Nephew Skylar Bagdon (left) and Uncle Chris Kirkwood (right)
Deciding to embark on a journey with Relief Riders was a decision that came from deep within my heart. It wasn’t just about the adventure; it was about making a real difference in people's lives. I remember the moment I decided to join the ride and even more, the moment I decided to run a fundraiser to bring an extra rider’s fare with me. It was an overwhelming sense of purpose that propelled me to take this leap, and the resulting joy spread out over everyone involved, like a pebble being thrown into a pond.
As the plane touched down in India, my excitement and nervousness swirled together. I had purposefully done no research about India in order to experience it as if through the eyes of a child, without any preconceived opinions. The reality of being in a completely different world hit me, but the warmth of the people hit me more. From the very beginning, I felt embraced by their hospitality. Our differences were vast, but the similarities, especially the universal language of love and kindness, were even more striking.
The first day was a whirlwind. We arrived at sunrise and were greeted with a hearty breakfast before heading off to the medical camp. That day, we saw over 400 people, providing screenings for dental issues, eye exams, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Out of those, 25 people qualified for free cataract surgery, which we facilitated immediately. Watching these individuals being loaded onto the bus to go and gain the gift of sight was indescribable. It was a direct result of my friends, family and even complete strangers’ generosity, and I was deeply moved by the impact we were making.
Heidi Craig receiving “Journey Puja” (blessings) from the village of Baghsara’s Temple Priest at our camp.
Relief Riders had been trying to restart their rides in India for three years since the pandemic, and this was the breakthrough trip. Discovering one morning over breakfast in the desert that this wouldn’t have been possible without what I thought was one tiny decision was humbling. The small rural villages we visited were truly in need of the services we provided, and the reciprocal joy we experienced during the visits to schools to deliver supplies and the gratefulness with which the “give-a-goat program” was received felt like we were fulfilling a significant purpose.
Our group was intimate, consisting of just four of us. Sam, a recently retired Navy orthopaedic surgeon from North Carolina, female and about the same age as me, and Chris, age 55, and his 23-year-old nephew from the East Coast, and me, just having turned 54.
Chris who was diagnosed with early-onset, but quite advanced, Alzheimer's, had cherished memories of a previous trip with Alexander, the founder of Relief Riders, sixteen years earlier. Despite his significant condition, we all breathed a huge sigh of relief when his body remembered how to ride a horse.
Heidi and Skylar enjoying a good laugh with students in their classroom at the school in Chua
I have video of him galloping along with us through the desert with an ecstatic smile on his face and it’s magical. His nephew’s patience and care with him, even down to re-explaining each morning how to shower with the bucket of warm water in the seated showers we were provided, was so deeply touching that their story added a very profound layer to my journey.
The entire experience was enlightening. It wasn't just about the physical aid we provided but also the emotional connections we made. For many of the children in the schools we visited, it was their first taste of independently natured Western citizens, and their questions were thoughtful.
For those of you who know horses, your heart would have melted like mine did when the mare that carried the uncle literally turned her whole head around to look at him on her back each time we stopped to seemingly ask him ‘how are you doing up there? You feeling ok?’ It was precious and reflected that deep bond between humans and horses. She knew she had a special passenger, and she was taking great care.
Throughout the trip, I felt an overwhelmingly substantial sense of gratitude, both inside and out. The fundraiser’s contributors didn’t just help me get there; they enabled a chain of events that brought tangible change to many lives, including the Relief Riders’ crew, and their gratitude was palpable. The support that my one, seemingly tiny decision received, resonated through every smile, every thank you, and every life touched by this expedition.
Time to make the educational kits! 1200 kits distributed to 1200 students in 5-7 school visits!
It was an experience I’ll never forget. It really made me look more intently at what I can do to become a better global citizen and contributor to uplifting others. It gave me insight into our shared experience of humanity and that our goals, although sometimes reached through different paths, are so very similar.
It reminded me that my decisions have a ripple effect that I may be unaware of when I make them. And finally, it anchored my belief that one person can make a difference and gave me inspiration to do more.
By Heidi Craig, native Northern Californian, ex-horse trainer turned online international business development coach, who plans on forming a foundation that brings her love for polo, horses and people together, with scholarships and funds available to help others experience life-changing journeys just like this.
-- Heidi Craig
heidiehome@gmail.com
