Heidi lives with me in Schijndel. I really only know Heidi by face. Her children go to school with my daughter and I have seen her (a long time ago) somewhere around school. Recently I was told through the news that Heidi is ill. Chronically ill. She is of course not alone in this, but her story gripped me.
Maybe because she's from 'my village'. Maybe because she is also a mother of children the same age as mine. I do not know. What I do know is that you put everything in perspective again when you read these kinds of stories. I therefore think that these stories should be told and asked Heidi if she would like to share her story about being chronically ill and her family with us.
And she does…
What touches me so much is that Heidi's dreams are on a completely different plane than my dreams – and undoubtedly those of many other mothers. What is so obvious to me is a question for her whether she will ever do it again at all.
Heidi's perspective for the future is uncertain now that she is chronically ill. Certainly if she conforms to the medical mill in the Netherlands, because the most progressive treatments for MS are simply not given in our country.
But… there is hope.
Heidi has recently been told that there is still a possibility to improve her future perspective as a chronically ill. By Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation † Worldwide there are about 70 clinics that offer some form of HSCT.
She can go to Mexico for a treatment where the chance of recovery is on average 80%! However, it is important that she undergo this treatment as soon as possible. Because of further progression of the chronic disease, her chances are reduced.
And here comes the challenge. These treatments are not reimbursed by the health insurer. Which means Heidi has to cough up €70,000 to grab this opportunity with both hands. To envision a better future with her family.
I don't know about you, but I don't have them on the shelf here, that $70,000. Still, you and I can probably miss little bits. And little bits make one big whole!
My question to you is therefore the following… can you spare a little bit of money to help Heidi? It doesn't have to be much (of course it is), but if you can spare something… help Heidi to a new future perspective!
She could use all the help! And don't think… well she's 'already' at 25%… because if everyone thinks like that, she won't get there. For the doubters… watch this video and listen to the music. That should be enough to help you over any threshold.
Heidi has set up a foundation to achieve her goal. I have a lot of respect for the way she is so vulnerable. You will only have to expose yourself to the outside world in this way, in order to offer yourself and your family a future.
