“Straight Talk” Stories of Hope and Inspiration from Recipients of the Equestrian Aid Foundation

  • Save
Thank You and Happy New Year!

Thank you for your support of the Equestrian Aid Foundation and its programs to help equestrians, horsemen and equine professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses and injuries.

We are so grateful. Here are just a few of the people you’ve touched this year with your donations, in their own words of gratitude.

As 2011 comes to a close, I hope you’ll consider a tax-deductible donation that will improve the lives of so many in 2012.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous new year!

I want to make a difference – donate now.

  • Save

Linda Andrisani
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. The outpouring of support Jack and I have received through the Foundation has been overwhelming. We didn’t ever expect to need help from others and it’s difficult to ask. Thank you and the many donors who are making a difference in so many lives. Our community of equestrians is truly a community of caring people – that has never been more evident to me as it is now.”

Read Linda and Jack’s story in the August Newsletter.

  • Save

Trevor Lent
“I was severely injured in a farrier mishap in August of 2010. The following year was a long hard road which included expending all my resources to survive. In July of 2011, the recovery of my injury started to back up and I was faced with having to have total reconstructive surgery of my right knee. At this point I was supposed to be able to be getting back to work; however, this was not possible. My finances were about gone. I had liquidated all I possibly could to make it to this point in time. An old customer of mine that knew my predicament called me and put me in touch with the Equestrian Aid Foundation. I submitted my paperwork and was granted some financial assistance, at a time when I was really against the wall. My knee has been rebuilt; I’m able to pay my essential bills for existence and am looking forward to being on my feet and going again by late spring 2012, barring any complications.

“I sincerely thank the Foundation for their heartfelt help and for being there and providing assistance for the hard working equine professional who had a terrible injury doing what he loves – getting and keeping horses sound!”

  • Save

Allison Angove
“Thank you so much to you and the Board for your thoughtful approval of the grant for Allison. We are so grateful for your support and are very happy that we will now be able to provide her with necessary therapy at home in order to help her continue to recover. She has beat many odds and come a long way, but she still needs a lot of professional help. The grant is going to provide that to her without putting additional stress on our family. We have been blessed. Thank you for being a part of her recovery!”

Gratefully,
Terri, Grant and Allison

Below is an account of Allison’s accident and recovery as told by her parents Terri and Grant. Her family has graciously shared their thoughts and prayers with family, friends and well-wishers on the caring bridge website, which has been visited nearly 366,500 times. You can follow her inspirational story here.

April 10, 2009, Allison was doing what she enjoys most – competing at a three-day event at Ram Tap in Fresno, CA. She had finished her dressage portion of the competition with a great ride. The second event was stadium jumping. While warming up for this event, she easily cleared a jump, and successfully cantered off to round the next corner. Within a fraction of a second she and Skyler were suddenly on the ground. She was unconscious and the on-site ambulance arrived immediately to assist her and transport her to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, one of the few Level I Trauma Centers in California. For the next 12 hours Allison was put through several CAT scans, was continuously monitored, and a section of her skull on the right side was removed to relieve the intense pressure that had built up in her brain. They determined that she sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, as well as a fractured skull and bruises on her lungs. Allison was wearing her helmet (as she ALWAYS does), so we are baffled by the extent of her injuries.

In mid-May 2010 Allison had surgery to insert a shunt to relieve the pressure in her head.  Until that point she was not as quick to respond.  Since the surgery she has started to respond more easily to requests, which is exciting after waiting for 14 months.  She is breathing on her own through a trach, and has a feeding tube. Two years after her injury she has started to learn how to talk and eat. Because of the extensive injury to her brain, we don’t know what the future holds, so we would greatly appreciate your prayers for her healing.

Allison spent 27 months in the hospital (intensive care, sub-acute centers and a short stay in acute rehab).  She came HOME on July 28, 2011 and continues to improve.

Equestrian Aid Foundation | 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 22-377 | Wellington | FL | 33414

Leave a Reply