Yard Care with Mark Perry

When living in New England with SCI, you need to make the most of every great weather day.

I take great pride in my yard and spend many hours landscaping. I fertilize the lawn 4 times per year. I dig out around trees and gardens to mulch the beds. I mow the lawn sometimes more than once per week or when it needs it. Sometimes in the spring, mostly fall, I'll patch my lawn with screened loam and seed.

In the spring I tip my mower on its edge to scrape the underside clean, change the oil and put on a sharp blade for the season. I'll fill my 2 ½ gallon gas can a few times a year. I prefer a smaller can because it's easier to lift and pour.

For fall cleanup, I use an electric leaf blower supported around my neck with a laptop bag strap, so I don't have to support all the weight with my arms. I spend many hours raking and picking up leaves. I fill a medium size collapsible bag and dump the leaves in the woods behind my house.

I do all this in a second-hand Hoveround power

feature to move dirt/mulch/stone. I push my mower or spreader with my left arm while driving the power chair with my right.



**Mark has T10 paraplegia and can be found in his yard or out riding with the US Spyder Ryders throughout the summer.**