My Next Kt Shepherd Permaculture Steps

Edible Garden - wheelchair style

Hello!
 
It’s been a long, long time since I have shared anything here in the hub of Kt Shepherd Permaculture.

Throughout 2017 I had increasing and rapid problems with my health, resulting in being diagnosed with Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, (M.E.), in July. I had been unable to do any work, (either nursing or permaculture), since May. And once I knew what was wrong with me I needed to put all my precious energy into figuring out how I was going to survive and get better from, this new and very disabled place I found myself in.
 
I pinned notices on my website, saying I would be away from my work, until my health improved
 
I have learnt over this time about the many levels of complexity -  physically, socially, politically, emotionally, spiritually - that is the reality and experience of M.E.
 
I’m not going to use this space to focus on my illness. There is a huge amount of online information out there about these aspects of M.E.  Two of my favourite resources I can recommend to learn more, are Unrest, (a powerful, beautiful film released in the months following my own diagnosis. And, the Phoenix Rising Website.
 
Towards the end of last year, I remained very physically unwell, in bed for over twenty hours a day, (on good days). But cognitively I had improved and I had started longing for more connection with my permaculture work again. I made the decision to accept the experience of the new reality I found myself in, instead of putting 100% of my time and energy into finding a ‘cure’. All I have learnt about M.E. suggests to me that I could well live in the low functioning state I am in for many more months, maybe  years.  I want that time to be as great as possible.
 
As soon as I made the choice to design a way of returning to my permaculture work, I felt an emotional and spiritual weight lift. It felt more empowered and optimistic than I had for a long, long time.
 
So here I am.
 
Initially I’m planning on creating short, regular posts, explaining how I have used permaculture design ethics, tools and principles to ensure I thrive as much as possible while living with and healing from a chronic illness.
 
Watch this space