With a broad smile, Rick talks about his internship at Jaarbeurs. He has now been doing an internship in the facilities department for over a year. A place where he finds his rhythm, where he feels welcome, and where every day he proudly arranges the cooling of the roof, checks rooms and meticulously keeps his work list. "It's quieter than where I worked before. That's nice. There are three to four of us in the team. I really feel at home here." Rick was one of the participants of the Erik Scherder House, a special initiative for people with non-congenital brain injury. The house provides structure, personal support and opportunities to actively participate in society again. Rick is an example of how such an opportunity can grow into a sustainable perspective. "We deliberately took the step to an internship at Jaarbeurs because we believed in Rick and in the power of cooperation," says his supervisor from the Erik Scherder House. "And the great thing is: it works."
A new direction, after years of struggle
Rick’s story is one of perseverance. At the age of 17, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour that left him temporarily paralysed. He had to relearn everything: walking, speaking and functioning. “I’ve been fighting for thirteen years now. Recently, I’ve started to feel that I’m really back in the game.”
I've been struggling for thirteen years. Recently I felt: I am really participating again.Rick Verhaar
Before his brain injury, Rick worked in inland navigation for many years. "I was an apprentice skipper from the age of 14. I sailed on the Rhine in Belgium and Germany. But they were long days, sometimes up to 100 hours in five days. At some point, that was no longer tenable." The transition to a mainland job was big, but necessary. "At Jaarbeurs, I now work four mornings a week. That's manageable and good to do. And the colleagues are really super nice."
A workplace with room to grow
The collaboration between the Erik Scherder Huis and Jaarbeurs came about partly through the ‘Zorg & ICT’ trade fair, where Professor of Neuropsychology Erik Scherder was a guest speaker. That’s where the connection was made, and Rick was given the opportunity to do his work placement at Jaarbeurs. “It’s wonderful to see how an organisation like Jaarbeurs not only gives someone like Rick a place, but really recognises and supports him,” says Erik Scherder. “Work is so much more than just an income: it provides structure, self-esteem and social connection. That is exactly what the Erik Scherder Huis is all about.” Rick, too, feels that value every day. In the afternoons, he often went back to the Erik Scherder Huis in Amsterdam. “There, we exercise, we learn and you can take courses. First aid, English – if you want to learn something, it’s discussed. You have to put it forward yourself, but you’re given the space to do so. That variety is really nice.”
It is great to see how an organisation like Jaarbeurs not only gives someone like Rick a place, but really sees and supports him.Erik Scherder
Future plans and pride
Rick dreams of eventually becoming a caretaker. He’s still in the middle of his personal development, but he’s daring to make plans again. “I’m discovering what I’m capable of, and how far I can go. Sometimes I do worry about whether I can keep it up, but so far it’s going well.” At home, he looks after his dog, enjoys cooking and is often out and about. And perhaps most importantly: he’s recently moved into his own home. “These are real milestones for me.” At Jaarbeurs , colleagues look at Rick with admiration. His dedication, honesty and perseverance make a real impression. He is a valuable colleague, and his story shows what is possible when people and organisations give each other the space to grow.
