‘Restaurant Misverstand’ swings open its doors in the seaside city of Ostend for the third season. Dieter Coppens once again takes eight people with young dementia under his arm for an unforgettable experience: Geert, Lieve, Annick, Fons, Els, Anne, Gie and Jan.
This time they will not only work together in the restaurant, they will also actually live together during their working week. Dieter and the employees stay in a unique and idyllic location close to the restaurant. Here they can relax together and enjoy a holiday atmosphere. They share their experiences, talk about their sadness together, but there is also a lot of humor, mutual understanding and friendship.
The new season is therefore entirely dedicated to the mutual experience of the fellow sufferers and their personal evolutions; both in and outside the restaurant. The eight employees and their families talk candidly about how they dealt with the diagnosis and what the consequences were for them. Due to their illness, they are often forced to stop working, hobbies and friends disappear and, above all, their self-confidence takes a big hit.
By participating in ‘Restaurant Misverstand’, the employees want to show what they can still do after their diagnosis.
Dieter first takes the employees on an introductory weekend where they get the opportunity to understand each other better. In the restaurant everything starts from the employees. The menu is based on the employees’ favorite dishes and they choose whether they prefer to work in the kitchen or in the hall. Naturally, not everything will go smoothly because the employees have no catering experience and certain actions are becoming increasingly difficult due to their illness. But in ‘Restaurant Misverstand’, mistakes and misunderstandings are part of life. This year too, Dieter is taking everyone on a weekend halfway through the process. And during the restaurant days, some surprising guests will appear who are happy to lend a helping hand.
The permanent restaurant team is the same as in previous seasons. Dieter Coppens and his colleagues will ensure smooth operation in the room, while Seppe Nobels and assistant chef Romina will supervise the kitchen brigade. The kitchen and the room of ‘Restaurant Misverstand’ are being adapted so that the eight employees can work in the best conditions. Expert Anouck de Bruijn from the Dementia Expertise Center will once again provide support before and behind the scenes this year.
Get to know the eight employees:
Geert – 53 years old (Hasselt)
Geert lives with his wife Annick in Hasselt. In 2022, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which mainly affects his speech. He can no longer practice his profession as an IT professional, but his days are well filled: Geert is an avid runner and has already run several marathons. He dreams of being able to do the six biggest marathons in the world. Geert also works as a dishwasher in a restaurant, goes to sculpting class once a week and cooks at home every day.
Lieve – 61 years old (Wevelgem)
Lieve comes from Wevelgem and has always been a PE teacher in secondary education. That sporty side is still there: walking, cycling, playing tennis and dancing, she does it every day. She receives the support of her husband and her two children. Lieve has been diagnosed with FTLD: frontotemporal lobar dementia. This form of early-onset dementia affects her language: she forgets the meaning of many words, making it difficult for her to follow conversations. With her participation in ‘Restaurant Misverstand’, Lieve mainly wants to keep busy, get a lot of exercise and make herself useful.
Annick – 60 years old (Mortsel)
Annick is a single and proud mother of four children. She always worked as a primary school teacher until Alzheimer’s disease made that impossible. She lives alone in her house in Mortsel and she succeeds thanks to the daily help and care of her children, especially her daughters Marion and Madou. They have organized their lives, among other things, around caring for their mother. Sports, having fun and enjoying life together with their mother are very important to them. Annick hopes to learn a lot from her fellow sufferers through her participation in ‘Restaurant Misverstand’.
Fons – 61 years (Ramsel)
Fons lives with his wife in Ramsel. Before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he worked in a lumber company. He still has a passion for wood. At home in his studio he can enjoy himself making all kinds of wooden constructions. He is also a huge nature and animal lover. Together with his wife Leen, he walks several kilometers every week.
Stirring pots is not his thing, but being among people, laughing and having fun is. Fons still feels good and hopes to be able to help other fellow sufferers in the restaurant.
Els – 50 years (Ravels)
Els is the youngest of the group. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 49 and that was a very hard blow. She then worked as a geriatric nurse and did the job with heart and soul. After a difficult period, she is ready to fully embrace life again and enjoy it to the fullest, together with her husband and daughter. Els calls herself a real foodie and loves good food. She is also a very good cook and trained as a baker.
Anne – 53 years old (Kortrijk)
Anne has two daughters and lives with her husband Kurt in Kortrijk. She worked as an executive secretary for almost 25 years. She stopped working because she first thought she had a burnout, but it turned out to be Alzheimer’s disease. A heavy blow for the whole family. Anne loves walking and moments of happiness with her friends and family.
Anne is still in the acceptance process and has not yet had contact with fellow sufferers. She hopes that ‘Restaurant Misverstand’ can add value to this.
Gie – 65 years (Mechelen)
Gie is married to Heidi and father of three adult sons. He was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. A form of dementia that affects, among other things, his orientation and motor skills. Before he was diagnosed, he worked as an aerial photographer. His great passion is music, he is a real musician and never goes anywhere without his guitar. Most of all, he enjoys playing music with his sons.
Jan – 58 years (Lievegem)
Jan is married to Brigitte and has two sons and two grandsons. He has always been a self-employed painter, but he has been at home since he was diagnosed with FTD: frontotemporal dementia. The disease has completely changed his behavior. He can be rebellious at times and has lost his inhibitions. Since his illness, Jan has become a fanatic techno lover. He also doesn’t speak much anymore, even though he used to be very social.
Episode 1 (March 14)
The employees meet each other in the cabins where they will also stay during their working weeks in Ostend. They get to know each other and enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Dieter takes them to the seaside location where they will open ‘Restaurant Misverstand’. Here, for once, they can put their legs under the table and taste the menu, which is based on their favorite dishes. They also receive a mini-training in catering, after which they can choose a kitchen or hall position.
Anne is still a bit unsure, but can count on Fons’ help. Annick is still having a hard time setting the tables, and for Gie and Geert the hustle and bustle of a first service is quite intense. After a busy first day at work, everyone can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet in the cabins.
‘Restaurant Misverstand’, from March 14 every Thursday at 8:35 PM on VRT 1 and VRT MAX.
2024-03-13 06:37:47
#employees #open #Restaurant #Misverstand #Aan #Zee #Dieter #Coppens #TVvision
