To reach their goals, they are committing substantial time and sweat equity into restoring the land and buildings.
The Firelys purchased a 46-acre farm that was once a well-established ranch that had fallen into disarray. Marty and Holly were more determined than ever to make their dream a reality, but of course, nothing worth having is ever achieved without effort. With a desire to provide EAT affordably to more children, the next step became clear: They needed their own farm. But they also knew it was not an approved insurance-covered treatment - which made it cost-prohibitive for most families. And since they also were caring for the medically fragile population, the Firelys were already well aware of the benefits of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for disabled and at-risk children. Marty and Holly’s daughters had grown up owning their own horse and taking riding lessons, and they witnessed firsthand the special connection between the children and the horses. The one activity that was the most popular was the one reason why Holly and Marty worked so hard to make this camp happen: horseback riding. Wanting to provide their clients with the kinds of everyday experiences that others take for granted, the Firelys started a Camp for Kids program in Bradford County, PA.īy taking children and young adults away to camp, it allowed the parents/caregivers to have a respite while providing the opportunity for the “kids to be kids,” which included taking boat rides, going to amusement parks, and more. After much discussion and prayer with her husband Marty, the couple decided to create their own in-home agency, Harleysville Pediatric Home Care.Īlways looking for ways to do more, they expanded through a medical daycare and pediatric residential program, as well as residential homes for older clients who had aged out of the pediatric population.īut Holly and Marty realized that providing for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities meant more than just meeting their physical needs - and that their social and emotional needs were often neglected.
Inspired by watching her mother tirelessly care for Richie, Holly became a Registered Nurse and started caring for other children both in the hospital and as part of a home care team.īeing a part of these special children’s lives and seeing how families struggled to care for them weighed on Holly. As a toddler, her younger brother Richie became very ill with meningitis, leaving him with physical and intellectual disabilities requiring around-the-clock care. Holly Firely grew up knowing that no two children are alike.
0 kommentar(er)
