Christian’s Story- from “All Things Real Estate” Vol.III, Issue 7 Newsletter

By Lawrence Becerra, Co-Founder, Las Campanas Compadres

Las Campanas Compadres offers therapeutic riding and swimming lessons to people with special needs at the world class facilities of The Club at Las Campanas. Lessons are free and 100 percent supported by private donations.

25-year-old Christian Woodard has Down’s Syndrome and has been a student in the program since its inception in 2006. Christian participates in the both the equestrian and swimming programs. Christian’s mother, Lynn, told us, “Christian’s riding skills have improved significantly. He is much more comfortable with horses, and he loves the social interaction. Karen is an extremely capable and experienced teacher. Dave Caldwell, the awesome swimming instructor, encourages Christian both physically and emotionally. Because of Dave’s guidance, Christian had the confidence to swim with Special Olympics this summer. In July, Christian won two blue ribbons for backstroke and freestyle at the area meet. He will participate in the state meet in Farmington in August.”

Last summer Christian worked at The Club at Las Campanas golf course.  Jason Epstein, Director of Golf at the Club, and his employees were very supportive and Christian made many friends. This employment opportunity provided Christian with additional social/work skills and the beneficial experience as a member of a team.  LCC’s mini tri fundraising event has been a particularly wonderful experience for Christian, where this year he will participate for the fifth time as his team’s swimmer. Teammate John “Mad Dog” Romero will run in his motorized wheel chair with Lawrence Becerra, co-founder of the foundation, in a team coined “The Duds.”

“We were supposed to be called the Dudes,” explains Christian, “but Lawrence left out the ‘e’ in our race application and the name just stuck!”

Christian is very dedicated to his fundraising activities — he talks up the program to family, colleagues, and local realtors.

For the past four years Las Campanas Compadres has held the mini tri fundraising event on the grounds of The Club at Las Campanas. This is the charity’s only fund raising event and its success ensures the continuation of this worthwhile program. This year’s event will be held on Labor Day, September 2, with expectations for 200 participants. To learn more about the event, or the program and how you can help, please visit www.lascampanascompadres.org.

 

This is the third in a four-part series of (Sotheby’s International Real Estate “All Things Real Estate”) articles about this local and worthy charity which offers therapeutic horseback riding and swimming lessons to people with special needs.

2013 Mini-Tri Auction Items— Live on the LCC Website!!!

Get Excited!!!

Amazing Auction Items

are listed and available for you to bid on

to benefit LCC!

HOW:

Go to the Las Campanas Compadres website:

http://lascampanascompadres.org/

See the lower right side of the LCC web page

for the exciting items generous people donated

to benefit

the Las Campanas Compadres therapeutic riding and swimming programs!

Travel, Golf, Art, Salon Treatments,Vacation Getaways, Fabulous Food, Electronics, Furnishings, Wine, Gift Certificates for Fine Cars, Clothing and Jewelry

The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding – One Student’s Story

Las Campanas Compadres offers therapeutic riding and swimming lessons to people with special needs at the world-class facilities of The Club at Las Campanas. Lessons are free and 100 percent supported by private donations.
John Romero has been a student since the program’s beginning. Both John and his mother, Darlene, serve on the charity’s board. John is 24 years old. He has cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, and scoliosis.

Darlene tells us, “The rocking movement of riding a horse motivates John to come out of ‘stuck’ patterns which usually keep him from moving freely. Sitting upright and having to use his core strengthens his trunk.”

John tells us, “It was really exciting for me when LCC purchased a special saddle that allows me to ride more independently. I can hold the reins and ride the horse instead of going for a ride on a horse. That’s exciting. I took the saddle to an assistive technology seminar I was co-teaching and presented it as an effective assistive technology device that makes riding possible and even more enjoyable for people with disabilities.”

Darlene tells us, “Putting aside the many hippotherapy benefits, John simply has fun and looks forward to a good time with his LCC volunteers and teacher, who he calls his ‘posse’. Because the LCC programs include setting goals and practicing skills, John consistently experiences feelings of accomplishment. Riding boosts his self-esteem and gives him confidence to set goals in other areas of his life.”

Currently John is pursuing a media arts certificate, is a videography volunteer during the summer with Pandemonium Productions, is a LCC board member, and represents LCC in the community to promote its programs.

John tells us, “I feel like I can do what I need to do. Sometimes I don’t succeed at school or other activities. But when I can go to the LCC programs, I feel 100 percent better because there, I do succeed.”

For the past four years, Las Campanas Compadres has held a mini tri fundraising event on the grounds of The Club at Las Campanas. This is the charity’s only fundraising event and its success ensures the continuation of this worthwhile program. This year’s event will be held on Labor Day, September 2. Expectations are for 200 participants.

To learn more about the event, or the program and how you can help, please visit www.lascampanascompadres.org.

This is the second in a four-part series of articles about this local and worthy charity which offers therapeutic horseback riding and swimming lessons to people with special needs.

Written by Lawrence Becerra for Sotheby’s “All Things Real Estate” Volume III, Issue 6 newsletter