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Pegasus is Possibility, Pride and Purpose
Mary Lishomwa’s daughter Abigail is a Pegasus rider. She’s also bright, funny, determined and full of humour. She is non-verbal, lives with Rett syndrome, and expresses herself in ways that most people wouldn’t expect. Through her eyes, her presence, and more recently, a speech-generating device, Abigail has found her voice in the world.
Mary with her daughter Abigail.
For Mary, the journey of raising Abigail has been one of continual adjustment. The diagnosis of Rett syndrome arrived just after Abigail turned three, and with it came a deep and lasting shift in their lives. “It took away any chance of Abigail living an independent life and threw me into the role of full-time carer,” Mary reflects. “I had to let go of the future I thought we were heading towards and suddenly reimagine everything. I live in a state of hyper-vigilance, because every little change in my daughter could be the beginning of losing yet another skill. It is often heartbreaking…”
Reminiscing the day of Abigail’s diagnosis.
In that space of uncertainty and constant care, Pegasus emerged as something extraordinary. The first time they came to Pegasus, Mary wasn’t sure what to expect. So few programs truly cater to children with complex needs, and most require parents to do the heavy lifting to make them work. Pegasus was different. “Knowing that it was specifically tailored for people with disability gave me hope,” she says. “I thought maybe this is somewhere Abigail could feel a sense of achievement. And what little girl doesn’t want to ride a horse?”
Abigails experiencing Pegasus ‘Magic’ (2022)
Since then, the experience has been transformative, not just for Abigail, but for Mary too. “Pegasus is one of the very few places where I feel safe to let go, where I know she will be looked after,” she says. “That means I get to just be a proud mum. I get to take photos and cheer from the sidelines instead of being the one managing every detail.”
L: Proud Mum Mary, watching from the sidelines R: Abigail’s independence
Abigail’s favourite pony is Blossom, a calm and gentle presence with whom she shares a natural rhythm. “Abigail loves to trot, and Blossom was always up for it. Even on difficult days, when Abigail’s body wasn’t cooperating, Blossom would just stand quietly beside her, ears turned towards her as if listening. There is this unspoken connection between them that is hard to put into words.” Mary recalls a moment that struck her deeply, one that demonstrated just how profound that connection can be. “After she had finished her ride, someone asked if she wanted to pat the horse. Now, Abigail has no functional hand use because of Rett. She can’t hold things or point. But she turned, walked back and tried to stroke the pony. She reached out her hand multiple times. That was an enormous effort for her. I had tears in my eyes.”
Moments like that are part of what makes Pegasus so meaningful. It is a space where every effort is understood, and every achievement is celebrated.
“Abigail is clever, cheeky and absolutely full of sass,” Mary says with a smile. “Through her device, she’s been learning to communicate in ways that let her personality shine through. She continues to surprise me with what she says and how she says it. And let me tell you, she can nag like any other tween when she wants something.”
At Pegasus, those traits are encouraged and welcomed. “The team go out of their way to understand her. Abigail’s time there is completely tailored to her. There is never any judgement. We are welcomed no matter what kind of day we are having. And over time, I have watched real friendships develop between Abigail and the team. That is powerful.”
Staff, coaches and volunteers combined care and friendships are boundless.
It is not just the sense of safety or belonging that matters. Pegasus has also had a profound impact on Abigail’s physical development. “I have seen her thrive physically from being on a horse,” Mary explains. “Her core and leg strength and posture improved within just one term. The physical benefits for a child like mine to be on a horse cannot be understated. But Pegasus gives us so much more.” It gives them connection, confidence, and something many families like theirs rarely find. It gives space to feel proud. “Once a week, Abigail gets to do something special, and she knows it. That sense of pride is priceless.”
L: Limted core and leg strength, requiring constant physical support (2021) R: Riding strength beyond regression (2025)
L: Mum Mary’s shows courage, watching from afar R: Visible grit and determination
She has seen the impact of Pegasus ripple through every part of their life, and she is passionate about making sure other families get the chance to experience that same magic. “We need to do whatever we can to help Pegasus not only continue its work, but to grow. It has so much to offer. And it doesn’t just benefit the participant. Everyone who comes into contact with Pegasus gets something from it. Parents, carers, volunteers, donors. There is something deeply human about what happens there.”
Mary says it best. “This place has helped my daughter shine. It has given her joy and given me moments of relief, of hope, of pride. I want others to have that too.”
On Saturday 25 October, the Golden Gala Ball will be held in celebration of everything Pegasus has achieved and in support of everything it still can. It will be a night of connection, storytelling, generosity and community.
You are invited to be part of it. Join us, hear the stories, and help ensure that Pegasus continues to shine for generations to come. Book your ticket now via https://www.trybooking.com/CZGDV
