Fighting to get back in the saddle - The Mail & Guardian

These are the defiant words Philippa Johnson-Dwyer lives by.

Before this terrible tragedy, Johnson-Dwyer was a promising dressage rider born into a love for horses. The devastating car crash jolted her promising career as one of the country’s top young dressage riders to a halt, painfully yanking from her life in one go two of the people most precious to her. It was chilling news, but the doctors didn’t quite account for Johnson-Dwyer’s strong will, personality, and her love for horses and riding.

“When the doctors said I’m never going to ride again, my father said, ‘Don’t worry sweetheart, you will ride again.’ Because he had been through it, stared death in the face, survived, and got back on a horse again, I believed him,” says Johnson-Dwyer. Gradually, though, she came to terms with her disability, and forced her way into the South African para dressage team for an international show in Belgium in 2002, the first para equestrian team South Africa sent to an international event.

After their surprise silvers in Athens, Benedict and Philippa were a “complete force” in 2008, winning every international show they participated in, including the gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in the individual test and freestyle categories. Whereas Benedict gently treated his riders as if he were “carrying porcelain”, Lord Louis is a different kettle of fish altogether. “Lord Louis is a German redhead; he’s got a mind of his own,” says Johnson-Dwyer.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

We fail children living with disabilities - The Mail & GuardianDespite commendable work and persistent battles, not enough is being done for these learners
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

4.6 million people, one psychologist: The Central African Republic's mental health crisis - The Mail & GuardianMeet the Central African Republic’s only practising clinical psychologist South Africa soon
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

Battle of the bands proves a more soothing gang option - The Mail & GuardianJoin Bands, Not Gangs has had to rely on donations to teach young children to play instruments to escape crime, gangsterism and drug abuse
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

Another blow for crisis-ridden Prasa - The Mail & GuardianAdding to the debt-ridden state entity’s woes, the rail agency now faces prosecution for anti-competitive conduct regarding bus terminals and services
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

One case is no reason to panic, says communicable disease control - The Mail & GuardianBut take the threat seriously and prepare for a community outbreak, says professor Cheryl Cohen
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

Dance to diagnosis: The app that can diagnose Parkinson’s - The Mail & GuardianBy seeing how people move, the app can tell if they are in the first stages of the neurological disorder
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »