HORSE PEOPLE ...

LET'S SHOW CHRISTOPHER REEVE WE CARE

Christopher Reeves with logistics coordinator & accessiblity specialist, Diana DeRosa

Dear Horse Enthusiast:

For the past 30 years I've been involved in the horse world as a rider, writer, photographer and PR Consultant. Three years ago I added another dimension to my life ­ that of being an accessibility specialist and logistics coordinator for Christopher Reeve. My association with Christopher and his family has opened my eyes and helped me understand the important things in life. Watching Christopher deal with the day-to-day issues of a person in a wheelchair who is breathing on a ventilator has made me appreciate his strength and determination to find a cure and to walk again. Seeing his wife Dana consistently be an example for us all, with her zest for life, her devotion to her husband and family and her incredible talent as an actress and singer has been a guiding light for myself and all of us who work for Christopher.

Over the years I've often thought about what I can do to help Christopher and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), an organization dedicated to finding effective treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. With the advent of new technology that goal seems more realistic than ever.

In 1995 when Christopher was first injured, the horse community as a whole was devastated to hear the news that he was paralyzed while competing in a combined training event. Christopher and his family were horrified when they learned that there was little if any chance of walking again. However, thanks to Christopher's efforts since May of 1995, everything has changed. Hope has turned into a reality. Now there is only one major obstacle: enough money for the scientists so that they can continue to do the necessary research to find a cure. The amount of money needed is astronomical and so I realized that now was the time for me to step in and do my part. I want to reach out to the huge horse community here in the United States and let you know how you can support this cause.

It's very simple: just send money to the CRPF. If you are having a fundraiser or are looking for a charity to benefit, consider the CRPF.

If you know of someone who has been lucky in life and accumulated their fortune, encourage them to give back to this worthy cause. Christopher was hurt while riding the animal that ties us all together. As a horse community, we can help.

I'm sure many of you would want to meet Christopher or might think that if you run a fundraiser, Christopher can be there. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Christopher's schedule is very demanding and traveling for us is very complicated because of his medical requirements. But we can send you materials about the CRPF, while Christopher continues his own campaign to raise funds for medical research. Progress in curing paralysis will benefit people with other neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, MS, ALS, Alzheimer's and stroke.

I have listened to many of Christopher's speeches and I close with a reference he often makes to a poster above his bed: "Nothing is Impossible!" Here's our chance to help a fellow horse lover reach his goal of walking again. And, when he walks there will be thousands of others who will walk with him.

If you would like to donate to the CRPF, send your tax-deductible donation to "The Horse Community Reaches Out," 500 Morris Ave., Springfield, NJ 07081. I will provide updates as to how much money we as a horse community have donated to the cause.

Feel free to contact me directly be emailing dderosa1@optonline.net or calling 631-549-5362.

Diana De Rosa