Their journey began five years ago when Jean adopted her son. He was a beautiful baby boy with brown eyes that swallowed her heart. Quickly, he became the love of her life.
She didn’t realize, he would also be one of her biggest challenges. At the age of two, he was diagnosed with autism.
Jean said, “I wanted to grab him and run to the hills because I was more afraid of the way society would treat him because you want to protect your children.”
Then, Jean made it her mission to make Kiefer happy and give him the best life possible.
It hasn’t always been easy.
Jean said, “There are some days when I think I can’t do this anymore. But I have faith and that gets me through a lot of things.”
When Jean heard about a man named Bob Garnett and the Bartlesville’s Bluestem Riding Group, she hoped it could be another type of therapy that may benefit her son.
Years ago Bob helped organize the riding group for people with special needs. Bluestem is a non profit group that makes it possible for everyone to ride.
Jean’s son is one of a number of autistic children who ride once a week with specially trained instructors.
He’s shown a great deal of progress. He’s now listening to instructions, and comfortable with his instructors.
Jean hopes someday soon, he’ll make the breakthrough she’s been hoping for since his diagnosis. Since her son’s diagnosis, he hasn’t spoken a word. It’s a struggle for him to communicate with others.
He has been improving his communication skills through riding during the past couple years. Jean says that gives her hope for the future.
She said, “I have absolute faith that we have great strides yet to come… he will go a long way.”
- Bluestem Therapeutic Horseback Riding
- PO Box 121, Bartlesville, OK 74005 (918) 336-7473
