Chandelier
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Fysiek uitgeschakeld maar belangrijke bron van kennis, lintje voor ME-patiënt Anil van der Zee
Anil van der Zee is benoemd tot Ridder in de orde van Oranje Nassau voor zijn aanhoudende inzet voor patiënten met slecht begrepen ziektes als ME en long covid.
nos.nl
700-word article.
Congratulations, @Grigor, well deserved!
Physically disabled but an important source of knowledge: medal awarded to ME patient Anil van der Zee
Sander Zurhake
Although the chronic and extreme exhaustion illness ME has left him physically able to do almost nothing, Anil van der Zee has nevertheless managed for years to make a positive difference to the lives of many fellow sufferers.
It may sound impossible, but he has done exactly that.
Today, he was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for his efforts.
He received the royal honour from Amsterdam mayor Halsema.
Van der Zee has lived in isolation for more than 10 years.
A few times a year, he sees someone for a few minutes.
Because of his illness, too many stimuli from light, sound, smells, or physical exertion can cause him to experience a crash.
That is why there were no grand speeches, camera flashes, or applauding crowds when he was knighted.
There was only a quiet, brief conversation.
He received the distinction on the recommendation of patient organizations, activist groups, and scientists.
They agree that without Anil, growing awareness of post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) such as ME, long COVID, Q fever fatigue syndrome, post-sepsis syndrome, and Lyme disease would still be a long way off.
It is remarkable: a man living in physical isolation has also become one of the most prominent voices on the subject of PAIS.
His mind has remained sharp.
Time and again, he uses online channels to debunk poor-quality scientific work that could have harmful consequences for patients.
At the same time, he patiently shares his knowledge by email and chat with journalists, politicians, doctors, scientists, and, above all, his fellow patients.
