continued from p.1 later than other children. She didn't crawl until she was about two and a half; sat up at about two. She can now stand for maybe two to three minutes independently and can take three steps on her own," said Debbie Pires, Jordan's mom. The Grade 2 St. Michael Catholic School student gets around using a walker or a wheelchair for longer distances. Normally with cerebellar atrophy, said Pires, the person can get stronger physically, but then digress. "Her doctors right now don't know what her future holds, but she's bypassed everything they told us she'd never do," Pires said. "She's kind of floored her doctors every time she goes for a check up... she's excelling, she's smart and just really, really determined." That's why Pires followed the suggestion by Jordan's physiotherapist to try Windrush Stables (www.windrushstable.com). "She said that it would be a really good thing for her because Jordan, emotionally, she wouldn't want to talk to other people. She would just shut down," Debbie said. Lesley Ridout-Gauer, Windrush founder and general manager, says the biggest difference she's seen in her clients is an improvement in their self-esteem. "The horses don't judge. They listen quietly and accept everyone as they are," she said. "I had a women aged 42 come for a lesson -- this was `The horses don't judge, they listen quietly' before we were therapeutic, about 20 years ago -- who was non-verbal. After three lessons, she started to speak. That was when I knew this was my true calling." Wi n d r u s h Stables teaches 60 clients per week and runs four sessions Jordan Pires per year. The program itself is said to provide enhanced self-confidence and motivation, increased muscle tone and strength, improved learning, concentration and spatial awareness, and a sense of independence, integration and achievement. Riding every Monday, with the assistance of two side walkers for safety, a person to guide the horse, and a teacher, Pires said her daughter has developed an unbelievable bond with her horse Timmy -- named for his favourite snack the Tim Hortons Timbit, which Jordan dutifully brings for the 24-year-old equine every time she sees him. When she first began to ride, Jordan would use a touch pad with a green circle to indicate when she wanted to go and a red button to stop -- not wanting to speak to anyone around her. "Now when she rides, she fully talks to the horse, tells him she wants to go. She's laughing -- there's definitely a difference than when she first started," said Debbie. "And she just absolutely loves Timmy." So much so, that Jordan recently fundraised to support her favourite horse and Windrush Stables by collecting $170 by selling Freezies at her school and $545 through her Timmy Tin -- her efforts saw Timmy win Horse of the Year for Windrush's annual competition. Debbie says the horse-riding program has been incredible for Jordan. "The attention they give to each child, it's unbelievable," she said. "She's gotten stronger and more confident, and a good chunk of that is because of riding. Her confidence in herself and in communicating with others, telling them what she wants, I think a lot of that came from riding and Timmy. "Watching this little girl who felt she couldn't ride and was afraid to talk to anyone... to see her bloom and watch her ride -- her face just lights up." 13 | Thursday, June 20, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com THE MAY COURT CLUB OF OAKVILLE ART AROUND THE BENZ would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their generous contributions to our successful event on June 7th, 2013 THANK YOU! To All The Participating Artists Cheferential Treatment Personal Chef Service Fortinos Fine Foods Oakville Mye Japanese Restaurant Paradiso Restaurant Seasons/Corks/Maluca Restaurants Starsky Fine Foods Mississauga Walkers Fish Market Mississauga Wineries/Brewery: Old Credit Brewing Company Ltd Rockways Vineyards Union Wines Vodka Tastings by Multiculture Bevco Slava Vodka Restaurants/Grocers: Draw Donors * Mercedes Benz Oakville (Andrew Plum Painting) * Grand Niagara Golf Course *British Life *Jan Davidson * Karen Walker * Irene Hunchak * Dawn Angela * Michele Rose * Pat McGoey * Ruby Howard * Ontario Racquet Club * Village Spa REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 11924-4614 RR0001 Visit our website Maycourt.ca Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMayCourtClubofOakville Official Club Sponsor Auto Accessories Window Tinting Paint Protection Film Headlight Restoration Paint Polishing Buffing & Waxing Scratch & Dent Removal Rim Repairs Exterior Hand Wash Interior Shampoo & Detailing Executive Detailing Package Full hand wash,Wax, & Engine Shampoo,Total Interior Shampoo & Detailing, Odour Eliminator. The Car Detailing Professionals Odor Removal Ozone-Sanitize Engine Shampoo Leather Conditioning Fabric Protection Paint Sealant MOBILE SERVICE Tinting Special www.absoluteautoimage.com BOATS CARS RV'S MOTORCYCLES 905 847 7999 starting from $ $ *Additional cost applies to SUVs, minivans and trucks. Cannot be combined with any other offer. 199 * 199 *