I was at the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida as a Freelance Photographer, looking for images that editors simply could not pass up for their next issue. I have images of bucking broncos and bone-crushing bulls, but the images that stand out for me are of Ashley Sherman. Ashley turned seven this past March. She is the Fraternal twin of equally beautiful, Autumn.Ý
I first saw Ashley getting ready to participate in an event called "Mutton Bustin." This event for junior cowboys and cowgirls age four to six, is often the first step for future rodeo champions. All the young cowpokes did great. There were long rides and not-so-long rides, but all were winners. Ashley was awarded second place in the event. I spoke to her and her Mom, Susan Sherman, after the event. Ashley seemed to have it all, a beautiful smile, magnetic, outgoing personality, Second Place at Mutton Bustin and a very loving, supportive family. The one thing she did not have was her lower right arm. You see, Ashley was born, suffering from Amniotic Band Syndrome at the right elbow. Her right arm never formed below that point.
A few days after the Silver Spurs
Rodeo, I was invited by Ashley and her family to their home in Oviedo,
Florida. I asked Ashley and Autumn if they would please give me a
little demonstration of their riding ability (horse riding that is), and
they gladly obliged. Ashley brought out her horse Dickins, and Autumn
brought out her pony Mini. They then, with Mom's help, saddled them
both English style, and were off to the riding area. Due to the type
of bit used in Western style riding, the rider can hold both reins in one
hand, which would be no problem. Ashley doesn't know the meaning
of "can't' or "that's impossible." She wanted to ride English style
too. The English riding bit requires that the rider hold one rein
in each hand. Hmmm.. that's a problem, or is it? One of Ashley's
neighbors brought over a leather item that he made for her that looks like
the loop at the end of a leash. Her Mom fastened it to the right rein.
It was just the right size for Ashley to slip her less then perfect arm
through to hold the rein. She took hold of the other rein and was
ready to give it a try. Mom had the little ladies put their mounts
through their paces of walking, trotting and cantor. It took one
lap around the riding area for Ashley to get the feel for her new rein
attachment. That smile of hers was now bigger then ever. "Mom,
it works." Now I was smiling too.
I watched her ride for quite a while and enjoyed it almost as much as she enjoyed riding. I wasn't sure what she meant, but she called out "Mom, can I"? Very nervously Mom answered, "Only if you are sure, really sure." Ashley brought Dickens to a cantor, once around the area, then she turned and brought him down the center towards the X shaped jump. My heart was racing as I'm sure Mom's was also. Ashley just kept smiling all the way up to the jump. She pulled upward on the reins, nudged Dickens with the heels of her boots, and (Oh my God) cleared the jump. Mom was cheering for her. I was cheering for her too, until I remembered I was supposed to be photographing all this. Mom was a little misty eyed seeing her physically challenged little girl over come yet another obstacle in her very young life. I asked Mom about the memorable events in the rearing of a special-needs child and a physically complete twin sister. Susan and Fred took great pains to not show favoritism to Ashley, or make Autumn feel slighted in any way. After Ashley's first grade year, her attitude changed. She became depressed, and angered easily with her sister. One evening after the family finished doing their "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag" which they did every evening at 8pm with TV channel six, Fred was in Ashley's room with her spending some quality time. Ashley asked her Dad a question that he will never forget, which answered why she was angry lately, "Daddy, can you help me grow a new arm please"? Fred and Ashley talked for a long time. Ashley has her beautiful smile back now and I'm sure will be at many rodeos to come.
Written & photographed by Joseph
Barbarise, Orlando, Florida
http://www.Orlandophoto.net
Editors Note: Reach Out Magazine
would like to thank Joseph Barbarise for sharing this beautiful & very
inspirational article and pictures. Reach Out would also like to congratulate
Ashley on a job well done. Ashley has a positive outlook and doesn't focus
on her disABILITY, but rather her ABILITY. Reach Out feels we (disABLED
& Able-Bodied) can all learn a lesson from Ashley. We all have things
we can't do whether we have a disABILITY or not, but we all need to focus
on what we can do. The world would be a much better place if everyone had
Ashley's outlook on life. Way to Go Ashley :)
Please be sure and check out
all the beautiful photos. Click on the links to open in another window