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Admittedly it took me smashing both my legs and spending a year in a wheelchair before I felt empathy for fearful riders. Although I knew all the catch phrases to try and teach someone that was afraid,- "he's not going to do anything", "nothing's going to happen", "doesn't matter", I really didn't understand that it was a physical problem to be frightened, not a mental one.
It's easy to stand on the ground when someone is fearful and logically explain why they have nothing to fear, or even what to do if they experience loss of control. These are things most people can understand and conceptualize, however; when a person has been hurt, or just has a fear of being hurt no logical understanding overrides the blast of adrenaline that shoots through their body causing a cold sweat to break out on their forehead.
If you are trying to teach, or help someone that has this fear, understand that they want to get through it or they wouldn't be there. If possible get on the horse first and show them how quietly he goes around the arena without spooking or falling. Sometimes it's helpful when the rider is on the horse to get them talking about something else in their life, maybe their family or their job, to distract them from the situation for a minute. This will keep them from over analyzing their ride. Put a grab strap on the saddle or a stirrup leather around the horse's neck for them to grab if they feel the need to. If they become overwhelmed with fear and feel like they must get off the horse try to be supportive and understanding, even if you have never felt this way yourself. Everything doesn't have to be conquered in one day.
If you are a rider that has experienced a bad fall or is fearful for some other reason, realize you are not alone. Many people feel fear and express it as anger or frustration. Don't be embarrassed to talk to your trainer about your fears. This will save a lot of time and confusion if the fear is getting in the way of training. Never feel "less than" because you are afraid. Eventually most everyone gets to experience this most unpleasant of feelings.
It took a long time after I began riding again to feel confident enough to train a horse again as opposed to just sitting there fear struck. Fear can be overcome but it never goes away completely once it becomes a part of your psyche. If you have a bad day just spend the time on the ground with your horse and don't let one uncomfortable feeling keep you from what you love. Get back in the saddle tomorrow, it will be a better day. I promise.


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Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans in Rhode Island
Medicare Advantage plans use managed-care techniques to provide health care services through their network of hospitals, skilled care facilities, doctors, home care agencies, durable medical equipment suppliers, laboratories, pharmacies, and other providers.
Medicare Advantage plans in Rhode Island are available to beneficiaries both over and under 65 years of age. You must continue to pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium. Medicare Advantage plans cover all services that Medicare Part A and B provide. They all offer extensive coverage for medical and surgical care, lab tests and x-rays, diagnostic tests and treatments, therapies, inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and other medical services. In addition, they can offer extra benefits. Some plans charge a monthly premium; some do not. Plans require certain co-payments. Rates for plans do not vary according to age. A person with end stage renal disease cannot enroll into a Medicare Advantage Plan. The only exception is if they are going from a commercial plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan within the same insurance company.
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage care plan, you must:
- Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B; and
- Live within the area in which the plan provides services; and
- Cannot be medically determined to have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If you develop ESRD after you are a member, you may continue to be a member and receive the necessary services through the plan; and
- Sign up during your initial enrollment period (three months immediately before the month your Medicare A and B became effective); during November of any year; during a special enrollment period; or if you move out of you current plan's service area into another area which has a Medicare managed care plan.
Anyone thinking of joining such a plan should understand:
- You must use the plan's providers and facilities to minimize your out-of-pocket financial liability. You are not free to go to any physician, hospital, or other provider you choose, unless you choose a plan with an out-of-network benefit.
- You must choose a primary care physician and in some cases, you must receive prior approval of your primary care physician to see a specialist, have surgery, or obtain equipment or other medical services.
It can take up to 30 days to enroll or disenroll.

subset: commoncrawl


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That's right! No more Debbie Downer. No more Negative Nelly. My husband teased me the other day about my negative attitude lately. I didn't even realize how negative my thoughts and words were becoming. I'm kicking Debbie and Nelly to the curb.
I'm going to make it a great week.
Last night as we were watching the storms roll in and the rain pour down, my 3.5 year old was so sad. He said, "Oh man. Now I'll never get to play outside again." My husband told him that there might be snow on the ground when he wakes up. Jack's eyes lit up and speaking very fast he said, "So we can go get a sled and go sledding? YAY!" Not wanting to ruin his enthusiasm, we told him if there was a lot of snow on the ground, we would go sledding. Who am I to take that twinkle out of his eye?
So yes, the weather is crap, but remember, this is Minnesota. It could be 70 degrees and sunny by the end of the week.
Look on the bright side. Make it a great week.
I am happy to say that I lost 2 pounds this week after a lot of hard work. When you cheat as I did so gloriously on Easter Sunday, it is so hard to get back on that wagon and last week I worked hard to stay completely on plan. I am also happy to report that I finally broke the 160 pound mark (barely) at 159.5 lbs, I am just 9.5 pounds to goal. Single digits. Surreal. No lie, I never thought I would make it this close. I just didn't think it was possible. That light at the end of the tunnel is shining brighter than I ever imagined.
|Last Year's 5K- 194 lbs
Medifast has asked me to write a testimonial about my experience and I am THRILLED to do so. Look for my testimonial post to come in the next few weeks as I close in on my goal weight.
Another motivator (and major adrenaline rush) for me this week is that I have a job interview for a GREAT opportunity that is a perfect fit for my skills and aligns with my overall career goals. I am really fired up about it and positive that this is the one I will get. No Debbie Downer Negative Nelly self-deprecating talk here. This is mine for the taking. Send me your positive vibes so I can ROCK this interview and start a new chapter in my life. The timing is quite perfect don't you think?
I feel motivated. Powerful. BRING IT ON!
How are you going to make it a great week?