All of us at New Hope wish Tonya well in all of her events and hope she has a tremendous and glorious time at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games making many new memories. It’s the end of one journey and the beginning of another. At the same time, it’s a journey in and of itself. Good luck, Tonya!
Ride on and ride for hope.
Venmo – @NewHopeEquineAssistedTherapy
The post Rider Highlight – Tonya Goes to the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games! first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.