Category: Chronic Illness & Disability

Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability

11/2/2019

- positives, challenges and suggestions for a more inclusive permaculture

Use and Value Diversity - illustration by me

(This blog post is also available as a PDF here )

(Mainly UK-focused, though many aspects applicable to other countries too.)

Since becoming very unwell and disabled nearly two years ago, I have learnt very quickly about what it means to be a person with disabilities attempting to navigate everyday life – and within that life, being unable to access many of the things I had previously taken for granted. Given that permaculture knowledge, experience, events and demonstration sites were previously a big part of my life, I have become increasingly aware of how difficult it would be for me to now access many of these things; in some cases it would be impossible. If I can’t participate in these events that are so important in my life, I wondered how many other people are also struggling to engage and connect with permaculture because of chronic illness and/or disability.

As I started thinking about this in more depth, I set up a Facebook group with the intention of connecting with other people in the permaculture community with chronic illness and/or disability. (CI/D).

(Recently, after some discussion in the Facebook group, it was decided that it made sense to add “neurodiversity” to the name and themes of the group too. The topic of neurodiversity inclusion isn’t discussed in this article, as the decision to add neurodiversity to the subject content in the Facebook group was made once I had started writing this post up. Many of the issues mentioned here – though not all of them – will also be relevant to neurodivergent people)

If at this point you need more information about the definitions of chronic illness and disability then please see the links shared in "Designing Solutions", further on in this article.

In addition to setting up the group, I went on to openly ask some questions about accessing permaculture for people with CI/D in several UK focused Facebook groups about permaculture and also via a post on the Permaculture Association (Britain) online noticeboard. People were invited to respond to the following questions, either in public in the group or by emailing me. In total, 47 people (mainly from the UK) responded in one of these ways. The aim of this information-gathering was to access reflections on experiences; it was a place to start a conversation rather than to undertake a structured research project.

Here are the summaries and direct (anonymous) quotes of the responses to each question.

(This article is quite lengthy, as I wanted to be able to include the voices of as many people as possible.)

1) Do you identify as having a chronic illness and/or disability?

A diverse range of chronic illnesses and/or disabilities were included in the response to this question. These included physical illnesses, mental illnesses, learning disabilities (including dyslexia) and physical disabilities. Several people were keen to include neurodiversity as a disability too, as they pointed out that the education and benefits systems in the UK treat it as such. Many people also said that their illness and/or disability was a ‘hidden’ one, meaning that other people couldn’t immediately tell if the person with the chronic illness and/or disability had extra needs. A common theme evolved around many people feeling disabled by their environment, which frequently does not allow differently abled people to participate in life as they need to or would like to. Anyone has the potential to have additional needs and people with chronic illness and/or disability should be accepted to self define this, and not judged by others in doing so.

Some people who responded didn’t identify as having a CI/D, though they had witnessed the experiences of people with CI/D accessing permaculture events and demonstration sites.

2) Do you have examples of where accessing permaculture knowledge, demonstration sites and events have been adapted to the needs of someone with a chronic illness and/or disability? This might be your own needs, or someone else you have observed being supported well.

Several people mentioned great examples of how their needs relating to CI/D had been met at a variety of permaculture events and sites. These included:

Being asked about specific needs before the event;
A culture of being able to have rest/quiet time whenever needed;
Frequent breaks;
Short learning sessions;
Diverse styles of teaching/facilitation;
The option of completing a permaculture design course in small sections, over a period of months or years.

There were also a couple of examples of places that had easily accessible compost toilets.

Some statements made were:

“Kindness from the course facilitator meant a lot.”
“I have been able to choose a course based on my style of learning.”
“Fully accessible composting toilets both in the workshop space and in the accommodation.”
“Being disabled gives you opportunity for slow and thorough observation – from individual needs to the collective “hive”.
“I have been treated well at some events I have attended.”
“Pre-arranged parking near to our place (permaculture project) can be done.”
“Help from the teacher – time out space and the option of time out whenever needed.”

3) Have you, or anybody else you have witnessed, been unable to access permaculture knowledge and/or demonstration sites and/or events because of your chronic illness and/or disability?

Some statements that reflect general themes were:

“I have witnessed many events where access for some people is very restricted, if not impossible.”
“Intentional communities only want fit and healthy people, which excludes most people with CI/D.”
“Financial cost of having my needs met is too high to be able to attend events.”
“I’m unable to attend a whole event, but partial options [are] not always available.”
“I can only attend an event if I have a Carer with me – this makes things really expensive.”
“I feel many, if not all, permaculture events ignore groups of people who are differently abled.”
“I became chronically unwell while working at a permaculture site (from a tick bite) but have received virtually no support or help from that project since becoming unwell. I know other people who have also become unwell from being on permaculture sites.”
“Not able to socialise in busy spaces, often misunderstood as disinterest at events and courses.”
“It’s difficult to book or commit to anything in advance, in case I can’t go – there’s not always an option to attend at the last minute.”
“I would be able to go to half/one day of an event but this isn’t always possible, and the timetable of activities doesn’t always design well for this.”
“Many people with chronic illness and disability are financially very poor and this is currently deteriorating with ‘hostile environment’ politics. Many cannot afford to attend permaculture events.”

The attitudes of other people

Many people have health conditions where their symptoms are variable. Some found that the lack of understanding about this meant that they felt uncomfortable and judged if they couldn’t join in with an activity when the previous day they had been able to. Some examples given were:

“Some days I am relatively well, other days I am pretty much bedbound.”
“My fluctuating symptoms and need for rest were not understood by the course facilitator or others attending the course.”
“I often feel vulnerable or a nuisance for asking for help.”
“The attitude of others can be a major obstacle.”
“There is little to no support or real understanding for people with chronic health conditions in the permaculture community.”
“We live in a selfish individualist and ableist society and I have found that to also be true with much of the permaculture community and environmentalist movements in general.”
“I wanted to focus on disability and permaculture for my Diploma (In Applied Permaculture Design) but was unable to find a tutor to support me doing this, so gave up.”
“I feel like people like myself are going to be forever excluded because our society, including the permaculture community, only seem to value people who can undertake physical labour and put in lots of hours.”
“I tried to write articles (about tick bite disease risks) for different permaculture resources but was turned down. The permaculture community plays down the risks.”

Physical space

“At many events, toilets are really difficult for me to access on a good day and would have been impossible on a bad day.”
“No truly accessible toilets.”
“Most permaculture events I have been to have been difficult for me to access due to uneven ground.”
“Many demonstration sites are on uneven ground and some distance from car parking, meaning they are very difficult to access for people with CIAD who can walk, and impossible for people with CIAD who use a wheelchair to mobilise or need to sit down to rest frequently.”
“I couldn’t safely access the loos or the showers.”
“The actual event was a long way from the nearest accessible parking.”
“Seating is often an issue – not being able to lean against a wall or sit on the ground, for example.”
“Often permaculture events are held on sites with very uneven surfaces and distance from parking. Can be difficult for even the most mild forms of mobility issues.”
“Disability loos are often just for people who need to use wheelchairs – many of us with mobility/access issues don’t need to use a wheelchair.”
“Sleeping arrangements at residential events – camping, bunk beds, dorms – are often obstacles.”
“Stairs without railings.”
“Location of toilet (upstairs).”
“There would need to be a wheelchair access path to all areas and I would need a private room for me to be able to attend.”

Event activities

“The activities at the event required participants to have a good level of strength and prolonged energy. I couldn’t join in with them.”
“I couldn’t attend one weekend of the course as it involved camping, which I can’t do.”
“The pace and general busy atmosphere at many permaculture events can mean that I don’t always give my chronic illness the attention it needs. This can result in adverse effects to my health.”
“Long teaching sessions mean I can’t focus well enough.”
“Similar styles of learning/lots of information for each session [are] difficult/overwhelming.”

4) What changes could be made in order for you, or other people with chronic illness and/or disability, to be able to further access permaculture knowledge and/or demonstration sites and/or events?

General themes

One very common theme emerging from the reflections people shared with me is that permaculture should be about designing systems that showcase inclusivity.

“New design in making the next generation of permaculture demonstration sites and events more accessible.”
“Work on improving current sites and events.”
“Explore funding options for improving access.”
“The Facebook Group Permaculture, Chronic Illness, Neurodiversity and Disability” as a ‘hub’ for designing.”
“Flagship designs for accessibility of events, knowledge and courses.”
“Developing an ‘inclusion worker’ post at the Permaculture Association.”
“Build in greater awareness about CI/D into permaculture design courses (PDCs).”
“I’m creating designs to increase accessibility within permaculture projects. My local permaculture community has been really supportive with feedback about my designs.”
“More realistic assessments and education of the health risks (tick-borne illness and other diseases associated with soil and being outdoors) at permaculture sites, events and in educational materials.”
“More understanding in general about chronic illness and disability in the permaculture community.”
“Practical help with lifts to events, home and garden adaptions and other ways of implementing permaculture design.”
“If something doesn’t exist, create your own design/project!”
“Individualised support according to needs.”
“Being able to arrive early and leave late at events – to manage energy levels.”
“Free events places for carers.”
“We are building a permaculture demonstration site and are very much focused on accessible design as I am disabled.”
“A culture of a safe, relaxed space.”
“Low cost and sliding scale prices.”
“We all have different diverse needs, any designs to improve inclusion of people with CIAD needs to take into account our different needs.”
“Providing somewhere quiet for people with chronic illnesses to rest.”
“Can people with chronic illnesses/disability volunteer for smaller amounts of time?”
“Can they attend only a small part of a larger event., i.e. say a 2-day or 5-day series of workshops or conference?”
“Can people pay less … and only attend part of the programme?”
“Noise levels – noise can be exhausting to deal with … so these might need to be managed … and have a quiet room so people can take breaks.”
“The starting point of any event, course etc, should be inclusion. If you aren’t including the needs of people with chronic illness and disabilities (and the same with race and gender, etc), then you are actively excluding them – it’s a choice.”
“More options/ways of doing PDC over as much time as needed – modular – this is happening with at least one permaculture teacher.”
“Having a ‘buddy’ system” (events and geographically locally).”
“Would like to see events being run by disabled and poorly people.”
“It’s really important that the intersection between differing abilities and indigenous people is also respected, as much permaculture knowledge is based on indigenous people’s cultures and this needs to be central in our design work.”

Attitudes

“Build in greater awareness about CI/D into permaculture design courses (PDCs).”
“I make sure that the course facilitator knows about my different needs – and have never had any problem.”
“A greater understanding that mobility assistance isn’t just about creating ramps etc.”
“Having ‘hidden disability’ badges (similar to airport systems).”
“Events and courses can be organised to allow time and space for everyone, as well as a culture vocalised that its fine for anyone to take a comfort break at any time – whether that’s to lie down, be quiet, get some water, take medications or otherwise.”

Physical space

“Having regular places and opportunities to sit down.”
“Quiet spaces to rest – opportunities to lie down as well as sitting.”
“Quiet spaces at meal times.”
“Toilet hoist equipment for folk unable to stand at all would mean opportunities for longer involvement at an event or courses.”
“RADAR key – for accessible loo.”
“Prior information about access issues at venues would give reassurance and greater opportunity to participate.”
“Greater understanding of the need for cleanliness (re compromised immune systems) and for folk who need to keep aids/medical equipment clean.”
“Accessible sites are so much easier to maintain.”
“There are examples of LAND centres that are accessible, but not many people visit. Could they be advertised more?”

Activities

“Flexible time scheduling.”
“Diverse learning opportunities and teaching styles.”
“Short sessions with repetition.”
“Frequent short breaks.”
“Handouts in digital and paper format – including a new vocabulary and acronyms list.”
“Using common sense language.”
“Activities with varying choices of levels of intensity, and prior knowledge about these.”

Designing solutions

Although every person with CI/D is an individual with unique experiences and needs, there are some common symptoms, issues and requirements for many folk. The following easily accessible resources are some favourites of mine, and can help you to understand more about these.

The Mighty – online community of support and awareness raising about disability, disease and mental health.

Stickman Communications – communicating about disability with style and humour

Chronic Illness Inclusion Project

Permaculture, Chronic Illness, Neurodiversity and Disability Facebook group

Wheelchair Accessible Tree Bogs at Whistlewood Common - Photos by Anne Bramley (note - suitable uprights are still to be added to the handrails of the ramp)

Suggestions to improve access to permaculture knowledge, events and demonstration sites in general in the permaculture community/movement

(These suggestions are also available as a PDF here )

Consideration of a staff member with an ‘inclusivity’ role in the Permaculture Association.
A commitment to designing for improved access for people with CI/D in permaculture in general.
Creation of a directory of (and promotion of) events/courses/demonstration sites that aim to meet the needs of many people with CI/D.
Encouragement for further articles, learning materials and designs relating to accessing permaculture for people with CI/D.
Information about access and support issues for people with CI/D built into the PDC as standard.
Creation of a culture of accessibility in new and existing intentional communities.
A PDC and other permaculture events and demonstration sites specifically designed for and focused on the needs of people with CI/D (as flagship/gold standard examples).
Permaculture, Chronic Illness, Neurodiversity and Diversity Facebook group as a “hub” for discussion, ways forward and new designs.
Acknowledgement and action (in terms of information provision and awareness-raising) in relation to risks of health problems 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.

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

(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.
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.

This article and its suggestions have been designed to act as a starting point for further discussions and design work around access to permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability. Over the next few weeks, I will also be recording a spoken-voice version of the article content for my planned YouTube channel. I openly welcome feedback and /or suggestions for further blog posts/articles. Feel free to contact me by email or via my social media platforms.

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My 2019 Focus Word - Activist

11/1/2019

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Image by me!

One of the life tools I like to create at the start of a calendar year is choosing a focus word for that year. I create some art or craft work at the end of December or start of January, which goes on to become my daily reminder about my focus word and the energy behind it. It's a tool that has worked really well for me for several years now, no matter what is going on in my life at the time. My focus word for 2018 was "Creativity" - and when I chose this word in the January, I had no idea that the daily doodling I did, and shared on social media to help my emotional and cognitive wellbeing, would evolve into requests for Illustration work for prints, books and online courses by the start of 2019! While I'm sure this didn't just happen because of my chosen word, it certainly helped me to regularly connect with the intention behind it. So this year I have chosen "Activist", Activism is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as, "the use of direct and noticeable action to achieve a result, usually a political or social one." Throughout my life I have nearly always been involved in various types of activism about issues close to my heart and spirit. Over the past decade this has very much been connected to my development as a permaculture practitioner and educator. I'm hoping that choosing this word as my focus in the coming months, will enable me to design my new form of activism, as part of my plan to continue to thrive while being unwell with Lyme Disease.

Image by Make Daisy Chains - link in text below

Over the last year I have been following the work of illustrator and online Mental Health Activist, Make Daisy Chains and also the Craftivism movement, especially the work of the Craftivism Collective Both of these are part of my inspiration for these first weeks of the year as I begin to design the early part of the journey, my focus word for 2019 will take. Im hoping to use the Wheel of the Year, Earth based festivals for times of reflection about my current permaculture projects, and how these are influenced by my new focus word. I plan to document the main topics of that reflective process, within future blog posts here.

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Seed Journal

23/11/2018

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Using Permaculture To Create A New Planner & Reflection Tool

As part of my portfolio of designs for my Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, one of my favourite design created was a Reflection and Planner Journal , (This link isnt accesible on a mobile phone). This tool totally changed the way that I achieved the goals and intentions I set in my life and work. I have used versions of this design ever since. I also know that several friends have also used their own versions of the tool as well, with really positive feedback.

One thing I found when I first became very unwell and unable to work, last year, was that my Reflection and Planner Journal no longer felt as useful. The large spaces to fill on the pages, plus some of the content, was a constant reminder about how much my life had adversely changed through my illness. In addition the A4 size paper was becoming more and more difficult to physically manage to use as my movement, even when resting in bed, was very limited.

So I set about on a redesign! - I wanted one easily accessible place where I could record plans, ideas, reflections and resources ,using a variety of creative ways of documenting.

A friend had introduced me to the concept of Bullet Journaling several months before and I’d been considering it as something that I could well adapt to suite my own needs. Many commercially produced 'Dot Journals' typically used in bullet journaling, are A5 size, which means much easier accessibility in relation to my health needs.

The Design Web

The Design Web from People and Permaculture by Looby Macnamara

I’m a keen fan of Looby Macnamara’s 'Design Web'- the Design Process at the core of her book People and Permaculture, for anything related to using permaculture design as a way of improving our own lives. So it was an obvious choice for me to use the Design Web to guide the design of my new Planner & Reflection Tool.

#KtShepherdDoodles

First of all, I decided to name my new Planner and Reflection Tool a 'Seed Journal' – a space to vision and record ideas, observations and reflections, many of which could become actual projects and designs, if, or when the conditions were optimal for them to germinate and grow. I purchased an A5 Dot Journal to try for the first time. (There are many different brands of these journals available. Purchasing one from a stationary shop local to you if at all possible, rather than from big multinationals, will obviously keep more money in your local community. )

Here is a summary of how I have used, (and sometimes creatively adapted), various Anchor Points from the Design Web as a core part of my Seed Journal Tool.

Seed Journal Overview

Ideas & Actions

Collaging images from The Earth Pathways Diary

Project Pages - Examples of these in my Seed Journal are :- Design pages, (a space to document information relating to a specific design); Blog post ideas; Lunar & Solar Cycles; Social media planning; Learning notes about a particular topic; Budgeting; Log of useful resources; Mindmap of project ideas for next year.

Pause

This Anchor Point for me is a reminder about how important creativity is in my life. And each week I try and engage in some artwork that is just for the sole purpose of taking a break, often I will listen to some relaxing meditation music at the same time, and then I glue the creative piece into my Seed Journal.

Each Month

Patterns

I use this Anchor Point to focus on recording daily activities that are important to me, and symptoms of my illness. It’s a really useful way to look at the patterns and connections between them, then making changes for the next month as suggestions and solutions emerge.

Vision

I find spending time on indepth visioning for the month ahead, a creative and inspiring way to design beyond the edges of my comfort zone, as well as considering aspects of my life and work that may of had very little attention recently. I use a mix of Mother Peace Tarot Cards, various decks of Oracle cards, Gaia Craft Permaculture Principle Cards and Group Works Cards.

Goals &/or Intentions

Early stages of goal & intention setting for October of this year

Actually not an Anchor Point in the Design Web, but nearly always part of a permaculture design. I like to use the SMART acronym for goal setting . This link is a great one for expanding on the typical: - Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Measurable; Time bound. The monthly overview in this image above is collaged from the wonderful Earth Pathways Diary

Ideas & Actions

I have a page each month where I can literally write down ideas as they come into my head. Then at the start of each week I consider how they might fit into the days ahead, or possible connections with project pages in my Seed Journal

Reflection

At the end of each month I spend dedicated time on reflecting how the month has gone, and link to my goals and patterns for the month. I like using Roses, Buds and Thorns reflection tool here, but it's also a great opportunity to try out some of the others too, for example PMI (Pluses Minuses, Interesting) or SWOC (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Constraints).

Weekly & Daily Journal

The Layout

The small spaces in this layout work really well for me. Enough room to document, without too much space to feel overwhelmed about filling it! It takes me about 10 minutes to draw this out each week. It can be a good opportunity for thinking about intentions for the week ahead.

Themes

Not officially part of the Design Web, but an additional section I use to capture the general overview of the week, for example, significant moon phases, festivals, celebrations or other important times.

Permaculture Principles

As part of my ongoing learning and growing as a permaculture practitioner I like to focus on a particular Permaculture Principle each week, and spend time throughout the week reflecting on how this principle can be used in the different areas of my own life, community (online and face to face), and globally. It can be a useful focus for me when I am not well enough to engage in much physical activity, (I have called this my ‘structured daydreaming’ tool, a redefinition of 'not feeling well enough to do anything'). Sometimes I journal about my thoughts relating to principles, especially if it seems like it would be a good reflection to ‘capture’ for future projects. And on other occasions, I choose a permaculture principle I know is going to be a useful one for specific plans for the week. At other times I use the wonderful Gaia Craft Permaculture Principle Cards to inspire me.

Momentum/Motivation

I use this space to document a particular quote, poem, song lyrics or anything else that resonates with me at this time. Reminding myself about it each day really helps to ingrain its meaning and connection for me in my life.

Ideas & Actions

I use these Anchor Points together. This space is for ideas for action throughout the day, plus a log of other actions that occurred without plan, throughout the day.

Integrate

People I want/need to connect with during that day. And then at the end of the day, additional people who I connected with.

Vision

Whispers of Healing Oracle Cards by Angela Hartfield & Josephine Wall

I really like using tarot and oracle cards as part of my daily routine, to inspire and perhaps encourage thinking and reflecting outside of my comfort zone. I briefly record these reflections here.

Reflect

I use the Roses Thorns and Buds reflection tool to do a mini-reflection for each day.

Projects

Not an Anchor Point in the Design Web – but I find it useful to have a separate section to be clear about which permaculture projects I am focusing on each day/week.

Appreciation

Space for daily gratitude.

Some Thoughts To End With

So, this was a brief exploration through, how my new Seed Journal Tool, guided by the a people focused permaculture design process, the Design Web, works incredibly well for me. Implementing this design has been a really useful reminder of how ecological principles and the Permaculture Ethics of People Care, Fairshares and Earth Care, can be used in healing, resilience building and regeneration of ourselves. I've been using my Seed Journal, including, overtime, several useful changes, for 9 months now. Its emerged into a really positive core aspect of how I am adapting my life to several major life events, in particular the onset of chronic illness, over the last two years. Rather than a prescriptive ‘how to’, this blog is very much about sharing ideas that may inspire you, and could well be adapted for your own life.

In case you missed the link earlier on in this post, you can buy People and Permaculture by Looby Macnamara, featuring masses more information about using the Design Web for people focused Permaculture Design, from the Permaculture Market.

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Bringing Nature Inside

31/10/2018

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Some ideas for improving access to nature connection if you or someone you are close to has an illness or disability, meaning they find it difficult to be outdoors.

Studies over the last few years have consistently demonstrated that being in nature is beneficial for both our physical and emotional health. From my own observations, I would also add that for many people connecting with the other living parts of Earth also brings increased levels of wellbeing to both the spiritual and social aspects of our lives too.

In my work as a palliative care nurse and as an unpaid Carer of several family members I have witnessed many instances where being able to be creative about how to connect with nature can positively influence the quality of life for people who are too unwell or disabled spend time outside on a regular basis. Over the past year I have become very unwell and currently spend most of my time in bed. This has given me a great opportunity to reflect further about how poorly and disabled people who for whatever reasons find being outside challenging, can benefit from nature connection.

These are some of the ideas I have collated. Most of which I use in my own life too.

Having beautifully fragranced flowers or pots of herbs inside in a space you spend a lot of your time. Or perhaps using essential oils in a diffuser, bath, or on a tissue. Essential oils can also help as part of a well- being plan, and some should be used with caution as they can have adverse side effects for you and people/pets around you if their use is not understood well. I can recommend permaculture practitioner and qualified aromatherapist, Dave Jackson for guidance and advice. He’s based in Cambridge England, and really happy to provide video consultations for folk who aren’t local to him. Dave’s details are in the resources section below.

Asking a visiting, (in real life, or digital), friend or family member to tell you about their experiences of spending time in nature. I’ve found that this can also be a great distraction from chat focus always being about my illness too.

Listening to a guided mediation involving sounds of nature :- the noise of the sea, river waterfalls, bird song, gentle breeze through long grasses and rain.

Watching films and TV programmes about nature. Listening to radio programmes and podcasts about the great outdoors

Observing patterns in nature through a window. Watching the earth cycles, seasons and changing skies.

Being creative about nature inspiration. Art, doodling, writing, textile crafts, singing, playing a musical instrument, making a collage, wildlife themed colouring books. I have also found that giving myself thinking and daydreaming time about walks, daytrips, holidays, sunny days, deep snow, summer rain, storms and gardens for example has been a wonderful thing to do when more practical activities are too exhausting or painful.

Having houseplants in a space in the home where you spend a lot of time, which as well as lovely to see, also help to clean the air inside from potential toxins.

With help if needed, creating a nature space/table/shelf in a place where you can see it often. Ideas of things to include could be a vase of local flowers, photos, small twigs/branches in a vase, stones, shells, herbs to dry. I have such a space and love to adapt it as the seasons change.

If you are someone who has experience and knowledge about gardening, farming or other nature related activities and knowledge, could you mentor or teach others who would like to learn? Again, this could be face to face, or via digital (or written) communication: - Creating a blog, social media space or writing an article for a local paper, newsletter, or specialist publication.

Sprouting seeds and pulses and/or growing herbs on a kitchen windowsill. Really easy to do by yourself, or by someone who helps you. Resulting in fresh, nutritious home grown food throughout the year.

Reading books, magazines and blogs about nature. Looking at nature focused photos and art. Connecting with nature focused social media spaces. Perhaps finding (or creating) spaces on social media where there are others who are also enjoying and appreciating nature from indoors.

Eating seasonal food and drinks and/or sourcing your food from local growers, farmers and preservers.

Being aware of any sadness, grief or loss you feel about not being able to connect with nature outdoors. Even just reading this short article may generate difficult emotions. And that’s ok. I’ve found that talking it through with someone close to you or writing, drawing or any other creative expression can really help, as do other ideas mentioned here.

As well as hopefully providing some useful ideas relating to nature connection and immersion, an additional function of this article is to inspire further discussion about the urgent need for permaculture practitioners to address issues of privilege in accessing permaculture.

Resources

There are a huge diverse number of resources relating to the ideas I have written about in this article. If you need some extra inspiration or a starting point. Here are some of my current favourites.

Dave Jackson Aromatherapist

Writing by Flo Scott – Flo has written a number of articles in Permaculture Magazine and also has her own blog at http://permaculturedesigner.co.uk – In particular check out Flo’s most recent post “Top 5 things to do in an Indoor Garden”

BBC Radio programmes – all of the following are available as podcasts (or on iplayer for those in the UK)

Gardeners Question Time
Open Country
Tweet Of the Week
Ramblings

Alice Fowler’s regular column in The Guardian newspaper
Plus books and YouTube films by Alys

Permaculture Magazine – available via paper or digital subscription plus lots of free content

Lots of fantastic books at Permaculture Market

One of my current favourite books from Green Shopping, including many, many gorgeous photos, is No Dig Organic Home and Garden by Charles Dowding and Stephanie Hafferty

‘She Explores’ podcast

Facebook Group - I have recently created a Facebook Group ”Permaculture, Chronic illness and Disability” for anyone with an interest in the topic to join. There is already a very friendly and solutions focused culture emerging there, so please come along and join in if you are interested.

This post is also available on the Permaculture Women Magazine at Medium.com and will be published in Permaculture Magazine in Autumn 2018

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Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability

- positives, challenges and suggestions for a more inclusive permaculture

My 2019 Focus Word - Activist

Seed Journal

Using Permaculture To Create A New Planner & Reflection Tool

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Accessing Permaculture for people with chronic illness and/or disability

- positives, challenges and suggestions for a more inclusive permaculture

My 2019 Focus Word - Activist

Seed Journal

Using Permaculture To Create A New Planner & Reflection Tool

The Design Web

Seed Journal Overview

​Ideas & Actions

Pause

Each Month

Patterns

Vision

Goals &/or Intentions

Ideas & Actions

Reflection

Weekly & Daily Journal

The Layout

Themes

Permaculture Principles

Momentum/Motivation

Ideas & Actions

Integrate

Vision

Reflect

Projects

Appreciation

Some Thoughts To End With

Bringing Nature Inside

Blog

Subscribe to my newsletter

Archives

Categories

Ideas & Actions