In 1997, doctors removed a tumor from Theresa Batchelor’s neck before it nearly severed her spinal cord. Though the surgery went well, doctors told her she’d likely never walk again. Batchelor, however, chose to take that diagnosis as a suggested hypothesis rather than the ultimate truth. She plunged herself into physical therapy, and via miraculous willpower and unwavering support, regained use of her arms and legs. Her daily life was still riddled with pain and doctors warned her against partaking in activities that might jolt her neck out of place.
Old favorites like rollerblading and horseback riding were now out of the question. One day, though, while watching her children enjoy a horseback riding lesson, she felt compelled to get back on a horse. She risked paralysis for a chance at happiness — and that choice has completely changed the course of her life. A few weeks later, she and her family adopted and rehabilitated Beauty, an abused mare. The experience slowly spiraled them into the opening and operating their own animal rescue, Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, four years later.
Scroll through our gallery to learn how one little horse completely transformed her new owners’ lives for the better. Back in 1997, doctors removed a tumor from Theresa Batchelor’s neck that was threatening to sever her spine. While the surgery was successful, Batchelor’s doctors firmly believed she’d never walk again. Batchelor, though, determined to prove them wrong, dove straight into physical therapy. After devoted work, she amazingly regained the use of both her arms and legs.
However, she still had proprioception — a condition requiring that she look directly at her limbs to know where they were in relation to the rest of her body, as she had no feeling below her neck. Moreover, doctors warned her against partaking in activities that might shift her spine around too much. Tragically, this meant she could no longer enjoy one of her all-time favorite pastimes — horseback riding. But all happened couldn’t keep her away from her passion. She is still spending her life around horses and is helping them to rehabilitation. Such an inspiration.
