Marie's Remarkable Journey
Marie is a 61 year old participant at HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc and has four decades of experience as a registered nurse. She dedicated much of her career to being both an ER and dialysis nurse and obtained certification in both specialties. She served as a commissioned officer for six years in the US Army Reserve Nurse Corp —including deployment to Texas and Washington DC during Operation Desert Storm, Marie was the first reservist to report at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Most recently working as the Health Supervisor at Tamarack Hospital in Hayward, WI.
Her active working life abruptly ended on March 19, 2024, when she sustained a stroke. Marie spent a month at Aspirus St Luke’s Rehab Floor receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Although the staff provided excellent care, her prognosis was initially for limited mobility, probable lifelong reliance on walking assistance, and total loss of movement in her left arm. Fully aware of the possible challenges due to her medical background, Marie chose to focus on what could go right rather than what could go wrong.
Not ready to retire, uncertain of her future and feeling as though her identity was lost, she continued to dream about returning to horseback riding—a lifelong passion. Throughout her 6 months of excellent outpatient rehabilitation physical therapy, and year of outpatient occupational therapy she envisioned the day she could ride again. Since childhood, Marie had cared for horses, participated in 4-H, and found joy in maintaining her family barn, a place that brought her peace and comfort throughout her life.
Returning to horseback wasn’t her only goal. She was forced to sell her own home in November of 2024, having to move into her daughter’s home when living independently was no longer an option. This time was bittersweet, Marie was a new grandma, she desperately wanted to hold her granddaughter, to simply sit on the floor and play without worrying how to get back up. A friend had been involved in equine therapy, and she began to wonder if maybe this could be her way forward?
She began therapeutic horsemanship at HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. in May of 2025 and immediately felt empowered by her first ride. She teared up recalling the memory of her first time back in the saddle, the relaxation she felt in her body, and the peace and hope for healing she felt in her heart. The personal attention to her safety and wellbeing provided by the staff and volunteers makes her feel like family.
As a veteran nurse, she was an exemplary patient, but even her occupational therapist noticed increased arm and hand mobility when she began working with Hooves of Joy, Inc. She has now regained 50-75% of the use of her left arm. She credits the range of motion exercises incorporated in her lessons to improve her mounting and dismounting that Joy works with her on to her success as much as the actual horseback riding. In and out of her lessons each week, she thinks about her individual goals and how she can improve the skills she’s learning. Something that resonated through the entire conversation was that riding restored a part of her identity that she felt had been completely lost.
The most remarkable part of Marie's journey is where she is today. The confidence and strength restored by horsemanship has allowed her to move forward and really given power to what is possible. She’s back in her own new home, able to walk and drive by herself, and not only plays with her granddaughter but also babysits her once a week. Marie dedicates a day each week to volunteering at Water’s Edge Nursing Home and Assisted Living and was excited for the chance to return to work, currently exploring options—retirement clearly isn’t on her mind.
Before we ended our call, she asked me to listen to her anthem during her recovery, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” The song perfectly captures her resilient spirit and determination to rise above every challenge life has sent her way. Marie has a grit and determination, that has clearly always existed. She is also one of the kindest and compassionate people you will ever meet. She said that we must share that her favorite day of the week is Tuesday, her “Joy session” and time at the barn. Marie shares the positive impact of her therapeutic horseback riding with everyone she knows. Everyone here at the barn, feels privileged to be part of her healing journey and to better know this remarkable woman.
Her active working life abruptly ended on March 19, 2024, when she sustained a stroke. Marie spent a month at Aspirus St Luke’s Rehab Floor receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Although the staff provided excellent care, her prognosis was initially for limited mobility, probable lifelong reliance on walking assistance, and total loss of movement in her left arm. Fully aware of the possible challenges due to her medical background, Marie chose to focus on what could go right rather than what could go wrong.
Not ready to retire, uncertain of her future and feeling as though her identity was lost, she continued to dream about returning to horseback riding—a lifelong passion. Throughout her 6 months of excellent outpatient rehabilitation physical therapy, and year of outpatient occupational therapy she envisioned the day she could ride again. Since childhood, Marie had cared for horses, participated in 4-H, and found joy in maintaining her family barn, a place that brought her peace and comfort throughout her life.
Returning to horseback wasn’t her only goal. She was forced to sell her own home in November of 2024, having to move into her daughter’s home when living independently was no longer an option. This time was bittersweet, Marie was a new grandma, she desperately wanted to hold her granddaughter, to simply sit on the floor and play without worrying how to get back up. A friend had been involved in equine therapy, and she began to wonder if maybe this could be her way forward?
She began therapeutic horsemanship at HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. in May of 2025 and immediately felt empowered by her first ride. She teared up recalling the memory of her first time back in the saddle, the relaxation she felt in her body, and the peace and hope for healing she felt in her heart. The personal attention to her safety and wellbeing provided by the staff and volunteers makes her feel like family.
As a veteran nurse, she was an exemplary patient, but even her occupational therapist noticed increased arm and hand mobility when she began working with Hooves of Joy, Inc. She has now regained 50-75% of the use of her left arm. She credits the range of motion exercises incorporated in her lessons to improve her mounting and dismounting that Joy works with her on to her success as much as the actual horseback riding. In and out of her lessons each week, she thinks about her individual goals and how she can improve the skills she’s learning. Something that resonated through the entire conversation was that riding restored a part of her identity that she felt had been completely lost.
The most remarkable part of Marie's journey is where she is today. The confidence and strength restored by horsemanship has allowed her to move forward and really given power to what is possible. She’s back in her own new home, able to walk and drive by herself, and not only plays with her granddaughter but also babysits her once a week. Marie dedicates a day each week to volunteering at Water’s Edge Nursing Home and Assisted Living and was excited for the chance to return to work, currently exploring options—retirement clearly isn’t on her mind.
Before we ended our call, she asked me to listen to her anthem during her recovery, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” The song perfectly captures her resilient spirit and determination to rise above every challenge life has sent her way. Marie has a grit and determination, that has clearly always existed. She is also one of the kindest and compassionate people you will ever meet. She said that we must share that her favorite day of the week is Tuesday, her “Joy session” and time at the barn. Marie shares the positive impact of her therapeutic horseback riding with everyone she knows. Everyone here at the barn, feels privileged to be part of her healing journey and to better know this remarkable woman.
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