Small adjustments for big difference in daily life
How your life can be changed by a seemingly minor inconvenience is something Moraima de Windt, 53, knows all about. Three years ago her right hand started to hurt. While working in cleaning, she would sometimes just drop things. After a long medical search, the problem was found, but she can no longer do many things. Meanwhile, Moraima is well on her way in her own home. With the necessary adjustments, she can manage herself again. Moraima tells her story.
"Suddenly I began to notice that things were going wrong. The vacuum cleaner just fell on the floor when I was working. I also just dropped things from my hand. After working, my hand was thick and swollen and in a lot of pain. I didn't understand what was wrong. Doctors put it down to tendinitis. I was given a brace and physical therapy, and when that didn't help, tape. With all these remedies, I managed to get by at work. But when I got home and everything came off, I was in agony. Then I had to have surgery. Unfortunately, it got worse after that, so I had to go under the knife again.
My hand unfortunately did not become what it used to be. As a result, I unfortunately could no longer do my job in cleaning at a school. I ended up on sick-leave and received benefits from UWV. It also had quite an impact at home. Cleaning, cooking and taking care of my children was a big problem. I have a son of 12 and a daughter of 18, who have been helping where they can for years. And my two oldest children live independently in the western part of the country. The kids can't take everything from me, and I don't want them to. I prefer to do everything myself. But the fact is that you also have to realize that at some point it will no longer be possible.
Then I was pointed to household help through the municipality. After my application, several people came to my home. Together we looked at my home and what I can still do. For example, I received tailored advice on the things I was used to cleaning with and how I clean. But also on how I cut and prepare food in the kitchen. That helped me tremendously. I bought all kinds of things to make those chores easier and less demanding, such as different wipes, a different floor squeegee and a different cutting board. Now I manage to do my housework and cooking myself again.
Unfortunately, my life is not quite back to normal yet. Finding new work is not working out. I did volunteer work, which I liked. Via community worker Yvonne I ended up in the Sjevemethoes. A few times a week I played games and did needlework with the elderly. Despite many job applications and good guidance from the UWV, I have not yet found a paid job. I am not giving up, because I definitely want to work again. What I managed in the household, I must also succeed in work."
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