This is only a preview. No submissions will be saved, nor will emails be sent.
When Stella was diagnosed with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder at just five months old, we were given a long list of things she might never do. But if you know Stella, you know she has never been particularly interested in that list.
Stella is almost 7 now, and Manes for Movement has been part of her story for most of her life. She began hippotherapy at Manes for Movement when she was about 18 months old. At the time, she could barely sit or hold her head up independently. We had no idea what her mobility would ultimately look like or how much independence she might someday have. What we did know was that we wanted to give her every possible opportunity to show us what she COULD do.
Manes became one of those opportunities and then so much more. Week after week, Stella got on a horse and worked on the building blocks of movement: core strength, balance, coordination, motor planning and confidence. Erin, Liz and the entire Manes team believed in her, challenged her and celebrated her through every stage. There have been laughs, tears, plenty of screams, and countless moments when they asked just a little more of her because they knew she had more to give.
And Stella kept surprising us. The little girl who could barely sit independently now sits. She crawls. She pulls herself up. She can stand up from the floor and from a chair.
And she walks.
Watching Stella take steps is something we will never take for granted. Every single one represents years of work by Stella and by the extraordinary therapists who refused to put limits on what might be possible for her. We truly believe Manes for Movement has played an enormous role in helping Stella become the strong, determined little girl she is today.
But Manes has given Stella something beyond physical progress, too. It has given her a place where she belongs. This summer, we watched Stella participate in camp at Manes alongside other children. Seeing her included, interacting with other kids and simply getting to be a kid was one of those moments we wished we could freeze in time. For a family that once had so many questions about what Stella's future might look like, moments like that mean everything.
Manes has never looked at Stella and seen a list of limitations. They see Stella. A funny, determined, joyful little girl with so much potential still waiting to be unlocked. Today, when we watch her move through the world with more strength, confidence and independence than we once knew would be possible, we see the result of people who believed that she was worth investing in.
That is why we are so proud to be Team Stella for Manes for Movement's Month of Giving. The progress happening at this barn is real. We have watched it happen in our own daughter. Every donation helps make sure Manes can continue giving Stella and so many other children the opportunity to discover just how much they are capable of. There are still so many things we don't know about Stella's future. But thanks to places like Manes, we get to approach that future differently. Not asking, “Will she ever?” But wondering, “What will she surprise us with next?”
Name
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
First Name
A value must be entered before continuing.
Last Name
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Address
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Address Line 1
A value must be entered before continuing.
City
A value must be entered before continuing.
State
A value must be entered before continuing.
Zip
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Email
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Donation
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Phone
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Gift Note
*
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Invalid Email Format
A value must be entered before continuing.
$
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
Please choose one of the above options to continue.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A donation amount must be chosen before continuing.
$
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
A non-zero value must be entered before continuing.
A value must be entered before continuing.
One Time
Recurring
Please choose one of the above options to continue.