Monty Don fights back tears as he opens up about harrowing health ordeal at Chelsea Flower Show
MONTY Don was left emotional as one of the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show reminded him of a stroke he suffered a few years ago.
The gardening expert described the terrifying experience as feeling like he was ‘falling into a black hole’.
While looking around the nature displays at the Flower Show, Monty explained that many of the show gardens have a deeper meaning to them.
Several of them were sponsored by charities, so the spaces were designed to reflect causes the organisations supported.
The plot that moved the Gardeners’ World host the most reminded him of his health battle in 2008.
He told viewers: “It is sponsored by The Stoke Association, therefore it is about the recovery process from having a stroke. The reason why I’m particularly drawn to this garden is because I had a stroke quite a few years ago now.
“I recovered and I know that process intimately. Now it might not be the same as other people’s experience but nevertheless, it is therefore very personal to me.”
When he saw a pond in the centre of the garden he got emotional.
“Immediately for me, I see that as emblematic because I interpret that as the black space, I remember feeling in my brain,” he shared tearfully.
“It was like a black hole or a pit and my mind was falling into it and words and thoughts, they were disappearing.
“To be honest, seeing it is an emotional and difficult thing, I don’t know if that’s intentional, I don’t know if that’s just me responding to it.”
Maria Harris, who designed the garden, had suffered from a stroke herself.
She had a personal conversation with the horticulturalist about the way she arranged the plants to simulate the recovery process.
When Monty asked her about his interpretation of the pond, she responded: “I think that’s absolutely valid, there are parts of this garden which are very, very important to me and then there are parts which I love.
“It’s about that powerful, wonderful thing that nature can do. Just take a moment, take a breath and relax.”
What is a stroke and aphasia?
MORE than 100,000 people suffer a stroke every year in the UK.
It is a life-threatening medical condition that claims the lives of over 38,000 people annually.
The main symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake
- Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms
Strokes are caused when the supply of blood to the brain is restricted or stopped and cells begin to die.
Certain conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular heart beats and diabetes, increase the risk of having one.
Strokes are usually treated with medicine, but people are often left with long-term problems so recovery can take some time.
For example, many people experience aphasia – difficulty with language or speech, usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain.
Sufferers will often have trouble with reading, listening, speaking, writing or typing.
Speech and language therapy is the main type of treatment.
Strokes associated with pregnancy are rare, but pregnancy and childbirth do increase your risk.
Source: NHS and the Stroke Association
Shortly after his stroke Monty spoke to The Mail about the experience, saying he thought he was going to die.
He added: “As I walked it felt as if I was tipping over, so I’d lean the other way and find myself tipping into a hedge instead. I cannot over-exaggerate how alarmed and unwell I felt.
“It was incredibly frightening because it was as if I had entered totally uncharted territory.”