PATH INTERNATIONAL
Member of the Month: Audrey Adamson
Audrey Adamson’s name might be familiar to PATH Intl. members living in the southeast as she is the PATH Intl. Region 5 membership outreach committee representative. Region 5 encompasses Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Africa and the Caribbean Islands.
Audrey first joined PATH Intl. in 2001 (then NARHA). She was doing her internships in both psychology and nonprofit management at a local nonprofit center. She fell in love with the kids and the horses, saying, “It was almost magical to see the change the horses helped the riders with. I had never wanted to be a therapist and sit in an office. This was perfect for me! My advisor in psychology knew me well and my desire to work with children. He suggested a local center for my psychology practicum. My local center was a non-profit so I was able to combine both internships. I learned so much about how a nonprofit works, but the most exciting part was watching the children I worked with bloom.”
Her favorite thing about being in the EAAT community is giving hope. “I love sharing about EAAT and bringing in new riders who thought they wouldn't find something fun they could do. I love seeing the hope in the riders’ eyes as they build self-confidence. The look of hope in the parents' eyes when they realize there is something tailored to their child and that they would be able to succeed.”
Unlike many of the instructors we’ve profiled, Audrey says, “Being a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor is my first career. I started in college. I am also certified in nonprofit management so I spend a lot of time managing programs and writing grants.”
Something we’d be surprised to learn about Audrey? “When I am not dealing with EAAT or grant writing, I am very nerdy. I love books, movies and TV shows. I like to go to Dragon Con every year and hang out with people who love pop culture. Most people don't see that coming when they meet me!”
She says, “I have several favorite horses. It is hard to choose between the 34 year old quarter horse mare who gave her life to EAAT and a grumpy little pony. Since my pony story is a little more personal, I'll share that one. Baba is a paint pony who is allergic to everything! Because of this, the center had to make so many changes to his environment and feed. Even managing his conditions, he was grumpy! But he was more like the internet sensation Grumpy Cat; he looks a lot grumpier than he acts. He is a good pony and works diligently in classes. I had a special relationship with Baba. I would go to see him just rub on him. He loved that I would scratch the right places. He was one of my favorite to ride, because I was a nervous rider and had chronic pain of my own. I understood him and he understood me. It always made my day when I came in the barn and I would be the one he was happy to see. Because of my own issues and his reponse to those, I knew what he did with his riders. He understood and worked through his issues to help them with theirs.”
We asked Audrey to tell us about a favorite participant. “This is such a horrible question! It's hard to pick a favorite participant. But I can tell you my favorite story. One of the first riders I instructed was an 11 year old boy with cerebral palsy. I taught him on and off for about 7 years. In that time, he started moving around with a walker and improving his gait. He invited me to his high school graduation. I went and sat with his family and my fellow instructor. He came on stage in his electric wheel chair, but as they called his name, an assistant provided support and he walked across the stage for his diploma. I was in tears. Afterwards I asked him why he didn't tell me. He told me that he wanted to surprise me because I was one of the reasons he could walk across that stage.”
A life lesson she had to learn the hard way? “I deal with a chronic illness. As I have talked with other PATH Intl. members, I have seen that many instructors have special needs as well. I have experienced discrimination personally and I would love to become an advocate for instructors.”
“The biggest advice I can offer (fellow PATH Intl. Members} is to roll with the punches. We are trained to create a lesson plan and provide objective results. This is a great base but life will happen. Don't think you are a bad instructor. Being flexible is being a good instructor. Stay calm and go with the flow. Help each rider be their best even it means diverting from the lesson plan.”
Her wildest dream for the next 50 years of PATH Intl. and EAAT? “I want a world that knows EAAT and respects it as both an intervention and recreation. I would love for the world to see and understand. PATH Intl. is working toward these goals but it will take time and there will be bumps, but it will be better. One day, EAAT will be a household phrase and instructors will be respected for their unique skills and talents. When I wear my PATH Intl. logo I feel like part of a team. I feel professional and like someone who can be respected.” You are a professional Audrey and we thank and respect you!
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