Gardens of Hope

Gardens of Hope

I've always been captivated by how we, as humans, interact with the spaces around us. Perhaps it was this fascination that led me to ballet as a young girl—the graceful movement of bodies across the dance floor. I danced professionally for a time, but eventually, I found myself increasingly drawn to the outdoors. This shift led me to pursue a career in landscape architecture, while raising a family with my husband.

My path took a sudden turn when our third child, Ethan, was born with a severe seizure disorder. As we sought treatment to help him live more comfortably, we noticed something remarkable—being outside seemed to calm him. His seizures became less frequent as he watched the silhouettes of his tiny fingers against the sky. Inspired by this, we, along with the support of our friends, decided to create a sensory therapy garden in our backyard—an oasis filled with plants of varying colors, textures and fragrances, designed to soothe both his body and mind.

Sadly, Ethan never got to experience the garden we built for him—he passed away when he was just 2½ years old. Though his time with us was short, I am forever grateful for the impact he had on my life. In the most profound and heartbreaking way, he guided me toward my purpose.

This led me to a new role with the Vermont Family Network, an organization that had supported us with my son’s special health need challenges. It was here that I found the clarity to pursue certification in horticultural therapy, enabling me to share the healing power of nature with others.

I dreamt of bringing this knowledge to the UVM Medical Center, a place that had been a beacon of support during our family’s darkest moments. Today, I am fortunate to work in the hospital’s gardens, where I help connect people to nature in spaces where they can learn, relax and find moments of "awe."

Through nurturing plants, harvesting and cooking fresh food, I hope to remind us all that the health of the planet is intricately linked to our own—and through this bond, we can find the power to heal.

Rachel Boyers is the garden educator in culinary medicine at UVM Medical Center. She has been with us since 2023.