In 1977 when Physiotherapist Anita Claridge started the Bexley RDA Group, Diane’s daughter Debbie was six. Debbie has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, and Diane knew instinctively that RDA could improve her quality of life, “although I didn’t realise quite how much good it was to do until years later,” she adds.

Debbie loved and still loves her riding. By the time she was eight she started to walk, and can now mount with minimal help and maintain her balance while riding. “You can clearly see the benefits,” says Diane. “For me as a parent, it’s rewarding to see her enjoyment. Both of my daughters were very proud of what they achieved through RDA and loved it. They made so many friends.”

Diane’s younger daughter joined the RDA group when leukaemia was diagnosed, and the treatment left her with problems. After a nine year battle with the cancer she died in 1992, and at that time, it was RDA that kept Diane going. The horses and the children were a reason to get up each day in these very difficult times, while RDA friends quietly offered companionship: “They were there for me, but not pushy.” She likens being part of RDA to ‘belonging to a family.’

As a helper, Diane had enjoyed observing RDA Instructors in action and learning from them. With an unfulfilled dream of becoming a schoolteacher, she decided one day ‘I could do this instructing!’ In 1998 she got her RDAGI and recalls with delight, “I was really chuffed to get it. It’s lovely, an achievement. I am very proud of it.”

What does being an instructor mean to Diane? “It’s really fulfilling, doing what I always wanted to do.” Her voice becomes animated as she talks about the riders: “Seeing them make progress is very rewarding, knowing you are making a difference to their lives. Every small step is an achievement.” She clearly loves her work with autistic children, and treasures those special ‘RDA moments’, for example the little girl who recently received a reward card with stars on it, looked up at Diane in wonder, and whispered: “It’s beautiful!”

RDA has opened up many opportunities for Diane: “It has broadened my horizons. I’ve done more than I ever imagined, met so many people, made friends, visited places…” Being part of RDA means you are always learning - from others, from your riders, from the horses!

Over the years Diane has taken on a range of responsibilities locally and regionally, but one thing has been constant: the backing of her long suffering husband and the supportive friends she has made. In particular Anita Claridge has always been there by her side, guiding, teaching, and sometimes giving a gentle push. It really boosts your confidence when friends say simply: “We always knew you’d be a Regional Chairman.”

Does she enjoy being a Regional Chair? We laugh together as she lists the things she could do without, starting with paperwork… But yes, the role gives her a chance to go round the groups, to meet people from all walks of life, to be there to support them, or to represent their views: in short, to give something back to the organization she loves and which has given her so much joy and pleasure in the last thirty years.