Through Brittany's Eyes
By Tina Wolfe

On sunny days Dollface romps and plays with the other horses here at Hope for Horses. Her beautiful white coat glistens in the sun and the wind flutters through her mane. Her hind legs fly out behind her in an invitation to play.

To 14-year-old Brittany Sherlin, Dollface is the prettiest horse here. It's not Dollface's beautiful coat or her flowing mane that makes Brittany hand over her weekly allowance to sponsor this pure-bred Arabian horse.

Brittany is drawn to Dollface because she reminds her of herself when she was little. Dollface was born with a facial deformity that landed her at the farm a mere six hours old and she has been here ever since. She has watched horses come and go. And while other horses get petted and groomed, most people walk by Dollface asking, "What happened to her?"

Brittany understands all too well what it feels like to be different. An undiagnosed eye problem had her kindergarten teacher telling Brittany and her mom that she would never make it; that she could forget about college.

The children were not much better. When the problem was finally diagnosed, it wasn't much easier for Brittany. The thick glasses brought about name calling and left her feeling alone.

"I felt left out, different," she recalls, "When I first saw Dollface, she reminded me of myself when I was little. I asked my mom if I could sponsor her with my allowance."

Brittany's mother Glenda remembers that it was Brittany's desire to volunteer with horses that brought them to the farm on a chilly November afternoon.

"She has always been interested in children and horses," Glenda says, "Her room is covered in horses and before she could walk, she just gravitated to them."

For Brittany, it's a way of giving back. She says that when she is here, she feels accepted for who she is and she doesn't feel different.

"You don't have to be a special person, you don't have to be rich," she explains, "You can be yourself."

Despite the hardships that Brittany has endured, her spirit is still strong. She credits family, especially her big brother, Kevin, 29 and her sister, Heather, 23 for always being there for her. This 8th grader has proven her kindergarten teacher wrong by making the A-B Honor Roll at school. She has taught herself sign language, using money her grandmother gave her to buy the books she needed. She plays the alto saxophone in the school band and someday hopes to work with handicapped children and horses.

"Brittany has an incredible fighting spirit," said H4H volunteer coordinator, Lissa Boatright.

"I've learned perseverance from Brittany," says Glenda, "She never gives up!"

Brittany has gained a new level of confidence since meeting Dollface. Her mother says she talks non-stop on the drive home. She has gained new friends and has become stronger.

Today, Brittany's coke-bottle thick glasses have been replaced with sleek stylish ones. And although her eye problem still exists, when Brittany looks at Dollface, she doesn't see a twisted face or dangling tongue, she sees a friend, a source of courage and strength.

"Dollface has given me courage to make friends and stand up for myself," she says.

For me, I don't think Brittany has an eye problem at all, I think she sees beautifully and that makes her very special in our book!