“Its going to do wonders for their confidence:” Blind Youth getting memorable horse back riding experience

SALISBURY, Md.- Smiling kids a part of the Blind Industries and Services Maryland’s Summer Camp trotted their way around Kindred Spirit Farm in Salisbury.

Doing activities in nature and learning what it takes to saddle up and ride a horse.

“I was talking a lot all day because I was excited to see the horses and I didn’t want it to end,” Rylee Price, a camper, said.

“As someone who grew up blind, there were some activities that I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in so actually seeing the youth be exposed to this I think its going to do wonders for their confidence,” Nikki Jackson, BISM’s Communication Manager, said.

The summer program is designed to help kids get camp experience by learning some non-visual skills.

“We do a lot of braille, we use the canes, and I learn how to make food so I’m not useless when I get older,” Price said.

We’re told the blind youth don’t always get the opportunity to participate in camp activities, especially because some people feel they can’t do certain things.

“I think the biggest challenge is others misconceptions, I think sometimes the children get left out of activities or maybe not even considered because there’s this misconception that oh they are blind how are they going to do it,” Jackson said.

For, camper Rylee Price she said people often doubt her and feel sorry for her.

But, that doesn’t stop her from doing new things.

“I told this kid about my vision, and he went and told a teacher and he’s like that’s sad and she said I always make the best of it and I try to because I can’t feel bad about it,” Price said.

We’re told because of misconceptions it’s important to expose kids to activities like horse back riding.

Showing them that they are no different than their peers.

Price adding being able to share these experiences with people like her makes it even better.

“I like being in a community where its not just me the only one who has a problem with seeing,” Price said.

The camp said this is something they would like to do again in the future.