Over the past couple of years, I have been blessed to get to know and become friends with Karly and her family. Karly has Retts Syndrome and Beau is her companion horse. You can clearly see the special bond these two share. They have shown me that you really don’t need words to communicate love and trust. Karly has become a hero of mine, she knows what she wants and she works hard towards those goals! Karly communicates using her keyboard and wanted to share a little bit about herself in her own words:
I have Rett syndrome. It has affected my ability to walk, kept me from speaking, affected my energy, made it challenging to breathe. In other words it has a huge effect on my days. I don’t want to have people to think of me only as having many challenges but as a young woman who has many gifts and interests. I am able to compose music for piano and keyboards. I share my music and stories in the hopes that I can inspire others to think of folks who live with a disability as having much to offer this world. I love spending time with Beau. He brings so much joy to my life with his energy and his interest in people. He is a very busy, nosy, little horse that makes me smile. It is funny to see how much mischief he tries to get into. I love him! It’s fun to see the looks on people’s faces when we are in town or on the trail. I hope he’s able to go even more places this next summer. It gives him and me something to look forward to.
check out their new blog at www.spiritdances.wordpress.com
for anyone looking for more information on Rett Syndrome you will find info at
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/rett/detail_rett.htm#109693277
Wow! My 3 year old daughter has Rett Syndrome and we’re trying to find ways to help her communicate. She seems to understand so much of what we say . . . . . I would love to know more about how Karly communicates, both with and without the keyboard. How old is Karly?
Also would like to know more about the companion horses.
Fabulous! I totally believe this kind of therapy is so beneficial. Wonderful wonderful.
I am SO touched my this post. My daughter Brooklyn is 2 1/2 and has Rett Sundrome. We JUST got her a computer in hope it might help her communicate. I would LOVE to hear more about how she first started using the computer. If you could email me I would be forevre grateful!
Kelly
Mom to Brooklyn
My daughter is 2 1/2 and has Rett Syndrome. We JUST bought her a computer in hopes that we can help her communicate. I would LOVE to hear back from you about when she first started using the computer and any information that might help Brooklyn. This story about Karly can me hope that I might too give my daughter a voice!
Kelly
Mom to Brooklyn
To both Kelly and Marie,
I know that Karly and her mom (Lois) are both very excited to respond to you. I did forward them your e-mails from the posts!! Karly is in her early twenties, so I imagine they have lots of good information, experience and inspiration to share with you! Thank you for stopping by!!
Sandy
You are right, Karly is a heroine! I admire her for her attitude and will keep her in my thoughts!
My daughter loves horses , used to have a pony, and also is able to type with assistance, though not as perfectly as Karly, if that is her own work that appears above.
Does Karly ride, as well?
I would like to be in touch with her mother—my daughter is a few years older than Karly but they may have enough in common to
share interests via email.
Thanks!
Thank you, Sandy, for sharing this about Karly and the wonderful photos. I really like the photo with the keyboard with Beau helping.
I appreciate reading Karly’s words… she is such an inspiration… truly. Dogs and horses are wonderful companion and therapy animals. They bring much comfort, friendship, love, and smiles to those who are disabled. Yes, Karly does have much to offer to the world. Bless you, Karly.
I would like to thank Lois and Karly for giving me the opportunity to come to know Beau. He is a very special guy and brings a smile to my heart everytime I see him. He is so funny to watch running around in his paddock and enjoying his time on the yard eating grass. I look forward to seeing Beau (and the kittys) this weekend.
Stacy
IT HAS BEEN SO FUN TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS THROUGH YOUR BLOG SANDY. IT HAS KEPT ME BUSY THIS WEEK. I CANT WAIT FOR SPRING, TO BE OUTSIDE AGAIN. BEAU HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE A COUPLE TIMES THIS WEEK. HE IS LEARNING TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS. IT GIVES HIS MOUTH SOMETHING GOOD TO DO.
Karly,
Beau is way too smart for his own good!
Do you think you could teach him to dust and do windows?
I have always been a little jealous that you can bring your horse into the house! For some reason, my husband just
doesn’t think it is really a good idea for me to bring mine in? Hmmm. Maybe I could sneak them in when he’s not home?
Sandy
SANDY
I THINK YOU WILL FIND HIS NOSE PRINT ON THE GLASS DOOR. HE WAS WORKING HARD ON OPENING AND CLOSING THAT ONE. I WAS SITTING IN THE DOORWAY WHEN HE FIGURED OUT HOW TO CLOSE IT WITH A BANG! I THINK YOUR HORSES WOULD LOVE TO COME IN FOR A SNACK. JUST CLEAN THEIR FEET GOOD FIRST! STUFF HIDES IN THEM
KARLY