GASTON COUNTY -- People with disabilities often have to spend a lot of time in doctor's offices. But one Gaston County farm is allowing them to get care they need, outside on horses. And one volunteer is helping to make sure the farm and patients are well- cared-for. 

  • Shining Hope Farms gives people with disabilities a fresh setting for hippotherapy and riding therapy.
  • Sheila Gibson gives back to the farm by cleaning stalls, grooming horses and walking with riders.
  • Gibson says her favorite part of the job is working with children and seeing their lives transformed. 

The trail ride at Shining Hope Farms gives people with disabilities a fresh setting, much-needed relaxation, while also providing therapy and hippotherapy. The movement of the horse facilitates improvement in balance and core strength for those visiting the farm.

"They may be like a rag doll when they come to us. But after being on the horse and experiencing the movement of the horse, they'll develop that core strength," said Shining Hope Farms Development Director Jean Penner. 

Shining Hope Farms serves 200 people a week, but it takes a lot of work to do that. It takes a lot of volunteers to take care of the horses who require a lot of grooming.

One group of volunteers has their own name, "the Barn Fairies." Sheila Gibson is part of the group who, alongside her mom and friend, cleans stalls, grooms horses and walks with riders for support each week.

Gibson says she loves horses, but most of all she loves working with the children.

One of the needs Gibson found at the farm was for a covered arena for riders. She used her day job at a general contracting company to donate the lumber and labor to build it.

Gibson didn't know a lot about horses before she arrived, but quickly learned. She says her time on the farm is therapeutic to her, too. 

"This is like my therapy. Even though this is work, this is my therapy," said Gibson. 

She knows the work is tough but she says it's worth it to get to watch people transform.

"I couldn't imagine if I couldn't walk. We take things for granted, but that child coming in and can hardly walk, and walking on their own, it's amazing," said Gibson.

Sheila Gibson is living a childhood dream while also making other children's dreams a reality.

It's why she's this week's Everyday Hero.

 

If you would like to volunteer at or donate to Shining Hope Farms, click here.

If you have an idea for an Everyday Hero email us at Everydayheroes@charter.com