Ben's Bell honors TROT folks because, 'They're all incredible'

The folks behind the organization, better known as TROT, were nominated by the mother of one of the girls involved in its programs. Devora Brustin said, "They're so phenomenal, just such an incredible organization."

"They're all incredible; there's really not just one person who helped," she said. "Everyone always goes the extra mile."

Brustin's daughter, Laila, now 4, was born with what's known as sensory processing disorder, a complex disorder of the brain that causes people to misinterpret routine sensory information, such as touch, sound and movement.

Laila was especially sensitive to touch, her mother said. For instance, if someone brushed against her, it might feel as if she'd been punched. She also had trouble interpreting emotions and facial expressions.

It was while Brustin searched online for groups that could help her daughter that she found TROT. She knew it was a great fit because Laila, then 3, had a natural love of animals, especially horses.

Laila became involved soon afterward, and the work she's done with the group — physical work as well as speech pathology — has made a huge difference in her life, Brustin said. It's also made a big difference to the whole family, including Laila's father, Chad, and her older sister, Shoshana, 7.

"Basically, until she was 3 years old, we really hadn't been able to find the right way to get her the care we thought she needed," Brustin said.

"She's a completely different child than what she was when she first started there. Her speech is great. She can participate in other activities with other kids and wear clothing she couldn't before. You'd really never know that her first three years were filled with such problems."

The organization was founded in 1984 and works with more than 200 people a year, ages 4 to 80, said Mary Vardi, director of instruction.

It's not physical therapy and doctors aren't involved, she said, other than a speech pathologist. Vardi explained that the sessions can help build muscle tone and promote good posture, both of which help form words.

For other clients, the movement of the horse promotes balance and coordination, and symmetry of the body. For others, just being around the gentle but amazingly strong creatures builds confidence and can help with emotional issues.

Laila's sessions also taught her about order and sequence, her mother said, as well as body language because horses communicate a lot by movement. She also learned about loss as she moved from horse to horse throughout the three sessions she's had with the group.

The therapeutic-riding lessons also help veterans with combat injuries, among others, Vardi said.

Brustin has taken her daughter to bell-making sessions, and the family also found a bell during one of the random, citywide distributions several years ago. Her daughter's class also was given one of the chimes. She decided recently that she should nominate the folks at TROT for all their hard work.

The surprise belling was on Monday, when Brustin and Laila and Ben's mother dropped by. While they wanted to honor everyone, from the board of directors to the more than 100 people who volunteer for the organization every week, they gave the bell to Executive Director Leslie Essleburn.

"I was very, very touched," Vardi said. "Leslie was sitting down and her eyes kind of widened, and then Ben's mom and Devora presented the beautiful bell. We were all thrilled and honored.

"It's hard work," she said. "Physically hard work and emotionally taxing. But it's very, very rewarding."

The honor also was special for Laila, her mother said, because she understood they were recognizing the kindness of those they've worked with.

"She was really happy that the horses would get to see the bell, too," Brustin said. "She totally understood and was very proud to do this."

For More Information

If you want to learn more about TROT, go to http://www. horseweb.com/client/trot/index.htm or call 749-2360.