How exciting it is to see a design come to life!  Welcome all to the 2008 Portland Home and Garden Show – come on in and “Restore Outdoors” – see our display garden! (C Hall, Space G11.) A delightful collaboration with phenomenal landscape contractors, Earthwork Landscape Inc. Thank you Rod and Brett!  Yes, Earthworks installs ponds and water features and so much more… with great care.  Particularly touched by their accommodation of my wishes to be accommodating and inclusive of all show attendees that visit and wander through our display.  What do I mean?  As a designer and a specialist in therapeutic and restorative landscapes, I know how critical applying Universal Design criteria is, so that the least of us and the most of us can interact with the natural world, without barriers.  In our case we used a simple ramp into our display (rise of 3″); path widths that accommodate walkers, wheelchairs; bringing plant material to the edge to touch/smell/see; and multi- and all-sensory materials (not just the plants!).   How lovely it was to witness a family of seven in our display – the husband taking great care to “share” the garden with his wife who is blind.  Deeply touched by him guiding her hand through our “Rain Drape” – to relish the light fall of water and to warm by the “Fire Discs”.  Come see, experience and most importantly RESTORE!