Mental & Emotional Health

I was reading about a 37-year-old Ukrainian man named Leonid Stadnyk, who at 8 feet 5 inches tall is the word’s tallest man. His unusual height came about from an over stimulated pituitary gland that was the result of an operation on his brain when he was 14.

He lives in a house in a small village with his widowed mother. Since he doesn’t like the spotlight, he has mostly kept to himself but it’s hard not to be noticed when you’re that tall.

After refusing several times to be measured by the Guinness world book of records, he finally succumbed. Although he enjoys solitary activities like gardening, he is appreciative of the support since it has helped make his life, home and family more comfortable.

Leonid has received the world’s biggest bicycle and Ukraine’s president has given him a special oversized car. He was also given a computer so has developed many supportive online friendships.

Previously he went through some hard times since he had to quit his former job at a cattle farm as a veterinarian after getting frostbite from walking to work in his socks. He couldn’t afford shoes for his huge feet. Another health problem for Leonid is knee pain and he sometimes needs crutches to help support his 440 lb frame.

Garden Therapy

“I do not smoke, do not drink. Every penny I can save I spend on buying seeds and seedlings. The garden is a place for me. Height doesn’t matter there,â€? said Leonid (Too Tall to Be Happy)

There is no judgment in the garden. Gardening is good therapy and I find it peaceful and empowering at the same time.

I only got into it in the last couple of years and at first grew a few flowers in the front. Then I dug up a strip in our small back yard and planted some herbs and vegetables. Some of them fizzled out but some thrived. Thankfully my mother and a few of my friends were around to advise me and each year is more successful.

It doesn’t matter what you look like or what you know or where you’re from in the garden because we can all make things grow.

• For more information on Leonid see the video “World’s Tallest Man Has Trouble Fitting In” and Wikipedia’s page on Leonid Stadnyk.

• See Portable Garden and Horticultural Therapy for garden therapy resources.