How a Garden Tool Became My Latest Assistive Device

Before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I used to do a bit of gardening. Perhaps it was the memory of the massive vegetable patch my father kept in our back garden, or maybe it was my years at sea that gave me an appreciation for having my hands in the soil of the earth. Likely it was a combination of the two, along with the joy of growing my own food. Whatever the reason, I’ve liked gardening for a good while and find it a wonderful way to enjoy a fine day. And now that I have MS, gardening is nearly the perfect hobby for me, for a number of reasons: The best hours to work in the garden are before and after the hottest parts of the day, which are also the best hours for a person with MS to be active. Even a little bit of work in a small patch (which might be all that an MS day will allow) can show itself as a fine, weed-free patch. When (not if) I fall over, there isn’t far to go if I’m on my knees planting or weeding. Raised beds are the perfect height for leaning over or even sitting while puttering in the dirt. Gardening can be inexpensive if you start plants from seeds, and especially if you harvest your own seeds from flowers, fruits, and vegetables. We have some lovely shade beds as well as some partly shaded beds and full-sun areas, so I can cater my day to the weather (and my MS). There is no need to rush in the garden. Gardening gives me something “normal” to do alone or with my wife (and the dogs usually like to be involved on some level, ...
Source: Life with MS - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: multiple sclerosis Living with MS MS fall MS fatigue MS Fitness trevis gleason Source Type: blogs