Since 1983, the Rainbow Connection program has existed. Every summer one of the places group members bring their horses is out to the William Chamberland Equestrian Center, which is located on the city's Ruth Arcand Park. There they provide handicapped kids and adults horseback riding therapy to help make their bodies stronger.

Proposition 8

CBS 11 News met Kyle Anderson back in the the summer of 2000. It was pretty evident how much the Rainbow Connection program helped him.

"Kyle has cerebral palsy. He's been pretty involved. He requires help for everything, and so we see things in little steps. And so sometimes, the little things of him being able to take one thing from one hand and take it to

another, or being able to ridge himself back up after falling over to one side in his wheelchair, or even sitting on the couch," said Kyle's mom, Tina Anderson.

While Kyle has since passed away, the program's founder, Annie Mabry, remembers the changes she saw as Kyle rode on her horses for years.

"So he was developing strength in his trunk. He was developing dexterity. Once you have strength in your trunk, the extremities work better. Lots of reaching exercises, that sort of thing. The other is, I think, self confidence. Most important, I think, being up there on a horse. You're not down there in a wheelchair," said Annie Mabry of the Rainbow Connection.

When folks are up high, since the horses walk the way humans walk, this horseback riding therapy helps make their bodies stronger. While just about everyone thinks the group's cause is a noble one, the problem is the group cannot find a permanent home and build an indoor facility to make this a year round program. Voting yes on Tuesday would let them do that.

"It's at no cost to taxpayers. The reason we need this is because it's dedicated park land. And even though it was dedicated to horses, because of what the nature of what it is, it needs to have a yes vote. Anything that is built would eventually go back to the city. So its a win, win," said Mabry.

"The reason they need a long-term lease is kind of why you want a mortgage on a house, so that you can, you know you own your house. You can do improvements and, you know, that that house is yours. If you're renting a house year by year, or a month by month lease, you can't be guaranteed that you'll be able to make improvements or stay there," said Scawna Thoma of the Mayor's Office.

These are improvements Rainbow Connection members and the Anchorage Horse Council hope you'll say, "Yes," to letting them make come true on Tuesday. This is because they say they want to be able to help folks like Kyle Anderson year round.

"I

saw him smile a lot more and laugh a lot more. I saw him gain more control of his body. And I saw his parents and grandparents very proud when they came out to a horse show," said Mabry.

To contact Matthew, call 907-273-3186.