Two of her four children have degenerative diseases that include severe autism and epilepsy and the older of the two has no speech at all.

 

''Disabilities - it's what I am,'' Ms Thompson said. ''Cumulatively, I've had 47 years of dealing with intense disability. A lot of it was just about getting through one day at a time. It was tough.''

 

Ms Thompson also has 15 years' experience as a professional fundraiser in the not-for-profit sector and a great love of horses, a combination that makes her a good fit for the job.

 

Pegasus, a not-for-profit community organisation that provides equestrian activities for people with disabilities, has 89 clients, 274 volunteers and 17 horses.