What's Next...  When You Have Exhausted Every Avenue
By:  Brenda Pearce

As a broadcaster on our local Rogers 13 TV Network, I have been privileged to interview many people doing extraordinary things in our area to better our lives.  Oxford Empowered strives to bring to light the people, places and stories that will empower people to learn more about integrative approaches to living well and to our fullest potential.
As a health care professional, I became empowered when I realized that I could make choices that made my life better, while going through the life experience.  As such I share many of these on the show. 
Through my experience of interviewing, I have come across many people sharing their devastating life events and how they turned them around to create a new life experience, and bringing hope to others.   The stories of PTSD, Post Trauatic Stress Disorder, through being a First Responder, or having survived a traumatic life experience, are the most riveting.  In any one moment in time, life can, and does, change.  It is those defining moments, whether watching trauma happening, or being traumatized, that we recoil physically, mentally, or spiritually.  Often in all areas. 
Our health care system tends to focus on one element or the other, but not often on all levels at once.   Bones can mend, or when they do, other elements may not mend at the same time, or at their own speed.  Often, however, it is the emotional and spiritual levels that are reluctant to release the trauma.  The memories last the longest.   The processing takes a different route.  Talk therapy may help, but in the rehashing, it makes it as real as at the time of the event.  Often people do not want to speak of these things.  Or, people cannot describe the event or the depth of the emotions felt and experienced.   These experiences touch the core of our soul, and challenge our core beliefs, and essence of our being. 
Sometimes, we are lucky and find just the element that is the key to release healing and create a response that leads to a new being-ness and functionality.  Sometimes people turn to self medication to numb the pain.  Sometimes people will hear of, or be pointed to a new direction of release.  Equine Supported Environment centres are here in our area and I am putting forth the awareness for your further exploration and experience.
I have experienced and witnessed amazing changes  in the emotional-mental-physical realm through the non-judgmental presence of horse supported healing.   That is right.   Horses live only in the moment.  These gentle creatures of all sizes are more than labourious steeds pulling carts, carriages, and wagons.  They are not just the trained creatures to do our biding, they are also masters of healing in a supportive environment and when given reign to do so.    They can sense emotional, mental and physical pain.   Their soul-filled eyes see beyond the status, role, sex, and age.   They see only you.   They sense you.  They know you in ways that no diagnostic tool can.   They only want to help you to be better.  They mirror us, our anxieties, pain, and stress, and call us on our stuff.   They draw from us, and release us through their deep knowing, healing and understanding.  I have been privileged to see people release pain and issues so deeply held.   I have seen people physically traumatized and having issues of ambulation, balance and limitations in ability, resolve.  Pain subside through the workings of these gentle giants.   When medical science has exhausted its abilities or inabilities, the horses are here to help.
When it is just you and a presence of a horse, there is a communication that goes beyond words.   No words are needed.  They help us to release, relax, and heal in a way that is none other.   Any one of any age can experience the beauty of this one on one healing, that does not require a prescription pad, procedure, or prep.   It only ask that you be willing to experience.
In our area, there are amazing places within driving distance such as SonFlower Stables, which works as  a not for profit  Equine Supported Environment.  Mary Howe and her team of healing horses can be reached through www.sonflowerstables.com .  Charitable donations to contine the work that is making a difference to so many are greatly welcome to keep the soul-filled work and mission going.  Stay tuned in January, 2018 to watch Oxford Empowered at SonFlower Stables and learn more about this healing place with heart.