Gardening from a Wheelchair

Recently I began interviewing disabled gardeners. For the next few articles, I'll share the story of these very determined gardeners. This week, my interviewee suffers from the after-effects of having polio as a child. Here is her story:

I've been disabled (polio) since infancy, so was not encouraged to do things like gardening. Not until I was in my 50s and had raised three children and was living alone did I venture to have a raised garden built for me in my backyard. I use a motorized wheelchair and would have requested that the raised garden be built narrower. Since it is 4' X12' I can not do much with the 2' in the middle. But, I plant along the edges, and have as part of the summer duties of my personal assistant those gardening chores which I cannot do myself.

How does your disability affect your gardening?

My right arm is dysfunctional, and my left arm is weak, so I have to tend my garden in short time spaces, perhaps 15 minutes, 3 times a day, when needed.

What special tools have you found that help you overcome your limitations?

I have a "Leister Hoe," which was invented by a local man (who lives across the street from me and donated one to my gardening efforts). It is smaller than a regular hoe and help me with weeding. I also have a long "reacher" and a short "reacher" that helps me with harvesting vegetables.

Has this limitation to gardening had a psychological affect on you?

Since I wasn't encouraged to do such things as a child, and didn't think to question it in early adulthood, the psychological effect it has on me now is quite positive. I love choosing what I'll plant, planting, watching things grow, and benefiting from their beauty and vitality.

What advice would you give to another gardener that developed the same condition that changed your gardening style?

If you have an urge to garden - do it. Where there's a will, there's a way, even if it's only supervising the labor of your decisions.

Thank you Amaris, for sharing your story with my readers.