U of A helping Blackfalds woman continue her love for gardening
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Posted 1 month ago
Jasmine Franklin
Globe Staff
One Blackfalds woman is in the process of receiving a wonderful gift from the University of Alberta — a wheelchair that will allow her to garden again all at the price of the faculty.
For the past 38 years, Edith Schaeffer, 67, of Blackfalds, has been tendering and growing the Spruce Lane Community Garden. Volunteers at the garden call her boss and crowd around to hear their daily assignment.
But three years ago, when both of her legs were amputated, a barrier was created between her and her garden that didn't last long.
"I'm going to garden whether I have legs or not," said Schaeffer smiling. "I need to be here and (the volunteers) need to eat."
For six months after her surgery, Schaeffer decided she needed to find a way back to her gardening routine and so, she designed a wheelchair with all the attributes she needs including a seat that moves up and down, and a solar-powered or battery-operated machine so fumes don't get near her plants.
"I came up with what I needed to work with," she said. "It will be really exciting."
Schaeffer got in contact with a professor at the university who assigned four students to the task. The students came out to the garden three times to study Schaeffer and her mobility.
"They were all really enthused," she said.
The wheelchair was initially expected to be ready for this September, however, because it's being built strictly off volunteer time, Schaeffer isn't sure when she will receive her chair, but she said she's in no rush.
"When watching a garden grow it teaches you to be patient," she said. "I'm in no rush."
For now, Schaeffer sits on the sidelines filling the position of mother hen and guiding her 25-30 volunteers who come out once per week.
The garden is about three acres and volunteers work together for months to harvest their garden. For almost three hours each week, they work hard at their project and at the end of every session, they take home their hard-earned produce.
The garden begins in spring where the group sets up pegs and plants their crops. Next, they weed and tend to their garden every week.
"Gardening is a very healthy activity and you're so close to nature," she said. "It's a process of learning and — well, I like food."
With her strong desire and love for gardening, Schaeffer is determined to get back into the garden, until then, she still holds the steady hand and propels the garden's fine operations.
There will be an open house at the Spruce Lane Community Garden Aug. 11 from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to take part in the project or observe the garden.
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