<div><p>On the day she and her twin sister were born, little Amber was rushed to intensive care for an emergency tracheostomy.</p><p>Within moments of birth, doctors performed the live-saving procedure that would make it possible for the tiny girl to breathe. </p><p>Unfortunately, the pipe that makes it possible for her to breath made it impossible for her to speak. </p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ambersdonkey/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/AMBER-FAMILY-902031.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/AMBER-FAMILY-902031_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ambersdonkey/" target="_blank">Amber's Donkey</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>The placement of the pipe meant that no air would flow over her vocal cords, which means her family would likely never hear her talk or laugh. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>Her parents' main concern was that she wouldn't be able to express herself when it came time for her to go to school. </p><p>Thankfully, when she was three years old, doctors fitted her with a Passy-Muir valve. This special valve opens when air is exhaled, allowing breath to pass over the vocal cords. </p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ambersdonkey/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-12.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-12_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-12_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ambersdonkey/" target="_blank">Amber's Donkey</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Although she had the tools to speak, Amber still needed to learn how to use them. For days, Amber continued to use sign language rather than speak.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>Then her parents had an idea. When she was two-and-a-half, Amber made a very special connection with a battered donkey named Shocks. Maybe he could help their little girl. </p><p><strong>Read about Shock's miracle on Page 2...</strong></p><p></p><h3>Shocks</h3><p>Like Amber, Shocks had a tough start to his life. He was found with a rope bound so tightly around his neck that his neck was severely lacerated. </p><p>As a result of his horrible abuse, he was terrified of people and very distrustful. </p><p>Thankfully, he was rescued by Donkey Sanctuary's Assisted therapy Centre in Birmingham, England.</p><p>It was there that he made a very special connection with Amber.</p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-8.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-8_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-8_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Amber's Donkey</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>When she was about two-and-a-half, little Amber was still very sickly. </p><p>She could barely hold her head up on her own and required constant medical intervention to clean the trachy tube - sometimes 100 times a day.</p><p>Amber also had cerebral palsy, which made it difficult for her move. But when she met Shocks, the shy little donkey lowered his head to Amber.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>That's when she reached her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. They bonded immediately.</p><p>The miracles didn't stop there though, see what happens next on Page 3...</p><p></p><p></p><h3>Strengthening Bonds And Bodies</h3><p>Amber began riding therapy with Shocks and her transformation was incredible. Over time, she developed muscles that lead her to taking her first steps. </p><p>Shock's trust and gentle nature with the little girl enabled her to start walking and balancing more and more. </p><p>"It was to do with confidence and trust," says Tracy. "They trusted each other, no words needed to be said, they just got on with it." </p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-3.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-3_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-3_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Amber's Donkey</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>With Amber's incredible improvement physically, her mother dared to hope for one more miracle. One day, while training with Shocks, Amber's mom attached the special valve with a wish in hear heart...</p><p>When it came time to say goodbye, little Amber leaned into Shocks fuzzy neck and spoke her first words:</p><p>"I love you Shocky."</p><p>Amber's mother wept at the sound of hearing her baby's voice.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><h3>Shock's Surprise</h3><p>Amber wasn't the only silent party in this special duo. Shocks had been so traumatized by his abuser that he too had never made a sound since his rescue. </p><p>No one at the sanctuary had heard Shocks' bray, a signature sound each donkey makes to announce their presence or request food.</p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-13.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-13_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/therapy-donkey-helps-girl-speak-amber-13_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Amber's Donkey</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Six months after Amber first spoke, she was admitted to the hospital with a severe infection. She was unable to see her beloved Shocks for two months.</p><p>But, on the day she returned to the sanctuary to see sweet Shocks, the gentle donkey was so happy to see her that he let out his first bray!</p><p>Amber and Shocks exchanged miracles in those six months, each one healing the other.</p><p>Follow Amber's story on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ambersdonkey/photos/?ref=page_internal">Facebook</a>, or order the book online:<em> <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Ambers-Donkey-donkey-little-healed-ebook/dp/B015VXKLZO">Amber's Donkey: How a Donkey and a Little Girl Healed Each Other by Julian and Tracy Austwick</a></em></p><p>[h/t <a href="http://www.fuzzfix.com/mute-girl-surprises-everyone-tells-therapy-donkey-magical-words/" target="_blank">Fuzzfix</a> ]</p></div>
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