Carole Coulson, 81
Meet Carole, 81 years young, from Waterloo, Ontario.
For many years, Carole’s greatest wish has been to ride a horse again. From a very young age, she was captivated by horses—enchanted by the sight of horse-drawn milk wagons, and would often walk miles to the outskirts of town just to ride one. At 29, after years of dreaming, Carole finally owned her own horse. Her love for horses deepened over time, as did her desire to help others using their power, and she began to do so, changing lives through her passion for these incredible animals.
Carole spent her life joyfully throwing herself into all manner of opportunities to serve others. Whether it was teaching Sunday school, serving meals to the homeless, or helping children with disabilities experience the bliss of riding horses, and countless other ways, she poured her time and energy into making a difference. Her radiant smile brightened the lives of everyone she touched, leaving a lasting impact through countless acts of kindness.
Carole’s commitment to others extended beyond her community and into her own home. Becoming a single mother of two, Carole put her own dreams on hold to prioritize her children. She even gave up her beloved horse, Gentry, to ensure she could give them the attention they needed, and postponed her education until her children were older. When Carole returned to school in her 50s, she chose a path that led her to work with seniors in long-term care and retirement homes.
Up until the age of 74, Carole was vibrant, energetic, and independent. But in 2017, she suffered an unexpected catastrophic stroke that changed everything. It took away her ability to speak, and left her partially paralyzed and with vision loss. Someone who had spent her life helping others now needed full-time care.
Horses had always been important in Carole’s life, but after her stroke, they became even more significant. Her loved ones encouraged her to focus on recovery, reminding her of the deep passion put on her heart for using horses to support others—and, ultimately, to help herself heal. Photographs of horses filled her hospital and care rooms, serving as constant reminders of her life’s joys, her purpose, and her drive to heal under new circumstances.
But Carole’s post-stroke journey became even more devastating when further complications led to amputation of her right leg and her hopes of riding horses again seemed to be slipping from her grasp. Carole felt she had nothing left to offer, believing she needed to heal more before she could help others again. The thought of never fulfilling her passion, never riding a horse again or caring for her grandchildren was devastating, and adjusting to her new reality was heartbreaking.
At We Are Young, we are dedicated to making wishes that seem impossible a reality. We were honored to collaborate with the incredible team at Pride Stables to help Carole get back on a horse. This past spring, at 81 years young, she finally felt the pure joy of riding again, and her illuminating smile was contagious. For the first time in nearly a decade, Carole felt she had something to give again. She hopes her story serves as a powerful reminder to others: never stop praying or dreaming—regardless of age, ability, or circumstances, because with help, including the right community support, dreams can truly come true.
Special Thanks – Pride Stables and One Transportation
Photography – Boxcar Media
Video Credit – Boxcar Media
