'Not going to let it stop me': Paralyzed rider back in the saddle
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ENUMCLAW, Wash. -- Melanie Christianson was one of the state's top horse riders when she fell off of her horse.
It happened during a baton pass two years ago. The daring move involves two horses and their riders charging at a full gallop toward each other, then passing within inches. But instead of passing, Christianson and her teammate collided.
"I could just remember catapulting into the air and knowing when I land, it wasn't going to be good," said Christianson.
Christianson fractured her fifth and sixth vertebrae, and bruised her spinal cord. She was paralyzed. And knowing her horse-riding days were behind her, she was overwhelmed with sadness.
"It's my everything. It's what I've only done. I don't know any different. I have to ride to be happy," she said.
She had seen actor Christopher Reeve's valiant efforts following his riding accident, and she was inspired to take action.
She learned about a paralyzed rider in Texas who developed a special saddle. He eventually made one for her.
It now takes four people to get Christianson situated in her high-backed saddle, which has a belt that keeps her strapped in.
Once on the saddle, a feeling of lightness overtakes her.
"I feel free. I feel like he's doing the walking for me," she said of her horse. "If I can't move my legs, he can do the walking for me."
The reins fit over Christianson's wrists since she doesn't yet have full use of her fingers.
"I'm telling him, neck reining, telling him to go with my arms," she said.
She used to fly down the arena on her horse. Finding an easier pace has taken some adjustment.
"It's different," she said. "It's hard because I want to go fast."
Whatever her pace, Christianson's mother is her biggest booster.
"I was so scared at first, but now she seems so confident in it that really, it's exciting, exhilarating to see her do this," said Roxanne Christianson.
Trail-riding is Melanie Christianson's first goal. Next, she'll focus on returning to the gaming arena.
"I may not be as competitive as I was before, but I'm not going to let it stop me," she said.
She also hopes to return to her career as a property specialist for the Federal Aviation Association in the near future.
She is filled with determination, but Melanie Christianson admits overcoming the paralysis is slow-going. She dearly hopes researchers will find a cure.
In the meantime, she is back in the saddle again.
It happened during a baton pass two years ago. The daring move involves two horses and their riders charging at a full gallop toward each other, then passing within inches. But instead of passing, Christianson and her teammate collided.
"I could just remember catapulting into the air and knowing when I land, it wasn't going to be good," said Christianson.
Christianson fractured her fifth and sixth vertebrae, and bruised her spinal cord. She was paralyzed. And knowing her horse-riding days were behind her, she was overwhelmed with sadness.
"It's my everything. It's what I've only done. I don't know any different. I have to ride to be happy," she said.
She had seen actor Christopher Reeve's valiant efforts following his riding accident, and she was inspired to take action.
She learned about a paralyzed rider in Texas who developed a special saddle. He eventually made one for her.
It now takes four people to get Christianson situated in her high-backed saddle, which has a belt that keeps her strapped in.
Once on the saddle, a feeling of lightness overtakes her.
"I feel free. I feel like he's doing the walking for me," she said of her horse. "If I can't move my legs, he can do the walking for me."
The reins fit over Christianson's wrists since she doesn't yet have full use of her fingers.
"I'm telling him, neck reining, telling him to go with my arms," she said.
She used to fly down the arena on her horse. Finding an easier pace has taken some adjustment.
"It's different," she said. "It's hard because I want to go fast."
Whatever her pace, Christianson's mother is her biggest booster.
"I was so scared at first, but now she seems so confident in it that really, it's exciting, exhilarating to see her do this," said Roxanne Christianson.
Trail-riding is Melanie Christianson's first goal. Next, she'll focus on returning to the gaming arena.
"I may not be as competitive as I was before, but I'm not going to let it stop me," she said.
She also hopes to return to her career as a property specialist for the Federal Aviation Association in the near future.
She is filled with determination, but Melanie Christianson admits overcoming the paralysis is slow-going. She dearly hopes researchers will find a cure.
In the meantime, she is back in the saddle again.
Way to to Melanie! Congratulations to you to get back on and follow your dreams!  I fractured L4, 5, &6 as a kid and feel fortunate to be walking.  The injury still continues to be an issue even 30 years later, but I understand the freedom horses give.  I wish you well on your trail riding and luck in the gamin arena. Â
Gives new meaning to the term "get back in the saddle". What an inspiration! I hope your recovery continues!
Incredible. Had a bad spill off a horse when I was 7. It took me years to get over my fear, but I finally did, and went on to break 2 fillies to ride out of their momma, my Eastern Tennessee Walker. Commendable that you are back in that saddle again!Â
Amazing courage and determination! She's an inspiration to anybody facing an uphill battle.
As someone who has Cerebral Palsy and an SCI (incomplete C-7 quadriplegic) I took up horseback riding as therapy in the late 1970s. I ride on occasion still, and when I ride I use a specialty built English saddle. (She's riding on a Western saddle.) I'm so happy to see she's "back in the saddle". Horseback riding is great therapy, she should be able to regain her strength in her back and upper body, and hopefully soon, she'll be able to hold her self up, and ride pretty much independently. Keep at it Melanie, I hope to see you on the trails, someday. :)
What happened to the other rider?
@cansl91 Nothing. The other rider was shaken up, but was fine.
WOW Melanie - You GO girl!! Never ever give up!!! (Ride some for me because I can't anymore)
What happened to the horses that collided?
 @jenshens Nothing happened to the horses ot the other Rider, Just Melanie!
 @jenshens Don't steal her victim thunder. She's a hero. Killing or maiming a couple of innocent animals shouldn't count against her because she's a victim. And a hero. How dare you suggest she should be jailed for animal cruelty every bit as much as someone who throws a litter of puppies off a bridge? After all, she's a victim. And, of course, a hero.
 @wysoumible  What an angry friend you must be!
 @wysoumible  Wow. What's up your *ss? As a fellow horse owner/rider I can tell you if our horses get hurt/killed in an accident (which this was pure and simple) we are heartbroken - as heartbroken as if a human loved one were hurt. Get over yourself.
 @Jill  @Julia  @wysoumible The Horses are athletes that love what they do, its like a race horse that gets hurt, or a  rodeo rider gets hurt, its what they do, nobody wants an accident, these horses and riders compete at State and Interstate Levels. They are cared for very very much. every precaution is taken for horse and rider.
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 @Julia  @wysoumible Perhaps wysoumible's point was that if the animals were so deeply cared for, why were they made to run towards each other at (forgive the expression) breakneck speed? With these sorts of maneuvers, it can't come as a surprise that injuries would occur.
@wysoumible uh, huh? I suggested she killed/maimed an animal? Wow, what a leap you made!! I want to know, and I think it should be reported, what happened to the animals involved. That's all.
@MargeGunderson @wysoumible Thank you Marge. Upon re-reading, I can actually see how wysoumible could have been 'backhandedly' agreeing with me! I guess we'll never know! But I hope you are correct. I've been admiring many of wysoumible's posts for several years and was totally taken aback by her/his response to my post. You've given me hope that I was not mistaken!
 @jenshens  @wysoumible I think your sarcasm meter briefly malfunctioned, jenshens. I inferred that wysoumible agrees with you that it's an significant part of the story that was not addressed.Â
@jenshens Don't feed it too mcuh, hopefully we can starve it to death, there is hope. I think that it should shorten it's screen name to "bile", as that would fit the nature of most of its posts.
@wysoumible Just a suggestion, but you might want to speak to your doctor about upping your meds........... You'd be much less angry and less prone to unfounded attacks on others.   There, now I've fed the troll. I'll stop now! :)
@Otterpopnation Thank you!
@jenshens Melanie's horse was stiff and sore from the incident but recovered with some time off. The other rider's horse also recovered. No broken bones.
Good for you!
She gives me hope! I too had a horseback riding accident, and was hurt badly. I still haven't gotten on a horse yet, the heart is willing, but the fear is still there of falling and hitting my head and I don't have anymore bones to spare. I wish the best and will cheer her on.
 @Jo Eller Good luck to you when it's your time!  Conquering your fear may give you some peace, even if you only do it once, as justme stated. Â
@Jo Eller don't give up the idea - "get back on the horse" even if only for one time....quit on your terms not on the accident's terms. you can do one more time i bet !