Charles Sourby, MS Ed. HTR

I am Registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) with multiple sclerosis. I began my career at YMCA Camp Sloane as Charlie Nature.Then, I worked at the Kitchawan Research Station of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Later, I established several vegetable gardens for group homes while working as a gardener on the Rockefeller Estate. I paired-up with community based therapeutic recreation (TR) programs: North East Westchester Special Recreation and Southeast Consortium; Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs): Green Chimneys and The Children's' Village; at Calvary Hospital's "state of the art TR program" & in several Nursing Homes. I brought the out-of-doors in.

My interest in Horticultural Therapy (HT) grew out of my work. I used horticultural skills, supplies and adaptive equipment. I practiced HT in groups, one-on-one, with volunteers, staff & students my whole career. I taught classes and coordinated the Horticultural Therapy Continuing Education program at the New York Botanical Garden. In part, I initiated raising its standards and helped get it accredited by the American Horticultural Therapy Association. (AHTA). My interest in Therapeutic Recreation grew out of a vigorous outdoor lifestyle: Hiking, Caving, Back Country Skiing, Paddling, Gardening, Nature Study, Camping, Outdoor Music Festivals and Traveling.

HT & TR reaches everybody including developmentally disabled children, teens and adults; physically disabled children and adults; behavioral health patients; incarcerated individuals; veterans; physical rehabilitation patients; cancer patients and myself. I believe in the healing power of people, plants, pets and lately, assistive technology. I battle severe Multiple Sclerosis every day. My goals for dealing with MS include developing MS self help groups, enjoying early retirement, writing books, taking accessible vacations, going on accessible camping trips and raising my daughter.