I’m running the Berlin Marathon to raise money for Spinal Research!

At the end of 2021, I had an accident involving a horse that resulted in a spinal injury. Many everyday tasks became much more difficult afterwards, and exercising was a major challenge for a long time. After 2.5 years of rehabilitation, I’m thankfully almost fully recovered.

I know how much a spinal injury (let alone paralysis) can affect your life, and it’s something you wouldn’t wish on anyone. Unfortunately, around 2,000 people in the Netherlands suffer a spinal cord injury every year. The severity of these injuries can vary greatly, ranging from a complete spinal cord injury: where there is a total loss of function below the level of the injury, to an incomplete spinal cord injury, where some function remains and partial recovery may be possible. The higher the injury occurs in the spinal cord, the greater the impact on the body.

Spinal Research aims to make further groundbreaking research possible and, hopefully one day, find a cure for paralysis.

I’m incredibly grateful to have recovered to the point where I’m able to run this marathon. I hope you’ll help me make this possible for many more people too.