| | Autism Society | FORWARD THIS EMAIL | DONATE Life With Autism is a new series of inspirational and informative stories about those who are touched by autism.
The new nonfiction book, “The Horse Boy” by Rupert Isaacson and published by Little, Brown, shares the inspiring story of how Isaacson and his wife learned to think of their son’s autism as a beginning rather than an end. It is a book that empowers families living with autism to dare to dream of a better quality of life and to search for and choose compre-hensive treatments for their children that uncover their potential. One family's autism journey... and a horse named Betsy
When his son Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson was devastated. No matter which doctors they saw or therapies they tried, Rowan could not connect with the people around him. He did not respond when spoken to, even when asked simple questions.
One day, a chance event began an amazing journey. Rowan ran off from his father’s side across a field, and into the middle of a herd of horses. Fearing that Rowan would be trampled as he lay on the ground near the hooves of a dominant mare named Betsy, Rupert rushed after him — and then stopped in his tracks. Far from attacking the boy, Betsy was lowering her head before Rowan in submission. Awed, Rupert asked Rowan, “Do you want to get up?”
“Up,” Rowan answered.
Rupert began giving Rowan horseback rides with Betsy. Seated on Betsy, Rowan almost immediately became more verbal and articulate, and his involuntary movements subsided. And as he rode, his father wondered if there were more mysteries to be uncovered about Rowan’s capabilities. Using that first moment with Betsy as a springboard, Rupert began a journey to find healing for Rowan — that culminated in a family trip across the Central Asian country of Mongolia to visit with local shamans, or spiritual leaders.
“My book isn’t really saying that horses cure autism,” Rupert says. “It’s saying we found a way. You don’t have to go to Mongolia. It’s just that our particular story was that.”
On their journey, Rupert and his wife learned that opening their minds to the potential of different treatments paid off. Rowan made unbelievable progress. And when they returned to Texas, they established The Horse Boy Foundation, which runs a small learning and equestrian center called The New Trails Center in Elgin, Texas, just outside of Austin.
Rupert says, “I feel immensely honored to be working with the Autism Society. Ever since my son was diagnosed, our local Autism Society chapter has been there for us, offering advice, support, news, and advocating for all of us autism parents at both the state and at the national level. I hope that together we’re bringing awareness and empowerment to families struggling, as we all are, with autism.” Learn more about the book at http://www.horseboymovie.com/.
To find horse therapy/hippotherapy programs in the United States, visit the Autism Society’s referral database at http://www.autismsource.org/ | | The Autism Society is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization and exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Visit our website to learn more about our many innovative programs and services.
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