On the 13th of October 2005, my husband Peter sustained a spinal cord injury that changed his life forever. Last year, Peter returned to hospital for surgery, spending six months at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville.
It was an incredibly difficult and emotional time for us all. Throughout those long months, Horatio’s Garden became our sanctuary and somewhere we could escape the hospital environment – even whilst bed-bound, to breathe, talk, and simply spend time together in beautiful surroundings.
The garden and its wonderful staff gave us so much support. They created a welcoming space where Peter could enjoy being outside and where our family could come together when life felt anything but normal.
Horatio’s Garden also gave us the opportunity to celebrate important family moments. We gathered together for birthdays and, most memorably, brought our family together to meet our first granddaughter. It may sound simple, but during such a challenging period those moments meant absolutely everything to us.
It also provided a sanctuary where I and other patient family members could meet, forging friendships and offering support.
There was no Horatio’s Garden 21 years ago when Peter was first at Stoke Mandeville and we all know that his recovery was aided immeasurably due to this wonderful space.
The garden gave us somewhere to make memories during a time that could otherwise have been defined only by hospitals, uncertainty and worry.
One year on since Peter’s surgery, I’m running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11th October as a small way of giving something back to a charity that gave our family so much. I know that every donation can help Horatio’s Garden continue to provide these beautiful, restorative spaces and the support that makes such a difference to people with spinal injuries and their families.