The Story of Wren

Unwavering Commitment to Progress and Joy: A Client Success Story

There are moments in life when we witness something truly remarkable; a transformation so profound, it touches the very core of who we are. This is one of those stories, and it’s the story of Wren M., a young rider whose journey with Partners for Progress has been nothing short of inspiring.

When Wren first began her sessions with us in October 2023, her family arrived with hopes and concerns, as many families do. Wren has a medically complex diagnosis, a rare syndrome that affects nearly every system of her body, making her daily challenges significant. For families like hers, traditional therapies can often feel slow and discouraging, and the road to seeing noticeable progress is long and uncertain. But from the moment Wren mounted her horse for the very first time, something extraordinary began to happen.

This is the beautiful Wren!

At Partners for Progress, our primary goal was clear: to keep Wren out of the hospital. A difficult task, no doubt, but one that felt within reach with the support of the horses, the skilled hands of our therapists and instructors, and the unshakeable commitment of her family. Wren’s progress didn’t take months; it began immediately.

With Karin, our compassionate instructor, Wren worked on improving her upper extremity function. It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just about strength; it was about breathing. By addressing her upper body control, Wren’s respiratory function began to improve, and the threat of constant hospital visits started to fade. Every small gain in her body’s strength was a victory not just for Wren, but for her entire family, whose devotion to her happiness and well-being is a number one priority.

Karin Kepski has been working with Wren since 2023.

But the progress didn’t stop there. As Wren continued her sessions, another area of change became beautifully apparent: head and trunk control. For a child with such a complex diagnosis, learning to sit upright is no small feat. Karin has prioritized Wren’s head, neck, and upper extremity control, where she is now able to vary her means of communicating. For Wren, this newfound ability to maintain an upright posture didn’t just mean physical strength; it meant a chance at a new, more connected way of living. For the first time, she could sit up in Mom’s lap to have her hair done, she could look her family members in the eye, and engage with them from a position of strength and dignity. The simple act of sitting upright allowed Wren to interact more fully with her world, from chatting with family members to enjoying her favorite activities.

Wren on her favorite horse.

Wren’s emotional well-being has blossomed in parallel with her physical progress. The joy and contentment she experiences during her sessions is a sight to behold. She is happier, more at ease, and brimming with confidence as she rides. It’s not just the physical benefits of riding that Wren enjoys; it's the emotional connection with the horse that has given her something truly priceless: a sense of freedom and joy that transcends any diagnosis.

Wren has found joy at Partners for Progress.

For Wren’s family, this journey has been a source of incredible hope and renewal. They are steady in their commitment to Wren’s progress, and it is this commitment, combined with the love and care of our staff, that has helped Wren achieve so much in such a short period of time.

Every Monday at 3:30 PM, they show up together with a shared vision of growth, happiness, and possibility, and every Monday, Wren continues to defy expectations and show us what’s possible with the right support.

Partners for Progress is inspired by Wren!

Wren’s story is a reminder that progress is not always measured in the conventional ways we expect. It’s not always about grand milestones or perfect outcomes. Sometimes, it’s about those small but powerful moments; like a child sitting up to engage with her family or smiling with joy as she rides a horse that brings her peace.