Suki, A Horse With 2/3 Of Body Burned & Blind Will Help Children Who Are Burn Victims
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
As I scanned all the depressing and bad news in our local newspaper today, I came upon an article that was so uplifting. It is about a horse, Suki who wanted so much to live, even though the pain was unbearable and now, she has recovered and will be helping children with burn issues.
Frances Wade-Whittaker, Suki's owner entered Suki, an Oldenburg Mare, in dressage competition for years. Then, one night in 2009, a fire broke out on the farm where Suki boarded in Oley Township, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Michelle Harris, an internal medicine resident examined Suki at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square. She decided that she could treat Suki. Some in the horse community criticized Ms. Wade-Whittaker for not having the horse put down.
Suki was treated for 7 weeks at New Bolton with good results. She was given large amounts of silver sulfadiazine (also used to treat human burns) and painkillers that would give her an appetite. Many calories are needed in order for the skin to regenerate.
Suki was loved by now only her owner, but many other people. Perhaps that is what gave her the will to live, in spite of the pain. Even though the skin graphs and daily wound care were extremely painful, her will to live and spirit brought her through this ordeal.
Her owner, Frances Wade-Whittaker states that since this tragedy happened 2 years ago, Suki’s recovery has been remarkable. She will definitely have a new mission in life, even though she could no longer be ridden.
Horses are a wonder addition to your life. They give you unconditional love and joy. Here are my two favorite quotes about horses, courtesy of
http://www.quotegarden.com/horses.html
A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence. ~Pam Brown
The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon
For pictures of Suki and more detail, please visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=138500642.
Suki also has her own facebook page where she has many admirers and people sending messages to her. Maybe you would like to see more pictures and her personal messages at; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suki-the-horse-burn-survivor/120459564682653.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Fran.
People often fight their way through adversity for the sake of those who love them. Why shouldn't it be any different for horses and other animals? Even so, Suki sounds like a real champ.
Thanks for the story.
Hugs,
Dianne
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