Leiden resident René has been committed to various charities for years. This also applies to the Alzheimer Netherlands Foundation. A goal that is extra close to René’s heart, because his father suffered from Alzheimer’s.
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René (58) was born and raised in Leiden. In addition to his busy job, for which he trains to Breda several times a week, he is also fully committed to volunteering. René does not come from wanting to do something for others from a stranger. “We have learned from home to be ready for others. My parents have always done a lot for other people. And my youngest brother, like me, is passionately committed to charity.”
Kite flying in the park
René’s father passed away four years ago. He spent the last years of his life in a nursing home. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. “Some patients become hostile or aggressive due to Alzheimer’s, but my father did not have that. Fortunately, he remained very much himself and became even nicer,” says René. He has plenty of fond memories of his father Dick. “My father was truly the best father there was. He was always there for you and had everyone’s best interests at heart. Even when we were young, he paid a lot of attention to me and my brothers and sister. We went flying kites or playing ball in the park and cycling for long stretches almost every weekend. That was very unique at the time, because most fathers were not that involved.”
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Proud father Dick with his three sons | Image: Private photo René
Strange sir
Dick’s Alzheimer’s started with the ‘typical’ characteristics, says René. “My mother had suspected for some time that something was wrong with him. She only really noticed it when she went on holiday with my father. He was so disoriented. That is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, the disorientation.” In the years that followed, Dick slowly deteriorated. In the last year he no longer recognized René. “An example I remember well was when he was in the music hall with my mother. My father loved music and he could always remember songs well, as musical memory is not easily affected by Alzheimer’s. When I came in, my father asked my mother what that ‘strange gentleman’ came to do.”
Above all
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Yet René also has very nice memories of his father Dick from that last phase. “I remember well that my youngest brother and I were in the hospital with him. The nurse whispered to me and my brother what a fantastic father we had. But my father also once gave me a very sweet compliment. One evening he kept asking when his son René would come. He didn’t recognize me. I then said: ‘But I’m here anyway.’ My father replied: ‘You are also very nice sir, but my son is a bit higher.’ That will always stay with me.”
You are nice sir, but my son is a bit higher
Without an umbrella
Collecting for Alzheimer Netherlands is therefore very important to René. He takes time off from work and goes out into the streets for as many hours as possible every day. “I’m secretly happy when it rains, then I raise more. People are more likely to give something because they find it sad.” Every year René looks forward to collecting. “I really enjoy doing it and enjoy chatting with people from the neighborhood. Many Leiden residents are familiar with the disease, have someone close to them with Alzheimer’s or have dementia themselves. Those conversations are extra special.”
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René with the collection box | Image: Private photo Portrait Dick | Image: Private photo
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René with the collection box | Image: Private photo Portrait Dick | Image: Private photo
Living together
In addition to Alzheimer Netherlands, René also often volunteers for other charities. Every year he goes tandem cycling with blind and partially sighted people. “I always do that with great pleasure. You can really mean something to someone else and meet so many beautiful people,” says René. He hopes that his enthusiasm will also encourage others to do volunteer work. “In a society you have to live together. The world is so much more beautiful when we do something for someone else. I am convinced of that!”
Collectors wanted
Alzheimer Nederland is currently looking for collectors in Leiden. René: “Research into Alzheimer’s is desperately needed. One in five people gets Alzheimer’s, so that’s a huge number. Just a few hours of collecting can make a difference. Even if you only do a few streets, every little bit helps!”
From November 6 to 11, we will collect again for the Alzheimer Netherlands Foundation. You can register as a collector via this website or by email to [email protected].
Who is the next Leidener of the week?
Do you also have a special story? Or do you know a Leiden resident who we really should interview? Let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. These Leiden residents went before you!
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2023-11-04 16:01:40
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