Giving Spotlight
Shared with permission, from Microsoft’s internal newsletter
In this week’s Giving spotlight, we are featuring a Giving story from one of our teammates from the Gaming organization…Cathy de Lisle. Read below to learn more about Cathy’s involvement in an amazing organization that is doing incredible work with our younger generation. Thank you for sharing Cathy!!!
Tell us about one of the organizations you give to?
Scooter’s Place is a local non-profit in Monroe, WA which provides an adaptive riding program for children who need a little more patience. This includes people on the autism spectrum, children with anxiety disorders, and those with other developmental disabilities. While Scooter’s Place welcomes all riders, it specializes in working with children who need a quiet, supportive environment and a more individualized pace. All lesson horses are donated or rescued and chosen specifically for their gentle temperament, patience, and ability to work with all ages. Scooter, the horse that inspired this non-profit, enjoyed great success as a Hunter Jumper competitor for many years. After retiring from the competition circuit, Scooter and his owner taught literally hundreds of children how to ride.
A visit to Scooter’s Place might find you watching neurodiverse children riding side by side with their typically developing siblings, assisted by two trained volunteers, as the instructor gently guides both riders on their horses. For children with special needs, the opportunity to participate in any activity with their typically developing sibling is rare (few adaptive recreational programs “mainstream” participation). This inclusive setting has tremendous value for the child with special needs and for the entire family – though it is not covered by any health insurance plan.
Scooter’s Place is a local non-profit in Monroe, WA which provides an adaptive riding program for children who need a little more patience. This includes people on the autism spectrum, children with anxiety disorders, and those with other developmental disabilities. While Scooter’s Place welcomes all riders, it specializes in working with children who need a quiet, supportive environment and a more individualized pace. All lesson horses are donated or rescued and chosen specifically for their gentle temperament, patience, and ability to work with all ages. Scooter, the horse that inspired this non-profit, enjoyed great success as a Hunter Jumper competitor for many years. After retiring from the competition circuit, Scooter and his owner taught literally hundreds of children how to ride.
A visit to Scooter’s Place might find you watching neurodiverse children riding side by side with their typically developing siblings, assisted by two trained volunteers, as the instructor gently guides both riders on their horses. For children with special needs, the opportunity to participate in any activity with their typically developing sibling is rare (few adaptive recreational programs “mainstream” participation). This inclusive setting has tremendous value for the child with special needs and for the entire family – though it is not covered by any health insurance plan.
Was there a pivotal moment in your life that inspires your giving?
My 5-year-old son, Gavin, has been taking riding lessons at Scooter’s Place for 3 months. After we experienced a year of unexpected challenges with various day cares, sports teams, play groups, and summer camps – we officially learned that Gavin thinks differently than neurotypical people. Outside of developmental preschool, we struggled to find safe and appropriate activities for our extroverted and energetic boy to socialize and exercise! I have never experienced an hour pass so quickly than during our Saturday afternoons at the barn, as Scooter’s Place incorporates games (sword fights, balloon tosses) designed to meet Gavin’s needs while he is learning to ride. The goal of his instructor is to keep the time fun and diverse, as well as to disguise therapeutic movements as play time. Grooming and feeding his Norwegian Fjord (Hazy) are his favorite activities (see pictures). As a result of his horsemanship experience, Gavin has already made significant improvements toward accomplishing several of his Pre-K goals based on the most recent progress report from his teacher.
How has Microsoft supported your giving or increased the level of impact?
Microsoft matches my donations to Scooter’s Place which helps them maintain their facilities and stable of horses, as well as provide scholarships for riders who cannot afford to participate. Microsoft will also feature Scooter’s Place during the Give Campaign on Autism Resource Day at the Common/Mixer on Thursday, October 17th from 11:30am – 1:30pm., which will provide Scooter’s Place the exposure to serve many more riders, as they just expanded to a 65-acre ranch.
_____________________________
As important as our volunteers and our riders are, we could not do what we do without the loving support of our donors.
Your support, through monetary or product donations is important to our mission to make sure that no rider gets left behind and that all our horses are well cared for as valued members of our Scooter’s family.