Wounded Warriors, Occupational Therapy Patients Get New Solar Shed for Therapy Garden

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- An aspiring Eagle Scout presented the keys to a new solar shed to Rear Adm. Elaine C. Wagner, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) commander, during a ceremony here, near the Fisher House, Oct. 2.

Cole Roberts, the son of current and former staff members, built the shed for Wounded Warriors and Occupational Therapy patients who use the NMCP therapy garden.

The Occupational Therapy Clinic started the therapy garden for patients two years ago. Since then, the number and size of plants have increased as well as the number of patients and Fisher House residents who use and enjoy it. The solar shed will give them added benefits to the garden.

From planning to building, the project took a year-and-a-half. The building phase was completed in about 20 hours over three recent weekends. Cole was helped by about 20 family members, friends, and other teens from his Boy Scout troop and junior ROTC unit.

During the ceremony, Cole gave Wagner a tour of the new shed, describing how he built it and discussing its features.

"It's more like a greenhouse," Cole said. "There are windows so the plants can grow. There will be garden beds on one side so they will be in constant sunlight. We had to orient it 10 degrees to the south for constant sun exposure. The windows are stationary, and there are four vents around the roof so the plants don't rot."

"I'm really into planting and gardening," Wagner said to Cole. "If I were here with my loved ones, this would really be great for me."

"That's why I wanted to do it," Cole said. "There are even raised garden beds for those who are in a wheelchair who can't bend down."

Wagner then addressed the group assembled for the presentation, which included occupational therapy staff and some of those who helped Cole build the shed, including his mother, Lisa, and younger brother, Kyle. Wagner spoke about how important the new addition will be for patients and also for the families of wounded warriors who stay at the Fisher House.

"This really resonates with me 'cause I love gardening. I love growing things," Wagner said. "So for him to have this idea, to use this as kind of a mental-health break, not just for the wounded warriors - which it's nice because they are going to use it - but also for their families. Being here as a patient or as a family member can be stressful. There are people who will really, really enjoy getting their hands in the dirt, planting things, having flowers that grow, having vegetables that grow. I just really appreciate his caring heart and his appreciation for trying to help the mental health of both our patients and their families."

Those benefiting include patients with anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. Some patients have upper extremity injuries and they work in the garden to improve strength and function.

Cole, who is 17, got the idea to help wounded warriors while watching television.

"I heard about a wounded warrior program, and it really went to heart for me," Cole said. "I contacted Mr. Chuck Olson because he's in charge of occupational therapy. We came up with the idea together to make a greenhouse so the wounded warriors could garden all year and have a place for them to keep their seedlings and all their materials."

Olson agreed, saying, "Starting in February, we can start the seedlings, water them, the sun will come in, and it will stay nice and warm, so it will allow us to prolong our gardening season."

Olson said tools will be hung on the walls so they can be found easily and to make the layout ergonomically friendly.

Cole chose NMCP for the project because of his parents' connection to the medical center. Lisa Roberts works in the Pulmonary Clinic and Capt. Peter Roberts is the former director for Surgical Services; he is currently deployed to Afghanistan serving as the deputy commander of Task Force Medical South and the executive officer of the NATO Role 3 hospital in Kandahar.

The shed - a kit from Lowe's- was purchased by the Occupational Therapy Clinic. Cole obtained the roofing, windows and sealing materials from Lowe's as well, but through their Eagle Scout program. He explained how the project fit into the Eagle Scout process.

"The highest rank in Boy Scouts is eagle, and in addition to all of the previous ranks, campouts, and community service, a project is required that benefits your community in a positive way," said Cole, who is a member of Troop 1 of Norfolk. "My scoutmaster approved the idea. It took two months to get the (written) plan approved, and then the financial and building design was approved, and then I created a final plan for getting all of the materials. Then, we could finally erect the shed."

With the shed now finished, he has one more merit badge to complete before he will be eligible for Eagle Scout, which should be by the end of October.

"The most rewarding part of the project was the feeling that it is going to help people, help the wounded warriors that I care about - it means a lot to me," Cole said. "By doing this, it is great knowing you're helping somebody else, you're part of a bigger picture, and somebody else is going to be affected by what you've done."

In a message from Afghanistan, Peter Roberts said, "I am sad to miss this event, but very proud of Cole and my wife, Lisa, to get a project like this done while I was away."

"You have no idea how proud I am of (Cole)," Lisa Roberts said. "He started in first grade as a Tiger Cub (Scout), so this is a 12-year process and to see him follow it though; it's probably going to be one of the greatest accomplishments of his life."

Cole continues to have patriotic aspirations: He plans to go to medical school to become a Navy doctor and has recently submitted his ROTC scholarship application.

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For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.