DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. -- The story of a 20-year-old Dinwiddie woman who was badly injured in a freak farming accident continues to inspire generosity in her community.
A recent gift comes in the form of Central Virginia Horse Rescue's donation of a quarter horse to Katy Daniel’s twin sister, Taylor, so she can ride at her sister’s side when Katy has recovered enough to leave the hospital.
Katy Daniel
“Katy and I have both wanted horses of our own since we were little,” said Taylor. “It’s good for her to have what she loves to do, right at her house. Horses, for Katy, they’re going to be her therapy.”
Katy’s scalp was pulled from her head in a severe accident where her ponytail became snagged in a piece of farming equipment.
The #KatyStrong movement on social media has inspired an outpouring of support from local well-wishers.
The result has been more than tens of thousands of dollars raised to go toward Katy's medical bills, and a large volunteering effort to complete projects on her property - including finishing work on the very horse paddock that Katy was working on when she was injured.
Recently, the Daniels have also received gifts for Katy such as head-wraps and hats.
Katy with family
“That's what's going to give her comfort to face the public again,” says Kyle Daniel, Katy’s brother.
“It's easy for us to say just come on back out to the real world, but we're not in her shoes. So it's going to be a little bit of a struggle for her, and for people to do things like that, it's just amazing.”
Taylor said that the horse is a meaningful gift for her because it’s important she and her sister be able to ride together, as a team.
The horse Taylor received is a 18-year-old mare named Serenity, who the Daniels say is sweet, well-behaved and easy going.
“You have to get the right horse,” Taylor said. “Got to make sure it’s a good horse, a broke horse, a sweet horse. You can’t just go get a horse.”
Katy's twin sister Taylor
Taylor added that Serenity is like a “miracle”.
“She popped up out of the blue, kind of,” she said. “She’s a rescue, which makes it even better… Riding [our horses together] will keep Katy’s mind off of what’s going on, make sure she heals strong. You have to be a strong person, to deal with horses.”
Katy has another surgery scheduled for Monday, and will face many more in the years to come. But the Daniels remain confident that Katy’s tough spirit and the generosity of her community will see her through.
“Katy has her good days, Katy has her bad days,” said Kyle. “But I will say Katy has more good days then she does bad days."
