Raya was a troubled teen with a long history of petty crimes, such as shoplifting, driving over the speed limit, credit card fraud, and some drug charges. When she turned seventeen, her crimes increased to robbery. She wasn’t really involved, but she helped with getting rid of some of the stolen items. She was brought before the judge, who reviewed her case history and identified a pattern beginning to emerge. If something didn’t change quickly, Raya was at risk of a life of crime. The judge decided to send her to a wilderness therapy camp in southern Texas.
Her mom was advised to take her from a neighboring state and drive her to the dry area of southern Texas, less than twenty miles from the border. This was a well-known program with many successes. Raya’s mom was impressed by the counselor who met them when they arrived, the intake process, and the introduction. Together, they visited her room and met her two roommates.
Raya and her mom ate lunch together, met the medical staff and other counselors, and learned about the variety of different programs that the camp offered. Raya was talkative during the drive down but became slightly withdrawn during the first half of the day. After meeting a few other “campers,” she opened up a little and was more talkative. They learned it was a four-week program with adventure, exercise, learning, and more. They would discuss CPR, ropes courses, equine therapy, group therapy, rock climbing, yoga, water sports, and much more.
When Raya’s mom bid her farewell that afternoon, she left hopeful that some progress could be made.
For two weeks, Raya participated at varying levels. Most days, she saw some value in what she was learning and what was being taught. She formed friendships, spoke with other kids, and planned what she would do when she got out.
She injured her arm during the second week while rock climbing. She had a strained shoulder and some abrasions. The two nurses who came during the days and weekends helped clean up her shoulder, and she was given a sling. Five days later, she felt better and no longer needed the sling.
She enjoyed time at the lake and loved getting a sun tan. It did get hot during the day and was coolish at night. The third week started, and Raya and her group would have three straight days of equine therapy. She learned that working with animals helps deal with trauma and pain. The barn was large, and the property had six main horses. One was getting over an injury, so she couldn’t be ridden, but she still needed care. She learned that equine therapy deals mainly with caring for the horses rather than riding them. But, if they succeeded at caring for the animals, they would be allowed to ride them on the third day.
Additional equine therapy could also be given in their fourth week, during the elective portion of the wilderness camp for half a day twice. Raya met Charlie, a large black and white patterned Gypsy Horse. This horse was intelligent and kind and loved being around people. Raya took to Charlie immediately. She learned to clean up, brush, and saddle the horse. She had never had an animal before, so this was nice.
Raya watched as others rode Charlie after she prepared him. Raya also worked with the other horses, and although she enjoyed all of them, she loved Charlie. Many other kids met and played with Chalie, but Raya felt a connection.
On the third day, Raya earned the right to ride Charlie. She had never been on a horse before. It took an hour to learn how to get on and off and help Charlie to move, stop, and even gallop. After an hour, she felt like she was an expert, but Raya was smart enough to know that she didn’t know everything.
Three students would ride out together and come back. They would be together on a designated trail. If there was trouble, they could find their way back easily enough. The goal was to learn self-reliance, confidence, and trust. It was a great activity.
Raya and Charlie excelled at the walk. Charlie led the group, and the other two horses followed. Some other students enjoyed this portion, some hated it, but no one loved it as much as Raya. She knew she had found something she would take into her home life. It took about thirty minutes to go out and back. The path was smooth, with minimal trees that got in the way, but the sun was hot.
When Raya and Charlie returned, one of the counselors, Ricky, must have noticed the smile on Raya’s face because they asked if she wanted to lead the next group. She replied, “Of course.” She went back for a second and third time.
She dismounted Charlie, got some food and drink, and returned to watch the others. The following few riders struggled, even getting lost. Ricky grabbed a horse, went out, found the group, and led them back. It was growing late in the afternoon. There was one last group to go to, and they asked Raya to join them. She readily agreed.
Everything started out like the last three times she went. She didn’t take a single moment on Charlie for granted. When they reached the far end, something unexpected happened. A large snake came out and must’ve spooked Charlie because soon she was galloping away. She bucked once, twice, and a third time. Raya was thrown from Charlie, and she landed hard on her left side. When she hit, she thought she heard something pop. Her breath was rushed out of her, and she rolled over, grabbing her shoulder, and trying to catch her breath. After a minute or two, the pain wasn’t going away, and it was becoming more difficult for her to breathe.
Charlie ran off the instant Raya fell off, but after a few minutes, Charlie returned to where Raya lay on the ground.
Raya glanced up, seeing Charlie, and felt better. She muttered, “You came back for me.”
Five minutes later, Raya knew that something terrible had happened. She started coughing, and blood came out onto her hand. Soon, Ricky, the counselor, arrived, having been summoned by the other riders. Raya was in a lot of pain, and it took an incredible amount of effort to get her back onto Charlie. The horse seemed to sense the pain, but they needed to get back to camp.
Charlie moved forward as softly as he could. Raya felt every step and crunch of the ground, but she knew it could have been far worse.
The counselor called for an ambulance, which was waiting for them when they returned to camp.
The paramedic asked, “What happened?”
Raya could barely speak.
Ricky answered, “Looks like she got bucked off the horse. She tells me her shoulder hurts, and she’s having trouble breathing.”
Instantly, an oxygen mask was placed on the patient, which helped a little. The ambulance sped off to the local hospital, but it became clear along the way that the hospital was not suited for this type of injury.
When they arrived, instead of going inside, they went directly to the helicopter pad, with the blades whirling. Raya was loaded inside, and they lifted off.
“I’m Nurse Aaron,” said the flight nurse. “How are you feeling?”
All Raya could do was shake her head.
The nurse listened to her lungs and didn’t like what he heard. “Your lungs are filling with fluid, likely blood. I’m going to have to insert a chest tube.”
Raya passed out when the nurse was performing the procedure.
Sometime later, Raya woke up feeling worse than she had ever felt. Her shoulder was on fire, as was her chest, and she had something helping her breathe. In a matter of minutes, after waking, a nurse and a doctor entered her room. They hurried to the machine next to her bed. They spoke, and Raya thought that the tube in her mouth would be removed. A second nurse or respiratory therapist entered twenty minutes later, consulted with the doctor, and the tube helping her breathing was removed.
Sucking air in on her own was painful, but so was everything else.
The doctor came to her bedside and explained, “I’m Doctor Simmons. You are at the hospital. When you landed on your side, you broke some ribs. One of the ribs broke off and punctured your lung. That is called a Pneumothorax, which can be a life-threatening emergency.”
Raya concentrated, trying to understand everything.
“That’s what happened. Blood was filling up your lung, and they placed a chest tube. When you arrived at our hospital, you were in terrible shape. Fortunately, we were able to get you to surgery. We stabilized the fracture and cleaned out your lung. You are much better, but everything isn’t smooth sailing. Your mom is on her way, and we will watch you to ensure you don’t get an infection.”
Raya stayed in the hospital for a week. She made a full recovery, but she admitted it was the worst pain she had ever felt. She was lucky to be alive. Her love for horses never diminished. Once released from the hospital, she went back to see Charlie. When she got home, she found a local equine therapy program, continued through it, and graduated, becoming a therapist herself.
One horse and a life-threatening moment changed her life forever.
