Content
A Ride into Life
Last update on: 04/24/2009
2-minute trailer produced by the enterprise pre tv
Donate here to get a copy.
A project of the Styrian Children’s Cancer Support Group
The film was broadcast on Dec. 14th 2008 at 6:25 pm on the Austrian public television series "Österreich Bild". On May 14th 2009, it will be broadcast on ORF 3sat at 8:15 pm.
For more detailed information on the 45-minute DVD film version and how you can support the Styrian Children’s Cancer Support Group:
Ms Sylvia Walcher / Telephone number: +43-316/30 21 42, Fax: +43-316/30 46 07
"A Ride into Life" is the story of six teens, who won the battle against cancer, and their siblings as their take on a new, daunting challenge. Together with their riding instructor, their attending doctor, Prof. Dr. Christian Urban and their psychotherapist, they are embarking on a ride taking back into life and back to living a normal, independent everyday life. Covering 100km in a one-week trek through South West Styria on the back of a horse is a success story well off the beaten path of typical clichés. The journey is part of a cooperation project of the Styrian Children's Cancer Support Group led by Prof. Dr. Christian Urban, Bruno Rothschädl, owner of the horse stable and pre tv.
At the end of August 2008, the partners launched their extraordinary project in Pölfing-Brunn, Styria. Six teens, who had won the battle against cancer and had each endured long hospital stays, strenuous treatments, isolation from their families and friends and in the process, learned first hand where their limits lie, were to accumulate positive experiences as a group including:
- learning to trust in camaraderie
- taking in the spectacular natural world
- learning to rely on their own physical abilities
- heightened self-esteem
- achievements through stamina and companionship
"Horses are ideal companions for such an ambitious undertaking, they demand concentration and intuition, but also offer their riders a sense of achievement and self-confidence" , explains Prof. Dr. Christian Urban, head of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Dept. of Pediatrics of the Medical University Graz, Austria.
"Our young protagonists were of course prepared for the ride in terms of riding technique and their own condition. The tour demanded stamina, self-discipline and camaraderie", explains Bruno Rothschädl, owner of the horse stable Jagamühle in Styria.
Stamina, self-discipline and concentration on one's self were all aspects that the young cancer patients were directly confronted with in their battle with the illness and these aspects define the paths they will take in their lives.
