A local program is using the healing power of horses to reach out to military veterans. For one injured former sailor, a laidback horse named Anakin has been life-changing.
Miriam Birdsong hadn't ridden on a horse since she was a camp counselor almost 30 years ago, but when she found Anakin, she found something to hold onto -- a horse she sensed knew her, and understood her. And maybe a horse who could help her heal.
When Miriam Birdsong grooms Anakin, the rest of the world fades away. She's no longer a Navy veteran or a traumatic brain injury survivor, She's a rider with her horse.
"Anakin is the extension of me, so as, we work as a team, I'm steering, and he feels everything that I'm doing," said Birdsong.
A patient at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Decatur, Miriam drives herself to the Calvin Center in Hampton every Friday morning. For a few hours, she rides through the pain and paralysis that are part of her life now.
"But since my legs aren't strong, then Anakin has four legs for me and it makes me feel really good," said Birdsong.
That's what keeps the Warriors & Horses volunteers, all of them vets, coming back for one more chance to serve.
Sara Reams heard about the Horses & Warriors program and got the program on its feet here at the Calvin Center.
"I love horses, and I love our veterans," said Reams. "The horse is there for every single one of those clients in whatever way that can be what they need. They understand grief, they understand a whole range of emotions. They don't care, they just want to be there with you."
Phil Hanna, an Fayetteville Army veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, says he knew almost nothing about horses when he volunteered three years ago, but working with the vets has changed him.
"To see the courage that they have -- it's an honor for me to volunteer, to see the courage that some of the wounded warriors have to get on a horse and meddle with a horse," said Hanna.
Sometimes the volunteers can see the scars of war, sometimes they can't. They're there for support. It's up the rider to lead the horse.
"They're well-protected from the four people around them helping them out, but the horse is going to do what they ask them to do in that saddle," said Chip Johnson.
"And we had one guy that was so afraid the first time out, and now he can't wait to come out, he wants to get on his horse and ride to Dallas," said Hanna.
Miriam and Anakin can't wait to get out of the ring.
"That's my favorite, and I think it's his, too, because we don't like going in circles," said Birdsong.
And, that's the magic. On Anakin, Miriam can push forward, going wherever life takes her.
"I feel just like I'm active. I just feel really good," said Birdsong.
The Horses and Warriors program is run entirely by veterans for veterans.
The clients have to be referred by their doctor, but it's all free, paid for by scholarships and donations.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight. In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician.
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Monday, May 20 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:03:26 GMT
Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Drop in on your friend's Facebook pages and blogs and you'll probably see a lot of photos of their kids. Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
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