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  When
Joshua Roussell rode a horse for the first time a few months ago, his
parents couldn't believe it. It was a first for Joshua, 8, who is autistic.
Now, Joshua is a prize-winning equestrian. July 20-22 at the James B.
Hunt Horse Complex, he took home silver in the Working Trails Western
Style Division and bronze in the Equestrian Showmanship Halter/Bridle
Division in the Special
Olympics North Carolina Midsummer Games.
The Roussells are transplants in Wake Forest, moving here from New Orleans
after losing it all in Hurricane Katrina.
Joshua is in a program for special needs kids called GRACE -- Greater
Raleigh Autistic Children's Enrichment -- created by Robert and Susan
Belton, who own Steppin' Heaven Stables in Louisburg.
Joshua had tried other sports, but nothing took hold, his dad, Louis,
said. The first time Joshua saw a horse he was afraid, but with some gentle
coaxing from the Beltons, he started riding.
"He loves horses now, but he doesn't have a favorite. With Joshua,
it doesn't matter as long as he's riding," Roussell said.
"The horses and kids are wonderful together," Susan Belton said.
"Joshua was such a blast when he won. He got off his horse, spun
in a circle on one foot, and gave his dad a big bear hug."
Article Written By: Columnist Teri Saylor of the North Raleigh
section of the News & Observer. Saylor can be reach at terisaylor@hotmail.com.
To nominate a person to be featured in "Spotlight", contact
Lisa Pleasants by phone at 1-800-843-6276, ext. 110, or by e-mail at lpleasants@sonc.net.
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