A Pony In The Bedroom: A Journey Through Asperger's, Assault, And Healing With Horses

Description

Susan Dunne's life changed forever when a chance question from a doctor led her back to horses, an unfulfilled childhood passion. Detached and isolated due to undiagnosed autism, Susan had already survived rape, battled eating disorders and self-harm, and spent time homeless, when her world was turned upside again by a vicious, life-threatening assault. Severe post-traumatic stress disorder left her feeling distrustful and more cut off than ever before from a world she saw as confusing and dangerous. But as Susan's connection with horses grew stronger, her world started to open up. Poignant and witty by turns, Susan shares her story of survival and transformation, offering a rare insight into her relationship with horses, and how they helped her to find a safe place in the world.

Promotion info

A personal account of the therapeutic power of horses to overcome post-traumatic stress and transform an autistic world

Author description

Susan Dunne studied English Literature at university. She has worked among other things as a teacher, journalist and travel writer. She has Asperger Syndrome and lives in Yorkshire, UK, where she has four horses. She runs an award winning pony therapy project and regularly takes miniature ponies into care centres across the region.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements. Preface. Across Two Worlds. Part 1. All the World Before Me. 1. Social Misfit. 2. Hungry. 3. Homeless. 4. Rootless. 5. A Dog Called Minder. Part 2. A World Turned Upside Down. 6. First Encounters. 7. Assault. 8. Aftermath. 9. Consequences. 10. To the Lighthouse. 11. A Journey Begins. 12. The Horse Affect. 13. Reaching Out. 14. Post Traumatic Stress. 15. Facing Demons. 16. Mongolia. Part 3. A Whole New World. 17. A Horse Called Bailey. 18. Relapse. 19. The Herd. 20. A Pony in the Bedroom. Afterword. Horses as Healers.