July 31, 2024

Kevin’s story

My name is Kevin, I’m 63 years old and I’ve been a resident cancer nurse since 1984.

I began suffering falls and could no longer walk in a straight line, so I was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital near Brighton. I had an MRI scan which revealed that I had a tumour on my spine. I underwent surgery to remove the tumour, which was found to be benign, and I now have an incomplete spinal injury. This means that I have movement in my upper body and I can move my legs, but I am unable to stand so I now use a wheelchair.

When I was told I was being transferred from the Princess Royal Hospital to the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville I felt apprehensive. I didn’t know the area and it was far away from my home meaning my family and friends wouldn’t be able to visit me as often. When I arrived I was given a tour of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, however I was more interested in Horatio’s Garden. I started making use of the garden straight away. My ward is next to Horatio’s Garden so it was easy to just roll outside and there were no obstacles. It’s safe.

The garden is so beautiful and it’s nice that there are layers of plants. I particularly like the pod-shaped areas as they give you privacy and space to reflect if you don’t want to be disturbed. I also really like the garden room, and the tables and chairs create a lovely sociable space – I come out here three or four times a day and I also have a drink here before bed. The garden is such a good space for socialising with other patients and I have made some really good friends here. We have a good laugh which really uplifts our mood.

As well as the garden itself, I enjoy the arts activities that take place in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. I’ve done marble painting which was really good, and I like to listen to the different musicians that come and perform. I also take lots of beautiful photos of the planting during photography sessions which are lovely. When you’re a patient you see the sun go up and down each day, following the same boring routine everyday. Whereas this isn’t boring! There is more here to draw you outside, not even just for my age group but for the young people who enjoy the garden too.

My visitors also love the garden! It has made visiting much more enjoyable for them as there’s nothing more boring than talking beside a hospital bed. The garden offers a lovely alternative place to sit with people and it makes visits feel more normal. David, who I live with, appreciates the garden so much that it’s even given him ideas for his own garden at home. The people on my bay love using the garden to meet their relatives too.

There’s lots of volunteers that like being in the garden, and they make wonderful cakes and do some brilliant gardening. If I lived in the area, I’d want to come back here, even in my wheelchair, to volunteer.

It’s also really inspiring to see former patients or people who are wheelchair users with jobs helping out in the garden. It’s great to have the opportunity to have patient education outdoors and to speak to ex-patients about the garden.

I urge fellow patients to enjoy the garden for what it is, even if you’re not a gardener. Just come out here and you’ll soon find you’ll be right at home.

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