From Western Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam, calling.

From Western Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam, calling.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

When I listen back to what we had captured on the day we were sitting there together and I just looked at Zoe and said, What? I didn't know you were recording, and she had this wonderful little smile on her face. And you know, that was just one of those moments that as a producer, it's just pure gold.

When I listen back to what we had captured on the day we were sitting there together and I just looked at Zoe and said, What? I didn't know you were recording, and she had this wonderful little smile on her face. And you know, that was just one of those moments that as a producer, it's just pure gold.

Welcome to the show. That voice you just heard was Melanie Robinson talking about the feeling as a journalist and documentary maker when you capture a perfect moment and the unforgettable experience. As she shared with her support worker, Zoe Melanie is the winner of the CBW Award for Best Feature or Documentary for Ride Ability, which highlights the important role horses play in animal assisted therapies and the power of the bonds between animal and human. Melanie's documentary is up next and then later in the show, I catch up with her to chat about ride ability and get to know a bit more about the person behind the mic. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. And now his ride ability by Melanie Robinson, introduced by Andrew Morris from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia or CBD Ballet.

Welcome to the show. That voice you just heard was Melanie Robinson talking about the feeling as a journalist and documentary maker when you capture a perfect moment and the unforgettable experience. As she shared with her support worker, Zoe Melanie is the winner of the CBW Award for Best Feature or Documentary for Ride Ability, which highlights the important role horses play in animal assisted therapies and the power of the bonds between animal and human. Melanie's documentary is up next and then later in the show, I catch up with her to chat about ride ability and get to know a bit more about the person behind the mic. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. And now his ride ability by Melanie Robinson, introduced by Andrew Morris from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia or CBD Ballet.

Hi, I'm Andrew Morris, and this is the 2021 CBD National Features and documentary series, a collection of 10 new features from producers right around Australia. This next feature was made on the lands of the island nation, and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Even if horses are not your thing, there can be no denying their ability to connect with vulnerable people and that they play a huge role in the success of animal assisted therapies here in Australia. So come along for the ride with Melanie Robinson as she takes us down the track in ride ability.

Hi, I'm Andrew Morris, and this is the 2021 CBD National Features and documentary series, a collection of 10 new features from producers right around Australia. This next feature was made on the lands of the island nation, and we pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Even if horses are not your thing, there can be no denying their ability to connect with vulnerable people and that they play a huge role in the success of animal assisted therapies here in Australia. So come along for the ride with Melanie Robinson as she takes us down the track in ride ability.

When I saw a horse called home, it dropped his head onto the chest of an unresponsive five year old boy in a wheelchair and watched that child come to life laughing, cursing and eventually riding that horse. Well, I just had to know more. Harnessing the power of horses to develop skills in people with disabilities has a long and rich history in Australia. But horses are huge, powerful creatures. So how is it that they have become one of the most successful therapy animals, the some of the most vulnerable in our community? My name is Melanie, and I saddled up with rotting develops abilities, also known as RDA. To find out more.

When I saw a horse called home, it dropped his head onto the chest of an unresponsive five year old boy in a wheelchair and watched that child come to life laughing, cursing and eventually riding that horse. Well, I just had to know more. Harnessing the power of horses to develop skills in people with disabilities has a long and rich history in Australia. But horses are huge, powerful creatures. So how is it that they have become one of the most successful therapy animals, the some of the most vulnerable in our community? My name is Melanie, and I saddled up with rotting develops abilities, also known as RDA. To find out more.

I don't have any hands from my elbows down, affecting both my left and right side.

I don't have any hands from my elbows down, affecting both my left and right side.

When we first saw on the horse two and a half years of age as a parent, enormous amounts of wonder whether she'll be okay.

When we first saw on the horse two and a half years of age as a parent, enormous amounts of wonder whether she'll be okay.

How ridiculous is that you're doing this activity, this is a dangerous.

How ridiculous is that you're doing this activity, this is a dangerous.

Let's go way back to where this first started, when an intrepid physiotherapist approached Victoria's largest special school. Yes, that's what they were called back then to find out if there may be some students that could be interested in a brand new Riding for the Disabled program. Here's retiree Norma Pierce.

Let's go way back to where this first started, when an intrepid physiotherapist approached Victoria's largest special school. Yes, that's what they were called back then to find out if there may be some students that could be interested in a brand new Riding for the Disabled program. Here's retiree Norma Pierce.

I was a special education teacher. It would be about 1970.

I was a special education teacher. It would be about 1970.

Hmm. 1970. That was the year I was born. Hmm. Anyway, back then it was considered quite ridiculous and even downright dangerous to introduce children with disabilities to mainstream activities.

Hmm. 1970. That was the year I was born. Hmm. Anyway, back then it was considered quite ridiculous and even downright dangerous to introduce children with disabilities to mainstream activities.

We had, I think, 19 children at the school at the time. And over the road was a parade of shops, and not one of the students had ever been to the shop or anything. That's a bit hard to believe today when we see people with all sorts of disabilities are very visible in the community going about their daily lives. That was not the case.

We had, I think, 19 children at the school at the time. And over the road was a parade of shops, and not one of the students had ever been to the shop or anything. That's a bit hard to believe today when we see people with all sorts of disabilities are very visible in the community going about their daily lives. That was not the case.

Wow. How things have changed from these humble and challenging beginnings grew the most incredible space where people with disabilities were able to flourish. Hi, I'm Abigail Fiedler.

Wow. How things have changed from these humble and challenging beginnings grew the most incredible space where people with disabilities were able to flourish. Hi, I'm Abigail Fiedler.

I was born with jewel up a limb deficiency, which means that I don't have any hands from my elbows down, affecting both my left and right side. So I have had adapted Reigns made.

I was born with jewel up a limb deficiency, which means that I don't have any hands from my elbows down, affecting both my left and right side. So I have had adapted Reigns made.

Hi, my name is Troy, father of Abigail Vidler and Abby's been in the RDA program now for 14 years.

Hi, my name is Troy, father of Abigail Vidler and Abby's been in the RDA program now for 14 years.

With the RDA program, I was able to develop not only core strength and body strength, but also being able to be put into a group where there was no judgment involved from anyone around. It also gave me a place for passion.

With the RDA program, I was able to develop not only core strength and body strength, but also being able to be put into a group where there was no judgment involved from anyone around. It also gave me a place for passion.

My name is Jay Lane. I come to writing for Disabled, for my son Angus.

My name is Jay Lane. I come to writing for Disabled, for my son Angus.

I practice my rising short.

I practice my rising short.

His excitement level was palpable and he was enthusiastic and he really wanted to be here. And the Angus, we don't always get that. Um, Angus is his verbal and he expresses himself, but we don't always see emotions from Angus. And finding ways to connect to Angus is really important because he does have challenges in his everyday life. One of the great benefits is it's doing therapy without doing therapy. Angus, unfortunately, tends to spend a lot of his week going to occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapists.

His excitement level was palpable and he was enthusiastic and he really wanted to be here. And the Angus, we don't always get that. Um, Angus is his verbal and he expresses himself, but we don't always see emotions from Angus. And finding ways to connect to Angus is really important because he does have challenges in his everyday life. One of the great benefits is it's doing therapy without doing therapy. Angus, unfortunately, tends to spend a lot of his week going to occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapists.

I'm Vanessa and an educational and developmental psychologist working in private practice and also working

I'm Vanessa and an educational and developmental psychologist working in private practice and also working

in an animal assisted therapy.

in an animal assisted therapy.

Well, my research was on many benefits of equine assisted therapies. The benefits were that it kids had a greater confidence and empowerment, so improved self-concept and emotional well-being and benefits for the family. My name is Fiona all, and I work at writing for the disabled at Oaklands. I think that each and every one of our horses has their own personalities, and I think that's really important that people understand that they're all different and they all work in different ways with different people. Today we have Champ. He's Welsh, he's chestnut with a big white blaze. He's the littlest naughtiest, biggest attitude pony on the property, and he's loved so much. Why lots of little people? He's not real keen on big people, but he loves little people.

Well, my research was on many benefits of equine assisted therapies. The benefits were that it kids had a greater confidence and empowerment, so improved self-concept and emotional well-being and benefits for the family. My name is Fiona all, and I work at writing for the disabled at Oaklands. I think that each and every one of our horses has their own personalities, and I think that's really important that people understand that they're all different and they all work in different ways with different people. Today we have Champ. He's Welsh, he's chestnut with a big white blaze. He's the littlest naughtiest, biggest attitude pony on the property, and he's loved so much. Why lots of little people? He's not real keen on big people, but he loves little people.

So this is Sienna, and she is a sort of a chest up with a white blaze. She is extremely pretty and she knows it. I just think she's actually very calm, even though she's a really big horse. This is Scottie, and Scottie is quite well, yeah, when he's not rolling in the mud.

So this is Sienna, and she is a sort of a chest up with a white blaze. She is extremely pretty and she knows it. I just think she's actually very calm, even though she's a really big horse. This is Scottie, and Scottie is quite well, yeah, when he's not rolling in the mud.

One outstanding moment with a young rider, Ben, who's incredibly anxious and upset. We went up to the dam the other day and I asked everybody that was with us to be quiet so he could just take in the beauty in the piece of the dam and the quietness, and we just stood there. I was in the water with the horse as well, and vendors took my hand and looked me in the eye and then came down and hugged the horse's neck with me. It was the most beautiful moment, and that's pretty special. Yeah, there's a lot of tears, mum, particularly. She was very, very happy. There are those moments that are treasured.

One outstanding moment with a young rider, Ben, who's incredibly anxious and upset. We went up to the dam the other day and I asked everybody that was with us to be quiet so he could just take in the beauty in the piece of the dam and the quietness, and we just stood there. I was in the water with the horse as well, and vendors took my hand and looked me in the eye and then came down and hugged the horse's neck with me. It was the most beautiful moment, and that's pretty special. Yeah, there's a lot of tears, mum, particularly. She was very, very happy. There are those moments that are treasured.

And let's go back to Norma, who tells us the story of Nigel, a boy with a condition called Prado Willie, which meant that he i2i excess and was very overweight. This wasn't helped by a huge jar of kindrachuk, an artificial sweetener that Nigel loved to sprinkle liberally all over his food. Now, Nigel desperately wanted to ride a horse called Maxwell, but he was just too heavy. This was gently explained to Nigel, and then one day

And let's go back to Norma, who tells us the story of Nigel, a boy with a condition called Prado Willie, which meant that he i2i excess and was very overweight. This wasn't helped by a huge jar of kindrachuk, an artificial sweetener that Nigel loved to sprinkle liberally all over his food. Now, Nigel desperately wanted to ride a horse called Maxwell, but he was just too heavy. This was gently explained to Nigel, and then one day

it comes to my office and gives me the calendar and says, Well, you put this away because I don't think I should have that now. And gradually his weight began to diminish. And when he got to the stage that his weight was such, he could write Maxwell. You would think he won the lottery. He was just beside himself.

it comes to my office and gives me the calendar and says, Well, you put this away because I don't think I should have that now. And gradually his weight began to diminish. And when he got to the stage that his weight was such, he could write Maxwell. You would think he won the lottery. He was just beside himself.

This case was so successful that Nigel Doctor wrote it up in The Lancet, a medical journal in the UK, because they had tried all sorts of things to reduce Nigel's weight and this had worked. Maxwell and Nigel were a success story.

This case was so successful that Nigel Doctor wrote it up in The Lancet, a medical journal in the UK, because they had tried all sorts of things to reduce Nigel's weight and this had worked. Maxwell and Nigel were a success story.

What we found was that there was a wealth of people in the community who were happy to be involved in grooming tracking or better with helping the children to get dressed, ready for riding, make sure they had like they had helmets or that sort of thing. Safety was of paramount importance.

What we found was that there was a wealth of people in the community who were happy to be involved in grooming tracking or better with helping the children to get dressed, ready for riding, make sure they had like they had helmets or that sort of thing. Safety was of paramount importance.

I think we've become quite a community, the volunteers, the love being with the riders. They love being around the horses. We're called Team RDA. That's what we call ourselves. We are a team.

I think we've become quite a community, the volunteers, the love being with the riders. They love being around the horses. We're called Team RDA. That's what we call ourselves. We are a team.

The work is a really great here with making sure he felt safe. I felt safe and the horse was safe.

The work is a really great here with making sure he felt safe. I felt safe and the horse was safe.

Yeah, it's very rewarding.

Yeah, it's very rewarding.

I'm travelling back to where it all began, back to where I met Hamish and that little boy in a wheelchair. And I'm flooded with memories. You say I too met a very special horse that day upon Nicole Poe, who was going to take me on my very own ability journey. I was going to be riding a horse again for the first time since losing most of my vision. It's a beautiful day. I'm standing in the paddock. The sun is shining. The grass is long and green. It's been more than a year since I've ridden po, and the team at RTI have organized a special reunion for us.

I'm travelling back to where it all began, back to where I met Hamish and that little boy in a wheelchair. And I'm flooded with memories. You say I too met a very special horse that day upon Nicole Poe, who was going to take me on my very own ability journey. I was going to be riding a horse again for the first time since losing most of my vision. It's a beautiful day. I'm standing in the paddock. The sun is shining. The grass is long and green. It's been more than a year since I've ridden po, and the team at RTI have organized a special reunion for us.

His po coming here.

His po coming here.

Hey. Hey, hey.

Hey. Hey, hey.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

No way you can.

No way you can.

I'm so excited to be here visiting everyone, in particular my former coach Karen.

I'm so excited to be here visiting everyone, in particular my former coach Karen.

I've never taught anybody that had a slight impairment and you just showed everybody you can do what you want to do, even people that are sighted at just like I wish I could ride. That puts you out at times. And yeah, just to see yourself riding independently at just, yeah, I'm starting to tear up.

I've never taught anybody that had a slight impairment and you just showed everybody you can do what you want to do, even people that are sighted at just like I wish I could ride. That puts you out at times. And yeah, just to see yourself riding independently at just, yeah, I'm starting to tear up.

Sorry, Hamish has since passed on. He was a very old horse even back then. I'm not sure where that little boy in a wheelchair is now, but I do feel certain that he would have gone on to develop further abilities and that his life was enriched by his time with Hamish. And I mourn certainly has been. Watching him do his thing allowed me to open myself up to possibilities, and I found something that I thought I'd lost the ability to show people that, yeah, I really can do whatever I want.

Sorry, Hamish has since passed on. He was a very old horse even back then. I'm not sure where that little boy in a wheelchair is now, but I do feel certain that he would have gone on to develop further abilities and that his life was enriched by his time with Hamish. And I mourn certainly has been. Watching him do his thing allowed me to open myself up to possibilities, and I found something that I thought I'd lost the ability to show people that, yeah, I really can do whatever I want.

I really, truly thought that I could make it. Paralympics being on this horse.

I really, truly thought that I could make it. Paralympics being on this horse.

They are seeing the staff and the volunteers there at 88 certainly relaxed me to know that she's with an organization that have not only the children at best of heart, but also the animals

They are seeing the staff and the volunteers there at 88 certainly relaxed me to know that she's with an organization that have not only the children at best of heart, but also the animals

more focusing on ways we can remove the barriers in society to promote the ability of the individual.

more focusing on ways we can remove the barriers in society to promote the ability of the individual.

Hopefully, it continues another 50 years.

Hopefully, it continues another 50 years.

That was Melanie Robinson with ride ability produced at the studios of Vision Australia radio on the lands of the island nation with supervising production from Catarina Lusher and training from the Community Media Training Organisation. Melanie would like to thank RDA Victoria, who are currently celebrating 50 years of operations for the inspiring stories and characters featured in this piece. It was part of the 2021 national features and documentary series. There are another nine stories to hear, so if you'd like to hear more, visit NGQDs dot org dot a year. This program was made possible with the support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at CBF dot org dot AEW.

That was Melanie Robinson with ride ability produced at the studios of Vision Australia radio on the lands of the island nation with supervising production from Catarina Lusher and training from the Community Media Training Organisation. Melanie would like to thank RDA Victoria, who are currently celebrating 50 years of operations for the inspiring stories and characters featured in this piece. It was part of the 2021 national features and documentary series. There are another nine stories to hear, so if you'd like to hear more, visit NGQDs dot org dot a year. This program was made possible with the support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at CBF dot org dot AEW.

That was right. Ability by Melanie Robinson. I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia radio. Associated stations of Rupert and the Community Radio Network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just stop talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now, please enjoy my interview with Melanie. Melanie Robinson is the producer and host of Ride Ability, which looks at horses and their ability to connect with vulnerable people. Ride ability was recently announced as the winner of Best Feature in 2021 at the CBW Awards. And to talk more about it, I have Melanie with me now. Melanie, congratulations and welcome to talking vision.

That was right. Ability by Melanie Robinson. I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia radio. Associated stations of Rupert and the Community Radio Network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just stop talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now, please enjoy my interview with Melanie. Melanie Robinson is the producer and host of Ride Ability, which looks at horses and their ability to connect with vulnerable people. Ride ability was recently announced as the winner of Best Feature in 2021 at the CBW Awards. And to talk more about it, I have Melanie with me now. Melanie, congratulations and welcome to talking vision.

Thank you so much, Sam, it's such a pleasure to be here. And yes, it is all very exciting, isn't it?

Thank you so much, Sam, it's such a pleasure to be here. And yes, it is all very exciting, isn't it?

It is quite exciting. And we'll talk about that later. But firstly, Melanie, could you tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been involved in the world of radio?

It is quite exciting. And we'll talk about that later. But firstly, Melanie, could you tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been involved in the world of radio?

Mm-Hmm. The world of radio, I just completely fell into it. I don't have any experience at all, and up until two years ago, I hardly even knew what a podcast was or even where to find one had to listen to one, if you would believe it. So, yeah, I've my vision loss. Well, I should go back a bit, though. I have a condition called Usher Syndrome, which means it's combined with, I know deafness and a blindness, as well as I might know, deafness was diagnosed at the age of five. And I wear two hearing aids, and that has kept it fairly well corrected and stable for most of my life. My vision loss being the retinitis pigmentosa part of Usher syndrome, was diagnosed in my very late teens early 20s, and it's been steadily declining ever since I. Found myself at the start of 2020, shortly before the pandemic hit. Redundant from my long term employment role that I had been working with the same organization for 31 years since I left school, basically, and I've done a lot of roles in that organization. But that's not a 2021 found myself redundant and bit of time on my hands and the big bucket list of things to do. And Vision Australia came on board in 2020 with a whole range of fabulous little groups. I'm not sure they weren't formal classes, they weren't total social groups or a bit of a combination of both, and I participated in two of them at the time. One was creative writing and the other one was audio journalism, and I had no idea what audio journalism worth. I mean, I knew what two words were joined together and what they actually were. I really wasn't quite sure, but it sounded interesting. And yes, I joined up and had a lovely little group. It was four of us in the group and that was facilitated by Max Reilly, who is a previous employee of Vision Australia out of Brisbane. And Max also had an interest in community radio as well. So he was able to combine these two in this little course. So that was my introduction. We would get together every week, discuss podcast, how they were made, story structures and things like that. And so that was my introduction.

Mm-Hmm. The world of radio, I just completely fell into it. I don't have any experience at all, and up until two years ago, I hardly even knew what a podcast was or even where to find one had to listen to one, if you would believe it. So, yeah, I've my vision loss. Well, I should go back a bit, though. I have a condition called Usher Syndrome, which means it's combined with, I know deafness and a blindness, as well as I might know, deafness was diagnosed at the age of five. And I wear two hearing aids, and that has kept it fairly well corrected and stable for most of my life. My vision loss being the retinitis pigmentosa part of Usher syndrome, was diagnosed in my very late teens early 20s, and it's been steadily declining ever since I. Found myself at the start of 2020, shortly before the pandemic hit. Redundant from my long term employment role that I had been working with the same organization for 31 years since I left school, basically, and I've done a lot of roles in that organization. But that's not a 2021 found myself redundant and bit of time on my hands and the big bucket list of things to do. And Vision Australia came on board in 2020 with a whole range of fabulous little groups. I'm not sure they weren't formal classes, they weren't total social groups or a bit of a combination of both, and I participated in two of them at the time. One was creative writing and the other one was audio journalism, and I had no idea what audio journalism worth. I mean, I knew what two words were joined together and what they actually were. I really wasn't quite sure, but it sounded interesting. And yes, I joined up and had a lovely little group. It was four of us in the group and that was facilitated by Max Reilly, who is a previous employee of Vision Australia out of Brisbane. And Max also had an interest in community radio as well. So he was able to combine these two in this little course. So that was my introduction. We would get together every week, discuss podcast, how they were made, story structures and things like that. And so that was my introduction.

Oh wow. And following on from that, you put together a a few features in your time, including more recently write ability, as we just heard before now. How did the idea for ride ability come about?

Oh wow. And following on from that, you put together a a few features in your time, including more recently write ability, as we just heard before now. How did the idea for ride ability come about?

Yeah, that's a really great question, Sam. So in the audio journalism course, we were told about the CBD National Features documentary series, which has been going since 2013, and Max Rowley was a previous participant in this program in 2018 with his wonderful piece on home schooling, and Max encouraged us to apply for the National Pictures documentary series. And to do that, we had to have an idea that had to have a community interest. And I had been a participant in the RDA program myself a few years ago, and yeah, I was just so struck by this organisation and just the wonderful things I do and just how it is to be a participant in involved in this group. And, you know, having a passion for horses. I've always been around horses. And yeah, it just seemed like a natural thing to seem to fit the criteria for what the national pictures documentary shoes were looking for. And I thought, Well, why not? I've got a bit of an idea for the story. I've got some wonderful people that I can talk to, some great characters that I know of, and that was the start of it.

Yeah, that's a really great question, Sam. So in the audio journalism course, we were told about the CBD National Features documentary series, which has been going since 2013, and Max Rowley was a previous participant in this program in 2018 with his wonderful piece on home schooling, and Max encouraged us to apply for the National Pictures documentary series. And to do that, we had to have an idea that had to have a community interest. And I had been a participant in the RDA program myself a few years ago, and yeah, I was just so struck by this organisation and just the wonderful things I do and just how it is to be a participant in involved in this group. And, you know, having a passion for horses. I've always been around horses. And yeah, it just seemed like a natural thing to seem to fit the criteria for what the national pictures documentary shoes were looking for. And I thought, Well, why not? I've got a bit of an idea for the story. I've got some wonderful people that I can talk to, some great characters that I know of, and that was the start of it.

Okay, so have you always been an avid rider or a horse lover or did that come later when you were involved with idea?

Okay, so have you always been an avid rider or a horse lover or did that come later when you were involved with idea?

Yeah. So I had been around horses most of my life growing up on a farm in Western District of Victoria. I was very lucky to have the room and the space and the parents that would allow me to have ponies and horses as I was growing up. And back then my vision was quite like it was, you know, it was fairly normal for want of a better word. So jumping on a pinyin, galloping round the paddock and jumping over jumps and things was nothing back then. But then as I moved away from home, I moved to Melbourne and I still kept a couple of horses at mom and Dad's place. But, you know, they kind of got old and died and and so, you know, I got caught up in my life in Melbourne and my vision started to deteriorate too. So I had not ridden. Since losing most of my vision until I joined I and yeah, it was it was something that I was a little bit apprehensive about at first, but once I got down there, got around the horses, got around the people and you know, it was really even though my vision had deteriorated so much, being on a horse that just knows what it's doing around people that know what they're doing. It was pretty easy to slot straight back into it. So yeah.

Yeah. So I had been around horses most of my life growing up on a farm in Western District of Victoria. I was very lucky to have the room and the space and the parents that would allow me to have ponies and horses as I was growing up. And back then my vision was quite like it was, you know, it was fairly normal for want of a better word. So jumping on a pinyin, galloping round the paddock and jumping over jumps and things was nothing back then. But then as I moved away from home, I moved to Melbourne and I still kept a couple of horses at mom and Dad's place. But, you know, they kind of got old and died and and so, you know, I got caught up in my life in Melbourne and my vision started to deteriorate too. So I had not ridden. Since losing most of my vision until I joined I and yeah, it was it was something that I was a little bit apprehensive about at first, but once I got down there, got around the horses, got around the people and you know, it was really even though my vision had deteriorated so much, being on a horse that just knows what it's doing around people that know what they're doing. It was pretty easy to slot straight back into it. So yeah.

Hmm. And you touched on that, those relationships with the horses and with the people, and we can hear the kind of special bonds that were created with Karen and Poe in particular at RDA. So what was it like to be back and reunited with the whole team?

Hmm. And you touched on that, those relationships with the horses and with the people, and we can hear the kind of special bonds that were created with Karen and Poe in particular at RDA. So what was it like to be back and reunited with the whole team?

Mm hmm. It was absolutely wonderful. It really was. I mean, we had to record this during COVID, so that was a challenge within itself as well. Was trying to find the right moment to actually get down to the center and talk to the people face-to-face and the horses. So but we managed to wrangle it, and there was a lot of excitement meeting the team again. And of course, that wonderful reunion with Cody. And the really great thing about that Sam was I had gone down with my support worker and she was holding the recording device and I was doing the interviewing, the talking. But I actually had no idea that she was rolling when I had that reunion with Paul. So when I listen back to what we had captured on the day we were sitting there together and I just looked at Zoe and said, What? I didn't know you were recording, and she had this wonderful little smile on her face. And you know, that was just one of those moments that as a producer, it's just pure gold. It's a really lovely surprise. Yeah, yeah.

Mm hmm. It was absolutely wonderful. It really was. I mean, we had to record this during COVID, so that was a challenge within itself as well. Was trying to find the right moment to actually get down to the center and talk to the people face-to-face and the horses. So but we managed to wrangle it, and there was a lot of excitement meeting the team again. And of course, that wonderful reunion with Cody. And the really great thing about that Sam was I had gone down with my support worker and she was holding the recording device and I was doing the interviewing, the talking. But I actually had no idea that she was rolling when I had that reunion with Paul. So when I listen back to what we had captured on the day we were sitting there together and I just looked at Zoe and said, What? I didn't know you were recording, and she had this wonderful little smile on her face. And you know, that was just one of those moments that as a producer, it's just pure gold. It's a really lovely surprise. Yeah, yeah.

And it was so organic and so spur of the moment, and it was just an absolute, you know, raw emotion. And it's one of those, as you said, absolute golden moments. So to be able to capture now moving on to exciting news, I think congratulations are also in order after ride ability recently won best feature or documentary at the 2021 CBW Awards. Has that feel to receive such an award?

And it was so organic and so spur of the moment, and it was just an absolute, you know, raw emotion. And it's one of those, as you said, absolute golden moments. So to be able to capture now moving on to exciting news, I think congratulations are also in order after ride ability recently won best feature or documentary at the 2021 CBW Awards. Has that feel to receive such an award?

Just incredible. And you know, I went into this whole series, the whole program itself, you know, not even really being aware that, you know, there would be a winner. As such, I just went into it for the experience to learn how to do something. And you know, that was just an incredible surprise. But for me, this award means it validates my work and it makes me really happy to think that I actually got my stories across. You know, my stories have hit the mark, and that validation is just it's just priceless. Absolutely priceless.

Just incredible. And you know, I went into this whole series, the whole program itself, you know, not even really being aware that, you know, there would be a winner. As such, I just went into it for the experience to learn how to do something. And you know, that was just an incredible surprise. But for me, this award means it validates my work and it makes me really happy to think that I actually got my stories across. You know, my stories have hit the mark, and that validation is just it's just priceless. Absolutely priceless.

I'm. A lot of motivation for the hard times in the studio and out in the field and doing the recording and and sometimes things don't quite go right. But then there's those other things like winning these awards and all that sort of thing that really sort of gives you that extra bit of motivation and really gives you this really great sense of self-worth. So when did you find out that you had won the award and how did you find out?

I'm. A lot of motivation for the hard times in the studio and out in the field and doing the recording and and sometimes things don't quite go right. But then there's those other things like winning these awards and all that sort of thing that really sort of gives you that extra bit of motivation and really gives you this really great sense of self-worth. So when did you find out that you had won the award and how did you find out?

Oh, by the way, I found that was a little bit sneaky on the part of the CBD line because Danny rang me and said, Look, you know, we're interviewing the participants in the 2021 series. Now you write for an interview and I'm like, Yeah, sure, you know, thinking that he was interviewing all of the participants. And we went through our inositol interview and and then, you know, towards the end of it, he just sprang it on me and said, Oh, by the way, we would like to acknowledge, you know, that you have won the series. And I'm like, Well, it's incredible to think that I haven't heard that interview yet, but I think there will probably be a gold moment in there too. Just might encourage, you know, just the incredible sense of,

Oh, by the way, I found that was a little bit sneaky on the part of the CBD line because Danny rang me and said, Look, you know, we're interviewing the participants in the 2021 series. Now you write for an interview and I'm like, Yeah, sure, you know, thinking that he was interviewing all of the participants. And we went through our inositol interview and and then, you know, towards the end of it, he just sprang it on me and said, Oh, by the way, we would like to acknowledge, you know, that you have won the series. And I'm like, Well, it's incredible to think that I haven't heard that interview yet, but I think there will probably be a gold moment in there too. Just might encourage, you know, just the incredible sense of,

Oh yeah, absolutely. Right? Yeah. Oh wow. Well, thank you so much, Melanie. That was Melanie Robinson, the producer and host of Ride Ability, which looks at horses and their ability to connect with vulnerable people. Melanie, thank you so much for joining me today. It was an absolute pleasure having you on talking vision and congratulations on being the winner of the tiny little tiny land save a Life Feature award.

Oh yeah, absolutely. Right? Yeah. Oh wow. Well, thank you so much, Melanie. That was Melanie Robinson, the producer and host of Ride Ability, which looks at horses and their ability to connect with vulnerable people. Melanie, thank you so much for joining me today. It was an absolute pleasure having you on talking vision and congratulations on being the winner of the tiny little tiny land save a Life Feature award.

Well, thank you, Sam, and I'd just like to thank Vision Australia Radio for all of their support. As I have been a participant in this program, I couldn't have done it without support and the backing of Vision Australia radio, so I thank you very much.

Well, thank you, Sam, and I'd just like to thank Vision Australia Radio for all of their support. As I have been a participant in this program, I couldn't have done it without support and the backing of Vision Australia radio, so I thank you very much.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.