Although Sarah enjoys many different hobbies and interests ranging from golf to sailing, she hadn’t considered gardening until she went on one of Thrive’s weekends to help blind and partially sighted people start or continue gardening.
Marfan Syndrome affects Sarah’s sight, balance and coordination and she describes herself as a 'gardening novice’ but was very enthusiastic after the course: "I met some lovely people and my tutors were incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable. I feel that I have learnt so much about gardening - my favourite bit of the weekend was learning about potting on and hanging baskets. I planted a fuchsia and lavender which I took home with me."
Sarah has also benefited from the free services that Thrive offers visually impaired gardeners. These range from inspirational story CDs, gardening starter packs and gardening advice over the phone or by email, to a 55-page full colour gardening yearbook, National Blind Gardeners’ Club and the Blind Gardener of the Year competition.
Sarah was also pleased to get ideas on which tools to use: "I really enjoyed learning about the gardening tools. Short tools for working close to the ground and tools with interchangeable heads are great." Thrive usually recommends that people who have sight loss garden close to the ground and use a tool in one hand while feeling their way with the other hand. Tools suitable for use with one hand, such as one-handed grass shears and cut and hold secateurs, which stop the cuttings dropping to the ground, are particularly good.
Sarah concludes: "Thank you so much to all who organised the Thrive weekend. I learnt so much and look forward to going again."
Thank you for caring.