I’m James, I’m 39, and I used to run a small business. My work involved cross-checking data and identifying trends. But after a life-altering accident in Italy, I found myself navigating an entirely different challenge: a spinal cord injury.
Whilst on holiday, I was a passenger on a motor trike that fell 30 meters down a cliffside. The accident was sudden, and although I received immediate help, it took an hour and a half to be airlifted to a hospital in Verona. It was only before emergency surgery that I was able to grasp the full extent of my injury. I’m really grateful for the exceptional care I received, and I plan to one day return to Italy with my family to thank the medical staff that saved me.
Following two weeks in Italy and further care at a local UK hospital, I arrived at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), Stanmore, where my rehabilitation began. It was here that I was introduced to Horatio’s Garden.
I started using the garden on my second day. I was wheeled into the garden room while still in my hospital bed. It was a surreal experience and I knew that things would begin to change from this point onward. I’d been previously considering private hospital care, but as soon as I saw the gardens I texted my father instantly. We didn’t need a private hospital, it was amazing right there.
Over time, the garden became a safe space for my family and friends. We found it to feel warm and comforting, opposed to the wards that could sometimes feel stark and grey. With my two young children, Harrison and Charlotte, the garden also provided a vital space where they could play, draw, and explore freely, without disturbing other patients.
For me, the garden’s impact was profound. It wasn’t just about being outside; the garden encourages friendships and a sense of normalcy in an otherwise isolating environment. The thoughtfully designed spaces, including the pods and the garden room, allowed me to entertain my visitors, spend quality time with my children, and even challenge myself with tasks like making coffee.
The garden has played a key part in my rehabilitation process. I found it uplifting to be there as the space was always so welcoming. The ability to go outside, feel the daylight, and share the garden with others was instrumental to my mental wellbeing. If I had been in isolation without visitors, I would have gone insane.
I’ve now reunited with my wife and children in Chester and have begun partaking in Paratriathlons, where I recently came first in the PTWC category! I’ve found that the sport gives me a focus, a goal, and determination. We also welcomed a new addition to our family, our daughter, Olivia.
For me, the garden wasn’t just a place – it was a lifeline, a space that made an immeasurable difference during one of the most difficult times of my life.
