First Lady Melania Trump today met with patients, families, doctors and other care team members at Children’s National Health System, to talk about their personal experiences and health care journeys, and how the gift of nature and the beauties of the outdoors can contribute to the healing process.
“I am a passionate believer in integrating and interpreting nature’s elements into our daily lives to create a warm, nurturing and positive environment. I believe that these same natural benefits can be instrumental to enhancing the health and well-being of all children. It is important to me that children can recognize, identify and express their feelings in order to promote their mental wellness and healing process,” said Mrs. Trump.
Central to her visit was a gathering with patients, caregivers and families in the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden at Children’s National. The 7200 sq. ft. garden honors the late DC philanthropist and horticulturist, Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, and is dedicated to all of the First Ladies of the United States, in recognition of their longstanding support of the nation’s children and the mission of Children’s National. The Healing Garden was created to give children and families at the hospital the opportunity to safely experience the outdoors during care, giving them a respite from treatment and a means of experiencing the comfort, peace and healing power of a beautiful garden environment. It will be officially dedicated by the First Lady at a special event later this spring.
The First Lady toured several areas of the hospital and met with physicians and patients at Children’s National Heart Institute. In the Healing Garden, the First Lady gathered around with several children to plant seeds of Morning Glory, a symbol of love and renewal, followed by one of the children reading a short poem called "Seeds."