Syd's leg up to France!
No dream is to big if you aren't afraid to reach for the stars! My name is Sydney Collier and I am from Michigan. I am a 16 year old Para Equestrian who is trying to make my dreams a reality, even though I face some big health problems. I was diagnosed at age 7 with rare life- threatening vascular malformations inside my brain known as Wyburn-Mason Syndrome. These inoperable vascular "tumors", known as AVM's, have created many unique challenges to my life- but they have never stopped me! Treatments and surgeries resulted in a massive stroke that left me in a wheelchair unable to use my entire left side. Despite what others might see as setbacks, I was determined to return to the one thing I loved-riding and caring for my horse. I spent months in a rehabilitation center relearning to walk, and use my arm. When I was finally discharged I began the tough job of relearning to ride with my new body.
In October of 2010 my Mom learned that a group of riders called Para Equestrians were being included in the World Equestrian Games for the first time. She helped me take a very special trip to watch these riders, and this changed my whole life! Para stands for "parallel" to able-bodied riders (not paralyzed), and watching these amazing riders I realized that despite my unique "special abilities" from my medical condition, I could continue to reach for the stars. In this new picture I saw myself riding for our country in the World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Paralympics, while also spreading the word to other disabled youths to never stop reaching for their dreams. These dreams require me to travel,train,and compete which is very expensive for my family. With sponsorship help from individuals and groups like you I can make these dreams come true. I live by my motto each and everyday... taking the "dis" out of "dis"abled one hoof beat at a time! Do you have a life motto? Please consider joining my team and helping me reach my goals. Thank you :)
Website: www.sydspa
