Creating a Healing Center

I would like to create a space on 25 acres in which radical healing occurs. Abused earth + disABLED adults = healed land and healed people . To me, this formula is simplistic and effective . Are there any permies out there who have seen/created a space like this? What worked well? What are the pitfalls? I appreciate all feedback.

Hi Hildegard,
Permaculture and healing go so well together. We have a large garden area we are planting and beatifying and eating in. We pick our veggies and prep and eat them in a little house made from bricks, logs and old windows mortared together with adobe, by my then 16 year old son. People who eat with us and our own stomachs feel so good after.
I am an acupuncturist and my favorite way of treating people is under a tree! Patients love it and I feel more energy. We are in S California but think of moving near Fresno for higher altitude.We are needing new friends there.
Friendly, Apolonia

Perhaps you could host alternative healing workshops. We filmed this one on Apithearpy (Healing with bees): http://organiclifeguru.com/course/apitherapy-health-and-healing-from-the-hive/

at the Meta Earth Institute: http://www.mettaearth.org/

I haven't heard of a program exactly like what you describe, but certainly it could borrow from permaculture/intentional community experiences and those creating other work/live opportunities for people with disabilities, like those run by Goodwill Industries or even L'Arche.

One thing that did strike me is that this is not dissimilar to what I think is a remarkable initiative to help recruit new farmers in the US, particularly organic farmers, from among the ranks of veterans. Many veterans return home to discover limited economic opportunities, and having seen combat and suffered life-changing injuries and PTSD as a result, find going "back to normal" almost impossible. Earth is healing, and turning to growing and building from chaos and destruction is healthy and life-affirming, and something that participants really seem to respond to. Here are a couple of links, in case you're interested:

http://www.groundoperations.net/get-involved/

http://www.farmvetco.org/

Anyway, I just wanted to share these similar-but-not-a-perfect-match programs with you in the hope that they will be inspirational. Your idea really is a remarkable one, and one I can imagine being very successful. Best of luck!