The Difficulty Veronica, who lives in a New York suburb, has MS and, as a keen gardener, was disheartened that digging in her garden and transplanting perennials had become too tiring for her to continue doing. “Gardening would drain my energy within minutes of attempting to weed, dig, or do anything and the gardening tools … Continue reading Gardening with Multiple Sclerosis
The Difficulty Fred survived a stroke but it left him unable to walk or use his left arm which took him some time to come to terms with. Having had various therapies he can now walk quite well, but his left arm remains very weak and he can no longer drive. Fred also finds balance … Continue reading Gardening with Stroke Survival
The Difficulty John is in his 80’s and is a tetraplegic after a fall from a ladder whilst pruning an apple tree. John suffered a broken neck and severe spinal cord injuries which left him totally paralysed and wheelchair-bound. Fortunately, some feeling and movement gradually returned to one side of his body. With help and … Continue reading Gardening with Spinal Injuries
The Difficulty When Morgan Hands was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a common form of arthritis causing joint and muscle pain, she thought her gardening days were over. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to spend much time gardening as she would get tired after doing very little. It was extremely frustrating and because of her … Continue reading Gardening with Fibromyalgia
NAME: Morgan Hands DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED: Fibromyalgia, a form of arthritis causing joint and muscle pain It was becoming increasingly difficult for me to spend very long gardening and I would get tired after doing very little. It was extremely frustrating and I often overdid it, determined not to give in to my body telling me … Continue reading Morgan enjoys gardening again with Peta UK’s long reach tools
Garden Tools
Horticultural Therapy is a recognised therapeutic approach that uses gardening activities to enhance mental and physical well-being, such as improved motor skills and increased activity levels. Gardening fosters social connections, helping combat loneliness and encouraging a sense of purpose. Horticultural Therapy is one of the activities offered through Green Social Prescribing—the practice of recommending nature-based … Continue reading The Benefits of Green Social Prescribing
DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED: Spinal cord injury which has left me wheelchair bound and a tetralegic My problems started nearly nine years ago, when I was 76, after I fell from a ladder whilst pruning an apple tree in my garden. I suffered a broken neck and severe spinal cord injuries which left me totally paralysed and wheelchair bound. … Continue reading Add-On Handles and Arm Support help John to garden again
NAME: Dale Cranshaw, Director ORGANISATION: Growing Support CIC DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED: Primarily we work with older people and people with dementia in their own care home gardens. Many of the residents we support in our social and therapeutic gardening sessions find it difficult to handle and lift traditional gardening tools due to the tools weight and … Continue reading Growing Support
NAME: Fred Nicholls DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED: Stroke survivor. “To begin with I was unable to walk or use my left arm which was very difficult to come to terms with at first. I can now walk quite well thanks to various therapies but my left arm is still very weak and I can no longer drive. … Continue reading Fred doesn’t give up with the help of Peta UK’s garden tools
