Hi! My name is Kazuma Yokota, and I’m 12 years old.

I was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that required brain surgery when I was just one week old. To help drain the excess fluid from my brain, a VP shunt was placed, something I will live with for the rest of my life.

As a result of the brain damage I experienced, the right side of my body is weaker, similar to the effects of a stroke. This can make many everyday activities physically challenging. But there’s one place where I feel strong, capable, and independent- on the back of a horse!

I’ve been riding at Manes for Movement for years, and every week I look forward to seeing my horse friends and the people who help me learn and grow. Riding has helped me build strength, improve my posture and balance, develop coordination, and maybe most importantly, believe in myself and what I can do.

This year has brought an exciting new chapter for me. Since Manes for Movement moved to its new therapy barn I’ve been riding Bindi, one of the newest members of the therapy horse herd!

Bindi and I make a pretty great team. With more space to ride and practice, I’m now able to ride off lead and steer Bindi completely on my own! I’m working on more complex riding skills, becoming more independent every week, and I’m even trotting!

Every new skill is another reminder that I am capable of more than I thought possible.

The horses at Manes for Movement are so much more than horses to me. They are my teachers, my teammates, and my friends. They challenge me to become stronger and more independent while making all that hard work feel like fun.

This Month of Giving, I hope you’ll consider supporting Team Kazu and Manes for Movement. Your generosity helps care for incredible therapy horses like Bindi and makes it possible for kids like me to keep learning, growing, and discovering just how much we can do.

Thank you for being part of my journey, and for helping me keep moving forward, one stride at a time!

- Kazuma “Kazu” Yokota"
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Manes for Movement, Inc
P.O. Box 1587
Torrance, CA 90505
info.manesformovement@gmail.com
Tax ID #: 84-2971941

Manes for Movement, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible under IRC Section 170.