Courageous Lindsay Marriott has fought against all the odds to ride horses. She was born 1969, in Hartlepool, with the genetic condition Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT), otherwise known as Motor Neurone Sensory Deficiency, type two.

This inherited neurological disorder causes patients to slowly loose normal use of their feet/legs and hands/arms as nerves to the extremities degenerate. The muscles in the extremities become weakened because of the loss of stimulation by the affected nerves. There is also a loss of sensory nerve function.

Lindsay was subjected to wearing callipers on both legs when her condition started to worsen at the age of 16. "I think sports day at school was the worst, I always had to stand on the line and watch. Not being able to participate was so hard," she said. It was during her school days that Lindsay met her husband Jason. They both attended rural studies and struck up a special friendship. Their relationship was sealed through their marriage in 1993.

After years of pain, when Lindsay was 20 her specialist suggested that she start to ride horses as part of her physiotherapy programme. With the help of her close friend Anna Ramsey, Jason and Lindsay found her first pony called Domino. "She was a 14.2hh coloured mare who cost me £1800 to buy. That is a lot of money I know, but we had to have a horse that was sensible and very safe," Lindsay said. "Anna spent her valuable time and many hours teaching me balance so that I could stay on, and then ultimately ride.

"My condition deteriorated badly and I have had to undergo 32 operations since the age of 11 just to keep me walking, let alone ride," she said. It was during this time of deterioration that she bought a new 15hh Dales gelding who was broken to drive as well as ride. Lindsay had a very bad fall that had left her confidence in tatters and with the CMT was taking a fierce hold over her life, she was faced with only being able to drive her horse, and no longer ride.

In June 2000 the devastating news she had always dreaded came from her specialist, it was necessary to amputate her right leg just below the knee. "This was an 'elective' amputation as I couldn't stand the pain any more, and coupled with taking up to twelve Morphine tablets a day, it was just too much," Lindsay said. Eight weeks after surgery she was fitted with a prosthetic limb and began the gruelling process of rehabilitation to learn to walk again. "I spoke to a lady who had lost her leg through cancer, she was so helpful and gave me some invaluable advice" Lindsay said. "The limb centre said that it would take up to three to four months to learn to use my leg properly, I did it in six weeks!"

A determined Lindsay fought hard and, with the support of Jason and friends, she managed to ride astride her horse once more although "the balance was terrible," she admitted. "Riding was always my goal and gave me such joy, I didn't want anyone to take that away from me, and I just wouldn't let them."

Months of rehabilitation and riding tuition began to pay off as Lindsay managed to go hunting once again. But then came the blow that her she was going to lose her left leg too, just three years after the first amputation. This time she had no choice. Lindsay had an abscess forming and contracted septicaemia, which was 'touch-and-go' for some time. "It was a shock for both Jason and I, and to be honest I was reeling for a while" she said.

Once again Lindsay had to undergo intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The thought of riding was never far from her mind and she concentrated on getting back in the saddle. "This time I had no balance at all, it was so difficult, and above all else it was too painful putting my body weight into both stumps" she said.

"I had bought a Highland stallion who was broken in for driving, and thought that was what I would end up doing, until a friend suggested that I take up side saddle. I sent my pony to be broken to the side saddle. It was the best thing I ever did, I have been riding side saddle now for two years and I absolutely love it," she said. "I look at my CMT in a positive manner; I was always so determined to ride horses, it kept me going. I knew that I couldn't ride thoroughbreds, so settled with wonderful native ponies that I could drive as well as ride. It didn't matter to me, it was a horse. I had to be realistic."

Lindsay is positive and maintains her sense of humour. "One day I was turning my pony out and got my false leg stuck in the mud and it popped off. Left hanging onto the gate and pony I shouted for Jason for help. He came out laughing hysterically with a camcorder in hand explaining that this was one for Jeremy Beadle.

"Another time I got off a train and heard a crack as the cup which holds the stump in place snapped. I told the porter that I had 'broken' my leg. Fifteen minutes later the ambulance arrived and I explained that all I needed was some duck tape. They were horrified that I would think of mending my broken leg with tape, until I rolled up my trouser leg!"

Lindsay and Jason have decided not to have children as the risk of CMT being carried on is too high. "I remembered what it felt like on the line at sports day and can't let our child have that same feeling. For now I think that horses and dogs are enough," she said. Asked if not being able to sit on a beach and swim upset her, Lindsay said, "I have swimming legs!" If she went swimming in her 'everyday' legs, they would rise to the surface and she would go under, whereas the swimming legs are weighted. Lindsay also has 'posh' legs that are covered in a skin-like fabric and specially-made riding legs. "The first riding legs had the buckle that snaps them on to the stump on the inside, and once I was riding and the buckle snapped open and my leg dropped off" she said. "The limb fitting centre has been very patient with me and designed a pair with the buckle on the outside. End of problem!"

Lindsay's ambition is to go hunting for a full day riding side saddle and her message to other amputees is simple; "You are only disabled as much as your head allows you to be. Be positive and laugh". "I am the lucky one really, I found my soul mate in Jason, he has been by my side through thick and thin and I have such true friends, which is a lot more than some people have."

Published: 31/12/2004