Hellowave26th_July_08._009.jpg

11 Mar, 2009
33 likes

July: This is me. (Self-portrait with camera on timer). I created and tend my patio garden almost entirely by electric wheelchair (my 'workhorse'). I suffer from severe/acute M.E., and am completely housebound and live alone. Consequently my garden is my 'whole world', and in fact it is my 'only world'.
Some days, like when I am in a 'relapse' period, I am so disabled that I can do little more than to move a single leaf or a twig from A to B in the course of a whole day, for weeks or even months on end. This can be very frustrating for me. But in 'remission' periods I am able to do occasional small physical tasks, really very incrementally, thus enabling me to get the work done. My garden is maintained with the greatest of physical struggle, and it is a wonder that it exists as it does at all. It is more than anything what gives my life a purpose and also a will to live. I live both for it, and by it. It literally does wonders for me. It motivates me, keeps my mind active and ever-thinking, and blesses me without end.
(I love roses more than anything. I love photographing my flowers too, which makes another nice hobby for me, and I like to use my photographic skills to show my garden to people).
I hope you enjoy these pictures.

Comments on this photo

Sewingkilla

wow that border is beautiful, my neighbour has M.E. he's had it for 11 years very debilitating isn't it, you do well with the gardening.

11 Mar, 2009

Donnah

H i Johnathan it looks great You do very well Gardening can be hard work but doing it from a wheel chair must be very hard work you are an insperation to us all

11 Mar, 2009

Michaella

Hi Jonathanhales your garden is absolutely beautiful.

11 Mar, 2009

Milky

Hello Johnathan, Welcome to GoY....You are a real marvel, your garden is beautiful....You should be very proud of yourself........A true inspiration......

11 Mar, 2009

Elke

Hi JonathanHale - what a spectacular amount of colour and variety you have been able to create! Wonderful. Thanks for that extra ray of sunshine too (your smile)!

11 Mar, 2009

Irish

Jonathon welcome to GOY. your garden looks beautiful

11 Mar, 2009

Joyoustub

Hello there... nice to meet you. Your garden is stunningly beautiful. Well done to you. I am more than a little bit jealous.

12 Mar, 2009

Gilli

Johnathan, your garden is a tribute to your courage. It is all the more spectacular considering you have done it all with such a debilitating condition. Well done indeed.
Roses are my favourite too. I have about 50 varieties at the moment from miniatures to climbers, rugosas to hybrid teas. What is the yellow rose to your right? It is lovely.

12 Mar, 2009

Jacque

Big Wave Back@U :D & this answers My Question Johnathan on who mantains your Beautiful Garden :)

12 Mar, 2009

Bernieh

Great reward for a lot of hard work - it's a beautiful garden.

12 Mar, 2009

Blodyn

Hi Jonathan - nice to meat you.

12 Mar, 2009

Scottie

Hi Jonathan, your patio garden looks great you really must be proud of your achievement, bet you enjoy sitting out there with a beer wondering what you can move or what else you could do to do to improve things! not much I say! it's great ,keep up the good work and enjoy your garden, great stuff.

13 Mar, 2009

Terratoonie

Hello Jonathan ~
You have a stunning garden :o)

14 Mar, 2009

Autumn

Jonathan, your garden is fabulous !! lovely mix of colours. Do you start the plants from seeds or do you visit the nurseries to buy them ?

19 Mar, 2009

Youngdaisydee

Hi Jonathon, Welcome to GOY. Your garden is Fab and a credit to you, Its Amazing how gardening ends up much more than a hobby isn't it :)))) ..... Dee...

28 Mar, 2009

Sanbaz

what can i say ,,,speachless....love it all :) sandra

1 Apr, 2009

Greenthumb

Amazing Jonathan. Such a beautiful garden. And inspiring life. Thank you for sharing your garden with us. And please continue. :-)

10 Apr, 2009

Sunblest

Hello Jonathan, Your garden is a real inspiration, well done. Look forward to seeing more of your garden in the months to come.

11 Apr, 2009

Janey

Hello Jonathan....wow what an achievement this garden of yours is, stunningly beautiful and an amazing feat with such a physically debilitating condition. I love it and am looking forward to seeing more of your pics................:o)

14 Apr, 2009

Chrispook

This is amazing. You've got so much in there it looks huge. Greetings from Hungary.

15 Apr, 2009

Terry60

Your garden is just so wonderful and a real credit to your hard work. This photo reminds me of my dad's garden, who used to live on his own after mum died. He had MS and was wheelchair bound and used to amaze everyone with what he was able to grow. He had the garden divided up into 3 with cement strips so that he could go up and down and work from his chair. He'd be so chuffed going round to all his friends, giving away bags full of runner beans, carrots, greens galore...... He even came over to Italy with some of his runner beans and a bunch of daffodils he'd picked for me that morning before leaving !!

Keep up the good work Jonathan

15 Apr, 2009

Morgana

You ve have created a little paradise, you have a birill garden hope you keep it up, have you a favourite plant mine is a passsion flower I bought 1 yesterday and another today, do you get much wild life there, I sit in my garden and watch the wild life and study it too. At times I laugh at what I see like a bumble bee got stuck inside one of my poppies and could nt get out, so I had to release it by opening the poppy and watching the birds, how they are not much different to humans.Keep the good work up.as colours give energy..

10 Jun, 2009

Gardengnome

Hello Jonathan,
It is a joy and an inspiration to meet you and read your story and of course to peruse your garden. I also like your poetry. Keep up the good work!! I'm looking forward to more!more! more!

18 Sep, 2009