Driving Magic is Magical for the Kids

driving magicHere is a picture of Malik (visually impaired) from CVI loving the feel of Schatzi, Schatzi seems to enjoy Malik’s loving too.

Here is what Driving Magic is all about as copied directly from their website, which can be seen by clicking here.  Driving Magic. Inc. began as a group of people with a passion for providing equine-assisted recreational therapy. All had been volunteers, board members and/or participants in therapeutic riding and carriage driving programs for 8-12 years. Because of the unique benefits of carriage driving for the disabled, especially for pre-teens through senior adults, and the limited availability for this type of service in Georgia we turned our passion into a business on July 1, 2004. Driving Magic, Inc. has five instructors certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and an additional NARHA Instructor-In-Training. In 2005, we enhanced our services by offering work skills days for adults with developmental disabilities and an “Execs on the Farm” program which offers businesses the opportunity for team building events through volunteering with our program. And we began construction of a carriage driving-centric sensory integration trail in early 2007.

Thanks so much to the Lindskoog Family for donations to Driving Magic you have made in the past.  We’re having our 6th Annual BBQ and Auction fund raiser on November 14.  As you can imagine, the tight economy has made it difficult for us to raise enough funds to fully support the program and all it’s activities.  One thing that is extremely helpful to DMI, is horse sponsorships.  Funders tend to think of our horses as overhead expense rather than teaching aids — which is what they truly are and therefore it’s difficult to get funds to support their costs.  We can’t do what we do without our horses!  We’ve suggested that either individuals or family groups send a regular payment to DMI to sponsor the care of a horse.  The key here is “regularly scheduled” so that we know how to budget each month’s or quarter’s expenses.  It’s an idea that perhaps some of the family might consider and hopefully would not be a financial burden if done in a group.  Hopefully some would be willing to commit to a year or even an on-going basis.  Another alternative is “In Lieu of flowers” — rather than sending someone flowers in memory or honor, think of Driving Magic and make a donation to DMI.  You’ll see some  more ideas of simple ways to help Driving magic on page 3 of The Hitching PostDonations can be sent to Driving Magic, Inc., P.O. Box 279, Duluth, GA 30096. I will tell you that my experience working with people who have disabilities [as a NARHA  certified driving instructor] has given me such a sense of fulfillment and fun that I’ve never before experienced.  Nice to say when one is now 65 years old!!!  If you ever come to Atlanta we’d love for you to see DMI in action. Click here to see a copy of Driving Magic Inc.’s brochure.

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Pat Tresness
If an ongoing contribution doesn’t seem to fit what the Lindskoog’s would like to do, I’m thinking that setting up a page for the Lindskoogs on yourcause.com would be another avenue.  If everyone sent to their distribution lists and each one contributed something toward a Lindskoog goal of say…$5,000 to fund a particular aspect of the program (e.g., our cost of delivering workshops to Hi Hope Center and Creative Enterprises) that would be a God-send.  FYI, Gwinnett County just pulled 100% of their funding for most of the Gwinnett County supported non-profits.  Hi Hope Center, a residential and day program for adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, depends on those government funds and now they have been completely yanked.  If we could raise the $$ to cover their cost (the tuition our participants pay represents <7% of the actual cost of delivering the services) and ours of hosting all Hi Hope and Creative Enterprises workshops annually, for example, that would benefit so many and be a ray of sunshine in the lives of adults who need it so much.  As I expressed to the non-profit CEO roundtable today (and had resounding agreement from my counterparts); adults with disabilities, especially those who are severe, are so forgotten when it comes to services and funding. They don’t look “cute” for brochures, they require so many more resources to provide services safely; those that are severe may even have behavioral aspects that can be difficult for our society to understand, whether it is spitting or lashing out or yelling or taking several minutes to process a single thought or sound. They don’t understand why they do those things either, but I have seen amazing results when services such as ours are used to build skills, encourage independence and empowerment, and enable these [young though senior] adults to feel a bit a freedom and fun.  Ok, now I’ll step off of my soapbox to say that any support the Lindskoog family can give to enable us to create even a few magic moments in the lives of our participants would be greatly appreciated.
Jennifer Lindskoog
Jennifer, Let us know when you’ve got the yourcause.com setup and I’ll let the Lindskoog Family & their e-mail distribution lists know, then it’ll be so easy to contribute, there’ll be no excuse at all.  Pat & Jennifer have been with Driving Magic Inc. forever, they work tirelessly to keep this most worthwhile program going, all they’re asking from us is a little bit of money, hard to imagine asking Swedes for money, but all kidding aside, tell your friends & family how they can make a difference, by donating to Driving Magic Inc.  I feel honored to be connected to DMI through Pat & Jennifer, also to know that each of you will dig deep into your pockets, where the big bills are, and send some money down south today.