After a life-altering accident in July 2022 left Sabrina with a severe spinal cord injury, her world changed dramatically yet her love for horseback riding remains as strong as ever. Once an accomplished barrel racer with a scholarship to compete in rodeo and study pre-veterinary medicine in Texas, Sabrina now faces new challenges - but also new hopes.
Following a spinal fusion spanning T2 to T9, Sabrina is navigating life in a wheelchair. However, her spirit is unbroken, and she is determined to walk. She continues to work with horses, channeling her passion into her recovery journey. “There is no energy or place like being with the horses,” Sabrina explains.
Sabrina's physiotherapy team believes that the next step in her rehabilitation involves reconnecting with her roots: getting back on a horse. Their hope is that this approach may awaken dormant muscle memory, providing her with a renewed sense of freedom and movement.
To make her next step a reality, Sabrina received a customized saddle designed specifically to support her unique needs. The cost of such specialized equipment, along with the ongoing expenses of her recovery, was daunting for her and her family but thanks to Shine donors and our partnership with the Straz Strong Foundation, she is finding more joy, hope, and excitement.
“When I got my new saddle, it was like getting back something I had lost. [This is] the beginning of my journey because I am walking and this [saddle] is how I’m going to do it,” she adds.
Sabrina’s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unyielding passion for life. We are excited to see her SHINE.
