Page 23 - Landscape129

FEATURE

LANDSCAPING AND

HEALTH RESTORATION

Jo-Anne Hilliar of Landscape Design Consultants International recently underwent
invasive brain surgery to remove a cavernoma, a vascular malformation in the brain.

Faced with this life-threatening procedure, she had to confront survival and her career
aspirations, and in this article she shares her story to encourage people who may find
themselves in similar situations. Landscaping played a major role in her recovery.

edical / surgical changes
in one’s life and career
“Mcan be extremely difficult
to deal with, especially when you see
yourself as being invincible in terms
of your passion for your work. We are
so blessed to have the opportunity to
interact with clients and assist them
with their landscaping, together with
the assurance of excellent service,
installation and maintenance. Growing
plants is a therapy in itself.
Although I survived the initial seven-
hour procedure, a huge complication
set me back shortly after the operation,
which meant an emergency second
craniotomy on the same day. Four
days later with a ventilator in ICU, I
was delighted that my life had been
restored. This was seven months ago,
and although rehabilitation is still
underway, I now have reasonably full
use of my left leg, arm and hand to a
certain extent. The desire and passion
to continue to work in the profession
never left me, and I held onto the vision
of working again.
In this industry, we have the
opportunity to work with an amazing
palette of plants which assists us in the
transformation of space.
This article is to encourage those
in situations where the unexpected
happens, resulting in major life changes
– that second chance when you never
really know the outcome, but your
desire to fulfil your career aspirations
creates the mindset to get on with life.
For me, now, it is an absolute
privilege to be able to function
normally. Through positive spiritual
commitment, resilience, persistence
and patience, it can be done and I have
realised how important my professional
life has been in my recovery. I have
embarked on a new journey with a
different mindset, with a commitment
to recovery even though all the odds
were against me.
Landscaping has been so healing
and therapeutic, and I hope that this
is a great source of inspiration to Joanne Hilliar’s own garden was a source of joy and inspiration during her recovery from hemiplegia, a
everyone.” n paralysis of one side of the body.

Landscape SA • Issue 129 2023 21