Garden inspired by incredible survival story open to patients
One Toowoomba man didn’t let a devastating accident ruin his life – instead he created an idea to help other people like him recover.
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Inspired by the incredible survival story of motorcycle crash survivor Zach Nightingale, the new Toowoomba North Rehabilitation Garden has finally opened after many months of construction.
The first of its kind for the Toowoomba North Rehabilitation Unit at Baillie Henderson, the new garden has been carefully planned to incorporate landscaped gardens, walking paths and aids that are tailored to assist patients with daily tasks and enhance physical and mental wellbeing.
Mr Nightingale stayed at the unit for a short time after a devastating motorbike accident in 2017.
It was his amazing recovery and survival story that led to the construction of the garden.
“The new garden is going to help with patients recovery times and help make them feel more at peace, I know it’s something that I would have really benefited from and I’m glad that now others can,” he said.
“Personally, it’s really great to see that something nice has spawned out of something really bad, so it’s nice to see the garden and the support of everyone who made it happen.”
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy said it was a special moment to open the garden, and invite all those involved to see the spectacle.
“This project has been a few years in the making, so we’re really excited to be able to walk through the garden, see patients and staff benefiting from doing treatment programs in a nice relaxing and therapeutic space,” she said.
“We’ve worked really closely with our contractors and the staff at the Rehab Unit to develop a garden that will offer broader quality of care for all patients of all ages during the different stages of their recovery.
“It’s been a real team effort, which wouldn’t have even happened if it wasn’t for Zach who truly spearheaded the concept of creating a more welcoming space for patients undergoing care at the Rehab Unit.”
The Toowoomba North Rehabilitation Purpose-built Outdoor Rehabilitation Garden was made
possible by the vision of Zach Nightingale, support from major donor Suncorp and contributions from sponsors of the 2019 Women of Strength Luncheon.
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