Don't Give Up
2016 September 27
Created by Ritje 7 years ago
JiePie,
keeping my promise!
My husband and I shared a very strong bond.
Throughout life we had our share of misfortune.
Every setback we endured seemingly strengthened our connection even more.
We made a promise to each other that if one of us should ever die the other would join.
My husband became sick…
It took us a long time to get the correct diagnose … he suffered from very rare disease.
At the end of his life we talked about the approaching death … he organized his own goodbye.
In one of our conversations … when he sensed that time was no longer on his side … he knew that I was willing to join him in death.
He said: Ritje, you can not leave, not yet.
I got a mission for you … you need to stay and fight our fight … against the disease MSA.
Multiple System Atrophy, … his disease …he needed me to continue and contribute so that a cure can be found.
I made him that promise … but it’s a very hard promise.
Sometimes I think it would have been better if I had joined him in death.
But on the other hand, I feel that he is somehow still here.
I feel his support, his presence.
In moments of despair I feel he is there, like a pat on my shoulder, .. like he is saying “
don’t give up, you are doing a great job”, …
2009 JiePie Died on December 27,
What is realised since his passing:
2010 First 'March is MSA Awareness Month
2010 First World MSA Day on October 3
2011 First JiePie Award for Research
2011 First A Mile and a Candle for MSA
2013 First Walk, Run or Cycle for MSA.
2015 First time we walked around the World.
1000 x Thanks to all participated @ the Walk, Run or Cycle and light a Candle for MSA .
Collectively we count miles walked and attempt to circle the globe. All to symbolize our unity in the fight against MSA"
Ritje's Interview Radio 2 wired in 2015
broadcasted in Belgium 2015
and @ the Multiple System Atrophy Convention, New Orleans, US, 2016
Your loving Ritje !