December 11, 2024 at 10:58 am
Concern
HARDINXVELD-GIESSENDAM This summer the Blokhuis had a scoop, for the first time in history the Olympic sport ‘bubble blowing badminton’ was played there. The video on the social media of the Syndion residential and guest house shows how much fun the residents had with their Olympic sports. This way, local residents, but also other interested parties, can see what is happening behind the front door of the Blokhuis.
Anyone who rings the doorbell at Sluisweg 1a cannot imagine what lies behind that front door. But once you cross the threshold you enter a different world. Nine young people with very severe multiple disabilities live here. In addition to the permanent residents, there is a group of approximately fifteen guests that the Blokhuis accommodates every week, all beds are regularly occupied, Laura says. She has been working at the location for about nine years. “We often notice that people have no idea who lives here. All residents are mentally disabled and have the level of a child between 0 and 18 months. They are often both physically and mentally disabled. They are truly beautiful, but vulnerable people. Yet it is a very nice house, we mainly try to offer experience-oriented daytime activities. Such as enjoying Snoezelen on a waterbed, horse riding, reading a story or making music. But also bake or craft something tasty, for example. Everything to stimulate the senses.”
DAILY RHYTHM
The residents follow a fixed daily rhythm of getting up, receiving daily care with many medical procedures and then starting their daytime activities at half past nine. In the afternoon, residents often rest for an hour. Some of the nine residents have lived in the Blokhuis for more than twenty years, such as Marleen and Marieke. Due to their vulnerable health, residents sometimes have to say goodbye due to a death.
WALKING
Although the Blokhuis has been located on the Sluisweg for thirteen years, contacts with local residents are limited. An open day to let them take a look, for example, is difficult because it causes too much unrest for the residents. “An open day like this is really of no use to anyone. But for example, we have our grandmother Anneke, a volunteer who often goes for walks with the residents or comes to help with cooking. We have also held a sponsored run before and always try to participate on King’s Day. We also go for a walk almost every day or sit in the garden when the weather is nice.”
COOKING VOLUNTEER
To show local residents what is happening behind the front door, they have been using social media more often lately. For example, it shows a video of a day in the life of resident Jochem, one of the nine residents. From waking up in the morning, knowing together, making music and walking, until he falls asleep again after reading a story in the evening. There is a care team of about 25 people surrounding the residents and guests. Volunteers to help with care are always welcome, for example a cooking volunteer regularly comes to assist in preparing the meals.
Many of the residents suffer from epilepsy and such a bang is always unexpected, it can really scare them.
EPILEPSY
With Christmas approaching, the living room of the Blokhuis is already nicely decorated with a Christmas tree. After Christmas comes the New Year and that is often a difficult period for the residents, Laura den Hartog explains. “Many of the residents suffer from epilepsy and such a bang always comes unexpectedly, it can really frighten them, they often become anxious. At New Year’s Eve you know it’s part of it, but the fireworks start earlier and earlier and get heavier.” The Blokhuis on the Sluisweg is located some distance from the tunnel under the A15, but the fireworks that are set off there also cause unrest. “Those cobras are blasting away and you can hear them very well here. Many fireworks are also set off in the evening when the residents are in bed and then they wake up. Sometimes we give them earplugs or put on some music. This way you can survive for one day, but not for weeks. Some residents still suffer from this months later.”
FIREWORKS FREE ZONES
The municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam does not have any fireworks-free zones around the New Year, but that would certainly be a solution for the Blokhuis. However, the municipality has chosen not to set up fireworks-free zones because enforcement in these zones cannot be guaranteed. Through its communications, the municipality does ask that people take each other into account, especially around locations where elderly and/or vulnerable people live.
