In February of this year, I had the honor of being asked to write the foreword for a new young adult nonfiction biography being written by children’s author Michelle Guerrero. When I first met Michelle she was working with former Reeve Foundation grantee, Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship in Scottsdale, Arizona. Camelot’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through programs of horsemanship and outdoor education, which develop self-worth, independence, and active participation in the community.
As a Grantmaker, I remember being intrigued by the name of the organization and impressed as I learned about the amazing services that Camelot offers free of charge to individuals living with disabilities. Although their riders aren’t charged for lessons, they’re encouraged to pay it forward through mentorship or other community service-related activities.
Michelle told me that she was writing a book based on the life of Eileen Szychowski, Camelot’s founder. Eileen was the first mounted ranger in the National Park Service to have a physical disability. I was immediately enthralled. But that first surge of excitement was nowhere close to what I felt after having read a draft of the novel! I was blown away!