"The Veterans Garden" (by Mathieu Grandjean)

[untitled]

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:54:04 +0000

The Veterans Garden sits on 15-acre inside the Veterans Administration Los Angeles Healthcare center. It was established in 1986 by Ida Cousino a horticultural therapist whose mental health career grew out of many years of experience for the United Farm Workersâ€™ Union. Until she starts the program with 3 veterans and few fruit trees, there used to be one Vietnam veteran with his dog gardening it, all by himself.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:29:14 +0000

The Veterans Garden sits on 15-acre inside the Veterans Administration Los Angeles Healthcare center. It was established in 1986 by Ida Cousino a horticultural therapist whose mental health career grew out of many years of experience for the United Farm Workersâ€™ Union. Until she starts the program with 3 veterans and few fruit trees, there used to be one Vietnam veteran with his dog gardening it, all by himself.
view full-size image

Bobby 75 years old, Korean War veteran, 9 years at the garden, is responsible of the organic vegetables garden

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:16:11 +0000

Bobby 75 years old, Korean War veteran, 9 years at the garden, is responsible of the organic vegetables garden
view full-size image

Bobby manages to solve his psychological problem by working at the garden. This horticulture program is dedicated to calm the fears, to push away the isolation and to maintain the hope to live.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:44:05 +0000

Bobby manages to solve his psychological problem by working at the garden. This horticulture program is dedicated to calm the fears, to push away the isolation and to maintain the hope to live.
view full-size image

Alton, Haywood, RW and James are on their way to work. The requirement to get into the garden is to be a U.S. veteran and 3 months clean and sober.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:17:19 +0000

Alton, Haywood, RW and James are on their way to work. The requirement to get into the garden is to be a U.S. veteran and 3 months clean and sober.
view full-size image

In the Garden, there is no spray of any chemicals as some veterans have been exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:18:02 +0000

In the Garden, there is no spray of any chemicals as some veterans have been exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
view full-size image

The Veterans garden is operated by veterans as self-sustaining business. This program is unique within the VA system. Most of the money comes from the sales of vegetables and plants, generous donations and grant as the garden does not rely on the Veterans Administration to run it financially.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:18:47 +0000

The Veterans garden is operated by veterans as self-sustaining business. This program is unique within the VA system. Most of the money comes from the sales of vegetables and plants, generous donations and grant as the garden does not rely on the Veterans Administration to run it financially.
view full-size image

Left to right: RW, 70 years old, Vietnam War veteran 1968-70 has been at the garden since 1993 and James, 73 years old, Korean War veteran, for the last 7 years. 8 years sober, RW was a drug addict and tried to commit suicide several times. Even if he is aware that his addiction comes from his experience in Vietnam, he is very proud of the strength of the military culture which allowed him to stay alive during his addiction. However, he admits that the garden saves his life.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:20:09 +0000

Left to right: RW, 70 years old, Vietnam War veteran 1968-70 has been at the garden since 1993 and James, 73 years old, Korean War veteran, for the last 7 years. 8 years sober, RW was a drug addict and tried to commit suicide several times. Even if he is aware that his addiction comes from his experience in Vietnam, he is very proud of the strength of the military culture which allowed him to stay alive during his addiction. However, he admits that the garden saves his life.
view full-size image

The veterans are doing everything that is necessary to take care of the plants: watering, feeding, pruning and weeding. Veterans take part of the sale of vegetables and plants to local restaurants.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:20:48 +0000

The veterans are doing everything that is necessary to take care of the plants: watering, feeding, pruning and weeding. Veterans take part of the sale of vegetables and plants to local restaurants.
view full-size image

The office is at the same time the kitchen.

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:17:46 +0000

The office is at the same time the kitchen.
view full-size image

Gary 59 years old, U.S. Air force veteran 1966-72, is visiting the Veterans Garden. After being an alcoholic for 27 years, Gary managed to enter into the program in 1993 and stayed 15 years and finished as garden supervisor. As soon as he got a job as a driver for the VA patients, he realized that he will be able to be part of the society once again.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:22:00 +0000

Gary 59 years old, U.S. Air force veteran 1966-72, is visiting the Veterans Garden. After being an alcoholic for 27 years, Gary managed to enter into the program in 1993 and stayed 15 years and finished as garden supervisor. As soon as he got a job as a driver for the VA patients, he realized that he will be able to be part of the society once again.
view full-size image

John, 65 years old Vietnam War veteran 1967-69 has been working at the garden since 1991. Homeless for 2 years, he never thought getting help from the VA. Coming from a military culture that considers psychological issues a sign of weakness; many disabled war-veterans avoid proper care. Others struggle to receive benefits from an overwhelmed Veterans Administration. Only 34% of the 23 million living military veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Healthcare System.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:22:48 +0000

John, 65 years old Vietnam War veteran 1967-69 has been working at the garden since 1991. Homeless for 2 years, he never thought getting help from the VA. Coming from a military culture that considers psychological issues a sign of weakness; many disabled war-veterans avoid proper care. Others struggle to receive benefits from an overwhelmed Veterans Administration. Only 34% of the 23 million living military veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Healthcare System.
view full-size image

Veterans work every morning from 7h30am to noon with two breaks and a breakfast at 7 am five days per week. The garden activities provide them with a regular schedule. They need a strong surrounding framework to make the most of the therapy as some have to relearn social interaction.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:23:17 +0000

Veterans work every morning from 7h30am to noon with two breaks and a breakfast at 7 am five days per week. The garden activities provide them with a regular schedule. They need a strong surrounding framework to make the most of the therapy as some have to relearn social interaction.
view full-size image

Rosa Nielsen started as an intern in 2000 and has been therapist manager since 2008. She is experienced in substance abuse and mental illness.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:23:51 +0000

Rosa Nielsen started as an intern in 2000 and has been therapist manager since 2008. She is experienced in substance abuse and mental illness.
view full-size image

Rosa works at the garden every day side by side with them. The veterans get great pride in being consulted for the decision making, helping them to build up their self-esteem.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:24:12 +0000

Rosa works at the garden every day side by side with them. The veterans get great pride in being consulted for the decision making, helping them to build up their self-esteem.
view full-size image

Rosa and Haywood, a Vietnam War veteran 1966-73. He has been following the program for the past 5 years and has been living with serious drug addiction since the Vietnam. The garden brings him the strength to stay sober. One of the critical point is the intimate one to one ground session with patients. Her goal is to establish a regular and close relationship. The follow up care of the patients is on a daily basis.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:01:07 +0000

Rosa and Haywood, a Vietnam War veteran 1966-73. He has been following the program for the past 5 years and has been living with serious drug addiction since the Vietnam. The garden brings him the strength to stay sober. One of the critical point is the intimate one to one ground session with patients. Her goal is to establish a regular and close relationship. The follow up care of the patients is on a daily basis.
view full-size image

Based on the deficit or the disabilities they have, veterans are assigned on certain task. Some prefer to be outside, others like to work in the green house. For some veterans, their psychological problems or addictions are not military service connected, but related to divorce, alcoholism inside the family, family violenceâ€¦

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:43:29 +0000

Based on the deficit or the disabilities they have, veterans are assigned on certain task. Some prefer to be outside, others like to work in the green house. For some veterans, their psychological problems or addictions are not military service connected, but related to divorce, alcoholism inside the family, family violenceâ€¦
view full-size image

Chuck and James are waiting their appointment at the main hospital. Patients are reevaluated every 3 months to check their state.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:26:43 +0000

Chuck and James are waiting their appointment at the main hospital. Patients are reevaluated every 3 months to check their state.
view full-size image

Ludwig, 72 years old, Korean War veteran 1953-55, has been at the garden for the last 12 years.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:27:29 +0000

Ludwig, 72 years old, Korean War veteran 1953-55, has been at the garden for the last 12 years.
view full-size image

Schizophrenic, Ludwig used to hear voices when brushing his teeth. This horticulture program with the support of his psychiatrist and medications has helped to stop this symptom.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:27:51 +0000

Schizophrenic, Ludwig used to hear voices when brushing his teeth. This horticulture program with the support of his psychiatrist and medications has helped to stop this symptom.
view full-size image

Juno (left), 90 years old Second World War veteran with Chuck (right), 70 years old U.S. Navy veteran 1956-60.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:28:23 +0000

Juno (left), 90 years old Second World War veteran with Chuck (right), 70 years old U.S. Navy veteran 1956-60.
view full-size image

The Serenity Park Sanctuary is a parrot refuge located inside the Garden. This â€œTran-speciesâ€* occupational therapy program matches veterans with parrots that had suffered from traumatic stress. Some harmful behaviors like self plucking may be seen on abandoned parrots

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:32:07 +0000

The Serenity Park Sanctuary is a parrot refuge located inside the Garden. This â€œTran-speciesâ€* occupational therapy program matches veterans with parrots that had suffered from traumatic stress. Some harmful behaviors like self plucking may be seen on abandoned parrots
view full-size image

Stanley, 46 years old, first Gulf war veteran. The commonalty is what helps the veterans to bond with the birds and to hasten the recovery and healing process.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:32:47 +0000

Stanley, 46 years old, first Gulf war veteran. The commonalty is what helps the veterans to bond with the birds and to hasten the recovery and healing process.
view full-size image

Overview of the vegetables garden.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:29:52 +0000

Overview of the vegetables garden.
view full-size image

Howard, 59 years old Vietnam veteran era 1966-68, is working on sterile soil inside the green house. Even if he did not go to the Vietnam; he has been suffering of severe depression for the past 40 years due to his 18 months military training.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:33:59 +0000

Howard, 59 years old Vietnam veteran era 1966-68, is working on sterile soil inside the green house. Even if he did not go to the Vietnam; he has been suffering of severe depression for the past 40 years due to his 18 months military training.
view full-size image

Left to right: RW, Vietnam War veteran, Bobby and James, Korean War veterans, John, Vietnam War veteran. As war veterans, this mutual respect to each others helps them to share their experiences.

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Left to right: RW, Vietnam War veteran, Bobby and James, Korean War veterans, John, Vietnam War veteran. As war veterans, this mutual respect to each others helps them to share their experiences.
view full-size image

Some veterans managed to heal their wounds and found a place in the community. Others, even if the healing process is done, still work at the garden. The acknowledgement of the end of the therapy is a very difficult thing to appreciate for them.

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:51:44 +0000

Some veterans managed to heal their wounds and found a place in the community. Others, even if the healing process is done, still work at the garden. The acknowledgement of the end of the therapy is a very difficult thing to appreciate for them.
view full-size image

This photo-documentary is part of a long-term project called Backdraft. This study critically explores the domestic consequences of Americaâ€™s military endeavors on military veterans and their families. It looks at the work of individuals or organizations that provide for their needs or that explore the intrusion of militarism in the U.S. society.

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:08:21 +0000

This photo-documentary is part of a long-term project called Backdraft. This study critically explores the domestic consequences of Americaâ€™s military endeavors on military veterans and their families. It looks at the work of individuals or organizations that provide for their needs or that explore the intrusion of militarism in the U.S. society.
view full-size image

[untitled]

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:43:11 +0000

view full-size image