[Nfbf-l] Fw: Article from Orlando Sentinel A Section 2010 02 05

[Sherri]

Seems the the so-called non-disabled always come first. This is really sad!
Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "NFB-NEWSLINE Online" <nfbnewsline at nfb.org>
To: "Sherri Brun" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 5:30 PM
Subject: Article from Orlando Sentinel A Section 2010 02 05


Orlando to oust horse therapy for disabled. Mark Schlueb , Orlando Sentinel. 
In the two years Jonalyn Davis has been bringing her daughter Sharon for 
therapeutic horseback rides at an Orlando park, she has seen the 
brain-damaged teen get stronger, her back straighten, her balance improve. 
It's a 45-minute drive for me so she can ride for just 30minutes, but I do 
it because it helps her," the Clermont woman said. It's heartbreaking. I 
don't know where we'll go if it isn't there. But Sharon's time in the saddle 
may be coming to an end. The charity program, Freedom Ride, is in a corner 
of Trotters Park, and city officials have decided the land would be better 
used for soccer and baseball fields -- even though there's no money to build 
them. We have to meet the needs of a broader population, not a special 
interest," said Lisa Early, who runs Orlando's Families, Parks and 
Recreation department. We have a lot of demand for ball fields for both 
youth and adults. In choosing not to renew the nonprofit group's lease when 
it runs out in 2012, the city is ejecting an organization that annually 
serves about 150 adults and children such as Sharon, who suffered brain 
damage after nearly drowning as a small child. Riders have cerebral palsy, 
muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, autism, mental retardation, 
attention-deficit disorder, deafness and blindness. It's the last program of 
its kind in Central Florida; development and economic pressure have already 
ended two others. Parents say children in the program can show remarkable 
improvement. Physically, supporters compare riding to swimming: It exercises 
multiple muscle groups, which is especially important for those with 
conditions that can cause muscle to atrophy. There seems to be a 
psychological benefit, too, particularly for autistic children. Some who 
rarely uttered a word before coming to Freedom Ride began speaking . 'We 
don't have the funds'  City officials have given Freedom Ride ample warning. 
But the charity's leaders say they don't have the money to move. The 
organization relies on donated horses and a dedicated group of about 100 
volunteers. We don't have the funds to procure another piece of property, 
and this is a hard economy to solicit donations," board member Sam Dunaway 
said. Likewise, Orlando doesn't have the money to follow through on its 
ambitious plan for four soccer fields, four baseball fields and other 
improvements either. Just months ago, Mayor Buddy Dyer's administration shed 
237 positions through buyouts and layoffs to avoid a deficit. Only federal 
grants are preventing the layoff of police and firefighters, and budget 
pressure is expected to continue for several years. Times are tight, and the 
city is not in a position to build them right now," Early said. Even so, 
there has been no discussion of extending Freedom Ride's lease until City 
Hall has the cash to go along with its plan. City officials say they might 
be able to use a Freedom Ride pasture for a makeshift practice soccer field 
until funding is available. The city's plan removes the last vestiges of 
horseback riding from Trotters Park, which has a history of equestrian use 
that stretches back more than 60 years. The site had been used as a training 
center for champion harness-racing horses called trotters since the 1940s. 
The city bought the land In 1947 and named it Ben White Raceway after the 
pioneer colt trainer and harness-racing driver. But use of the track fell 
after competing facilities opened throughout the South. And despite appeals 
a decade ago to save the raceway, the city finally ripped out the clay track 
and built baseball and soccer fields. The riding program was allowed as a 
nod to the park's heritage. Initially, Freedom Ride had a 20-year lease of 
20 acres. A few years later, city officials cut the lease to 10 years and 
rented half the land to a for-profit riding business for the able-bodied. 
That business shut down last year. Freedom Ride representatives say the 
organization is being steamrolled. The nonprofit was never told about -- or 
asked for input on -- a new "master plan" for the park, which concluded the 
equestrian use provides "little overall community benefit. Dunaway said 
repeated requests to meet with Dyer were rebuffed. But Laurie Botts, who 
runs Orlando's real-estate division, said the city has been more than fair 
to Freedom Ride. The charity pays no rent, and a few years ago the city 
released the group from a promise to build a covered arena and other 
improvements. Freedom Ride simply hasn't measured up to the city's 
expectations, she said . Official: City needs fields  City officials point 
to records that show most of those who use Freedom Ride live outside city 
limits. Meanwhile, there's heavy demand for more sports fields. We look at 
the numbers and make decisions based on facts and not hype," Early said. 
Youth sports groups said the need for more fields can't be overstated. Two 
groups share Trotters' four existing soccer fields, and one has had to move 
some games to area private schools. As soon as they put the new fields out 
there, they'll be full. The demand always outstrips the availability," said 
Scott Bates, vice president of FC America, a soccer club that plays at 
Trotters. Freedom Ride board members say the need for sports fields 
shouldn't be filled at the expense of a program for the disabled. They say 
the numbers ignore other visits, such as numerous school field trips. 
Students at nearby Princeton House charter school, which serves autistic 
kids, visit twice a week. And while Freedom Ride does welcome riders who 
live outside city limits, so do youth sports leagues, Dunaway said. The city 
is spending millions of dollars to build an arena for the Orlando Magic," he 
said. How many of their season-ticket holders live in the city limits? 
Illustrations: PHOTO: Freedom Ride volunteers help Sharon Davis, 17, ride 
Ginger this week at city-owned Trotters Park.\ GEORGE SKENE/ORLANDO 
SENTINEL\ . PHOTO: Julissa Abreo, 28, waits with mom Juana Ramos for her 
ride at Orlando's Trotters Park. The city is planning to end Freedom Ride's 
lease so it can add playing fields. Freedom Ride is the last program of its 
kind in Central Florida.\ GEORGE SKENE/ORLANDO SENTINEL. Mark Schlueb can be 
reached at mschlueb at orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5417..

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