Further information:
-Robert lived in the village Seketia near Sampa and was one of the catechists of Fr. Pieter of the Sampa R.C. Parish. Because of his hereditary illness with ascending paralysis (just like one of his sisters) he could not function anymore and chose to be transferred to Hand in Hand.
-Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses.
-Caregiver: Emanuel
-Financial adoption 2006: Mr. Van Woerden, Fam Van Der Zalm (Holland)
Mr. Robert
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Mr. Robert occupies a special position within the Hand in Hand community. He is a physically, not mentally handicapped man and he is not an orphan but decided himself that he wanted to live at the Hand in Hand community. Mr. Robert finished secondary school and became a farmer and then a catechist for the Roman Catholic Church. He was not handicapped at that time. At age 31 his knees started to give away. Gradually the paralyzing process reached his chest and arms as well. Father Pieter gave a wheelchair to Mr. Robert and took him to the Hand in Hand community to have a look around and decide whether it was something for him. In 1997, Mr. Robert moved to the Hand in Hand community. Nowadays, he shares a room with Peace and his caregiver Emmanuel. At the Hand in Hand community, Mr. Robert performs as historian and receptionist. He keeps up the daily diary. He also leads the daily and Sunday prayers and sings beautifully. When he arrived in May 1997, Mr. Robert was expected to live 6 to 12 months. However, his disease did not advance as quickly as expected. |
