Unbreakable Spirit: From Pain to Power in the Saddle

A Special Event for the International Day of People with Disability with para-equestrian Jessie Smith Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal talk from a passionate para-equestrian and disability advocate whose journey will leave you moved, motivated, and rethinking what’s possible, presented in recognition of the International Day of People with Disability. Horse-mad since the age of three, her dreams were just beginning to take shape when, at 14, her life changed overnight with a devastating diagnosis—Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, one of the most painful conditions in the world. Despite years of treatment and being left partially hemiplegic, she refused to let her diagnosis define her future. Today, she competes at the highest levels of able-bodied Dressage, represents her state, and rides alongside her team of national-level horses—proving that resilience and determination can defy even the toughest odds. In this powerful session, she shares her journey through grief, identity, and mental health struggles, including the darkest moments where giving up felt easier than going on. Through raw honesty and lived experience, she now advocates for disability awareness, shining a light on the barriers faced in an inaccessible world—and, importantly, how we can break them down together. This is more than a story of hardship—it’s a story of strength, hope, and transformation. ✨ Come and discover how adversity can become your greatest source of power—and why you should never give up hope. Mawson Lakes Library Friday 4 December 1.30pm-2.30pm