Kt Shepherd Permaculture Blog

Lyme Disease Awareness in Permaculture

21/4/2019

Lyme disease awareness packs available from Lyme Disease UK (link below)

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It's usually easier to treat if it's diagnosed early. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, but the numbers of those who do, are thought to be rising, in a response to Climate Change.

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia, a spirochete bacteria. It’s the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere and there are multiple strains of the bacteria. Lyme disease is endemic in many parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in woodland or heath-land areas but disease carrying ticks can also be found in cities and gardens.

Lyme disease not treated immediately, or not treated according to 2018 NICE (NHS) guidelines, can result in long term severely disabling illness, which is nearly always much more difficult and sometimes impossible to fully treat.

Last year I was diagnosed with long term complications from Lyme disease - these are the main symptoms I experienced at the time I was diagnosed. Thankfully, many of these are improving although I continue to be very disabled at present.

Comprehensive information about Lyme disease prevention, detection and treatment can be found on the Lyme Disease UK website.

Given that most permaculture demonstration sites and events are based at least partially outdoors, it's essential that folk facilitating and attending these projects and events are aware about preventing tick bites, and then being able to identify early signs of possible Lyme Disease infection, alongside accessing prompt medical intervention.

Lyme Disease UK produce an excellent (free) awareness pack which includes both posters to display and leaflets and "essential info" cards designed to be given away for individual use. I urge anyone organising and facilitating outdoor permaculture events to send off for these packs to generate increased awareness of Lyme disease for people attending their projects and events.

You can send off for a Lyme disease awareness pack via the link below

Lyme Disease UK Awareness Packs

I will be posting more about Lyme Disease from my social media spaces throughout Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May . Feel free to connect with me on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . You can also sign up to my newsletter for monthly updates about my creative permaculture projects, plus links to inspiring work from other women in permaculture.

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Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability - top tips

4/4/2019

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Top tips for permaculture events/courses facilitators and permaculture demonstration sites

Kt Shepherd Illustrations

In February of this year I published an article on my blog - Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability - positives, challenges and suggestions for a more inclusive permaculture. In this post I share the "top tips" for permaculture events/courses facilitators and permaculture demonstration sites, arising from the article.

(These top tips are also available as a PDF here)

Include as much information as possible (in the course/event marketing and in the event joining information) about physical access issues, the availability of quiet resting spaces and the ability to support additional learning needs.
Ask about specific needs as part of the event joining information. Be honest and realistic about whether these needs can be met.
Consider having lower cost or free places for Carers of people with CI/D. (Chronic Illness and/or Disability)
Invite a person with CI/D to speak or lead a session/workshop at events and on courses about accessing permaculture for people with CI/D.
Include people with CI/D as part of the design team when creating permaculture information sharing, event, courses or new designs for demonstration sites.
Consider whether learning materials/event/course/volunteering options could be broken down into smaller sections. Is it be possible to charge for each section separately? (This would avoid a person with a CI/D needing to pay a full price for only attending a fraction of the event.)
Design Permaculture Design Courses (PDC) as modular courses (either online or face to face) so that people can attend and pay for one module at a time.
Choose venues and activities for your events that are accessible for people who have reduced mobility and who need for spaces to rest.
Ensure provision of quiet spaces to rest at events/courses/demonstration sites, including space to lie down.
Design new demonstration sites (and redesign existing sites) so that they include accessibility for people with CI/D as a core function.
Create a “buddy” system in your local permaculture network and/or events – with the aim of providing extra support for people with CI/D, thereby improving inclusivity.
Create a culture of care and empowerment at your event/course/demonstration site. Ensure awareness of permission and encouragement for people to take time out for self-care whenever they need to.
Provide “hidden illness/disability” badges/lanyards at events, together with information about what these mean and how others could help.
Use diverse teaching/learning materials – including take-away/digital handouts detailing the main points covered and explaining any terminology and acronyms.
Design short, diverse teaching/information-sharing/workshop sessions with regular breaks.
Provide information and engage in awareness-raising relating to health risks that may result from attending permaculture events and demonstration sites. Some examples of these are tick-borne illnesses (Lyme disease and others); leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) from urine of infected animals, most commonly from rats; injuries and their associated sepsis risk; sunburn/heatstroke.

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Lyme Disease Awareness in Permaculture

Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability - top tips

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