First lady Michelle Obama and all five living former first ladies will support a project to transform a gravel rooftop space at Washington, D.C.'s Children’s National Health System into a 7,200-square-foot healing garden, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.
Research shows that being exposed to natural elements facilitates healing and positively influences a child’s psychological, physiological and social well-being, the article said.
The idea of creating a healing garden was inspired by a young patient whose last wish was to go outside.
The garden will give patients and their families a healthy outdoor space to enjoy art, music and inspiring views of Washington, D.C. The garden will be dedicated to the first ladies of the United States, and Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan and Rosalynn Carter are serving as honorary chairs.
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