This month, Black Press Media has teamed up with and BraveFace to help grant wishes, . Hereѻýs one wish that was granted through the Make-A-Wish B.C. and Yukon chapterѻý
ѻýI wish to have a horse riding gear shopping spreeѻý ѻý January 2017
Sometimes the most deserving people are the last to accept help or an exciting opportunity for fear of taking it away from others. Hillary, 17, was one of them.
Hillary knew all about about The Make-A-Wish Foundation. She knew, as a child living with Cystic Fibrosis that she qualified for a wish. Yet she declined the opportunity on several occasions.
That all changed two years ago. Hillaryѻýs mother passed away, bringing about a shift in the teenѻýs perspective about her life. The next time she was asked if she would like to be referred to Make-A-Wish, her answer turned into a yes.
Hillary makes the trek from her home in the Okanagan to Vancouver four times a year for hospital visits. In between, she seeks out her own therapies to manage her Cystic Fibrosis, and horse back riding is her favourite.
A self-described ѻýhorse nut.ѻý Hillary can be found riding up to five days a week. Hillaryѻýs father, Tim, sees it as essential to maintaining her health.
ѻýShe probably spends five days a week with her horse in Kelowna,ѻý said Tim. ѻýHorses have been really good for Hillary. They are very therapeutic, both physically and mentally.ѻý
Hillary didnѻýt take long to settle on her wish: A horse riding gear shopping spree. The Lower Mainland community of Langley answered the Make-A-Wish Foundationѻýs call for assistance, putting together not just a shopping spree (which included a beautiful custom saddle, pictured on the back of her horse, Zoe), but also a Vancouver hotel stay, limousine ride and a private riding lesson with renowned dressage rider and coach Wendy Christoff at High Point Equestrian.
ѻýNothing compares to riding,ѻý said Hillary. ѻýI would really, really like to thank everyone involved, who helped to make this experience what it was.ѻý
ѻýThroughout my earlier clinic visits as a child, I was advised to stop riding because of the ѻýunsanitary environmentѻý and ѻýdusty hayѻý but Iѻýve got to tell you, riding is the best solution to any problem. Horses have been my therapist through my darkest moments, pride during my happiest, and happiness throughout my entire life. Itѻýs no secret that we become overwhelmed about our conditions and what the future entails for us and our family, but I encourage people to do what makes them happy. Health is priority, but happiness is not far behind.ѻý
Critically ill kids put on a Brave Face every day. Now you can, too, in support of Make-A-Wish.
Black Press Media and have come together to support children facing life-threatening conditions, and we invite you to join us in helping childrenѻýs wishes come true. !
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