For clients of Powell River Brain Injury Society, a new greenhouse recently added to its vegetable garden area is cause for excitement. The addition enhances the society’s nutrition, cooking and gardening program.
“It is going to allow us to grow vegetables all winter, so we will be able to assist the clients with nutritional needs,” says Debbie Dee, the society’s executive director. “They are so excited, they can hardly wait to get in there.”
Now in its third season, the program provides education and instruction on growing, preparing and preserving food.
“We started the program because we thought it was important that clients get healthy, organic, fresh vegetables, because living on a disability pension, they don’t have a lot of money for extras,” explains Debbie.
Made possible through a grant from FortisBC, funds obtained will also be used to add a drip-water system to the garden.
“We needed a greenhouse and also wanted to eliminate a hose being dragged around; we’ve already had someone trip on it,” says Debbie. “The good folks at Mother Nature are going to instruct us on how to install it.”
During its first year, the outdoor garden was mostly used for demonstration; how to grow, plant, weed and harvest. It did not produce enough for preserving. That all changed in year two.
“Last year we had tomatoes and peppers in abundance, so we showed clients how to preserve,” says Debbie.
Clients are instructed on canning techniques and make organically grown, fresh sauces. The large harvest of peppers allowed the society to also create its own hot sauces.
“They were so popular here that people were saying you should sell it,” says Debbie.
As part of the next phase of the program, which involves selling products in a retail space, the society plans to send a test batch of hot sauce to University of BC.
“If they say this is a good recipe, we’re going to bottle it and sell it,” says Debbie.
As a result of the program, the society created the book Lettuce Share: Stories, Recipes, Odds and Sods.
“It has recipes, gardening and life tips, people’s stories and photos taken by one of our clients,” says Debbie. “Anyone interested in a copy can call 604.485.6065.”
Debbie learned about the Fortis grant a year ago from City of Powell River councillor Maggie Hathaway, which led to an application being submitted.
“Fortis put out a call through city councils across the province for projects to fund,” says Debbie. “Low and behold, we were one of three chosen.”
Not only did Fortis award the funding, they also provided volunteers to construct the greenhouse as part of its community-giving day, with company managers from around the province coming to help.
“They travel around the province doing good deeds and helping groups like ours,” says Debbie.
Volunteers from First Credit Union were also on hand to help out with the build.
“Our clients made a bunch of food and we broke bread before we got to work; it was a real nice community day,” says Debbie.
For new clients, the society requires a diagnosis of an acquired brain injury from a physician, but anyone who has self-identified a brain injury can come in for support to start the process, says Debbie. The society works with doctors, family members, caregivers and friends to determine the steps that follow.
Although brain injury awareness and prevention month ends next week, Debbie says people should “use their brain” all year, not just in June.
“Accidents are preventable,” she says. “Your brain won’t heal like a broken arm; brain injuries are forever.”
For more information, go to braininjurysociety.com.
