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March 2023 The Spruce Initiative and the Disabled
March 2023 The Spruce Initiative and the Disabled
Mar 14, 2023
Whatever your disability you are free to align yourself with the principles of the Spruce Initiative and you are always welcome to join our team should that be the case. Depending on the extent of your disability you may need assistance or supervision to engage in the practice.
Sound judgement is needed to distinguish between rubbish that can be cleared safely and that which requires professional clearing. For some people coping with a disability this may be significant. You can still engage in an annual tree planting and practise with supervision and assistance as is appropriate for your personal situation.
For those with a physical disability you may not be able to physically pick up rubbish yourself. In some cases an extended rod with a picker on the end may help solve this problem. These are readily available at pharmacies and are frequently used by the elderly to pick up items that they have dropped. This simple solution may be sufficient to remove perceived barriers to full participation in our practice.
For those with a more severe disability you may need to engage the assistance of a carer to engage in the practice. You can have your carer pick up one piece a day of rubbish for you and dispose of it appropriately and plant one tree a year at your request. In some cases you may be able to indicate the piece of rubbish to be picked up and which tree or type of tree to plant.
We advocate personal choice in the decision to join our team. Should carers or guardians wish to take responsibility for their charges’ choice to join our team this must be clearly elucidated in their bios. Participants must be free at all times to join or withdraw from joining as the case may be.
In previous newsletters we have discussed how to practise with the Spruce Initiative if you are confined to indoors. If you are unable to go on a daily outing by way of your disability you can join in principle and practise in your indoor environment.
Good wishes for a clean and healthy environment are always welcome. At the Spruce Initiative we always put safety first. Please be aware of our safety guidelines. If your concentration is impaired it is wise to refrain from picking up rubbish as it requires your concentrated attention.
Refrain from picking up face masks or other hazardous waste with bare hands. Call professional cleaners. Remember to wear gloves or use hand sanitiser and always wash your hands as soon as practical after picking up rubbish. It is always a good idea to wash your hands before eating and when you come indoors.
Remember one piece a day sends the rubbish away. Don’t just clean; let’s Spruce!
Cheers, Felicity
Clean and green is our motto. Remember: one piece a day sends the rubbish away! Don’t just clean let’s Spruce.
