Keeping Up with the Jones!
Posted by Wishmaster on October 2, 2008
When Patrick was very little, it only took one pony ride at a local fair to convince him that horses were incredible animals. Nine-year-old Patrick from Greenlawn, Long Island is challenged by liver disease and hydrocephalus. Due to complications from his condition, he became visually and hearing impaired at the age of four. Despite these difficulties, Patrick decided very early on that he would not let his personal obstacles stop him from following one of his true passions.
With the help and support of a dedicated instructor, Patrick soon came to love riding horses while taking lessons at a special school in Islandia called Pal-O-Mine. When Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County was contacted to grant Patrick a wish, there was no question what he wanted to do – to go to Kentucky to “meet” his favorite racehorse, Smarty Jones! Thanks to the hard work of the Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers in both Suffolk County and in Kentucky, last April, Patrick and his mom Susan boarded a plane to the Bluegrass State, where many exciting adventures awaited them!
The first stop on the tour was the moment that Patrick had been waiting for – a visit to Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, where Smarty Jones is stabled! Patrick approached the Derby winner with the care and calmness of a professional handler, according to one of the men working at the stables. He told Susan how impressed he was with the way her son glided his hand down Smarty’s legs to feel his muscles, a technique Patrick learned at his riding school. Patrick was amazed by how smooth and soft Smarty’s coat was, and even more astonished by what happened next – a piece of Smarty’s mane was braided and cut so that Patrick could have it as a keepsake! He also had the unique opportunity to interact with Smarty’s two beautiful foals. Another highlight of the day was experiencing the thrill of Smarty running through a field as fast as he would during a race! Regardless of his visual and hearing impairments, Patrick could sense Smarty’s immense power and energy.
The next day, Patrick and his family were taken to Churchill Downs in Louisville for a special tour. While there, they were able to meet a few jockeys and be spectators for a practice run around the famous track. They were invited to stand inside the tunnel underneath the track so that Patrick could feel the vibrations of the horses running over it. Patrick was also given a jockey’s silk, riding crop, and hat as gifts, which were presented to him in his favorite colors, yellow and black! Furthermore, Patrick visited Central Kentucky Riding For Hope, a non-profit organization that encourages therapeutic horseback riding for children with special needs. He had a wonderful time doing some riding and jumping at their facility. An afternoon at Keeneland track added even more excitement to the wish as they sat in box seats for an exhilarating race!
For Patrick, meeting Smarty Jones, and being immersed in “horse culture,” were dreams come true. Susan summed up the amazing experience: “We think about the wish every day…it was more than we could have ever imagined.” She explains to Patrick, who not only takes riding lessons, but has also joined a soccer league and Boy Scouts (and wants to take jiu-jitsu), that he can do anything in the world. She says, “I tell him all the time ‘Look how much you’ve done!’ I’m very blessed to have him every day.” What is Patrick’s next venture? Susan reveals, “Now he wants to meet Big Brown!”
