Two years ago, Pim (29) was in a boating accident that seriously injured his right leg, left arm and left hand. Pim had to abort his training with the Defense Department and entered a tough rehabilitation program. After being out of circulation for 1.5 years, he started his reintegration at work a few months ago January. The original training is no longer an option with his physical challenge and is now doing other work with the Defense Department. Having to cancel his training was a big disappointment, as he was ready to give it his all, loves physical exertion and doesn't shy away from a challenge. Fortunately, he has a huge positive mindset and is not going to give up. In fact, Pim is going to run the Amsterdam Marathon in October!

For this he will receive guidance from the Re-abled program, a collaboration between the Bibian Mentel Foundation and instrument maker Frank Jol. Together they are going to make sure that he will be able to run the 42 km with his new orthosis. We visited Pim to ask him about his road to the marathon!

Hi Pim! You are going to run the marathon,is running your main sport?

'I have always been very athletic, my parents are also incredibly athletic, I don't know better than that my father ran triathlons since I was a kid. During corona I started running because the gyms were closed. I was getting better and better and making progress.'

On Aug. 1, 2022, you survived a boating accident, can you tell a little more about that?

'I had just started military training when I had the boating accident two years ago. Together with some friends I went for a day of boating on the Vecht. We live near there and since high school we have been boating regularly. When we returned in Weesp from sailing, we went for a swim, we had turned off the motor. Together with a friend, I climbed back onto the platform of the boat. Somewhere else on the boat the motor accidentally turned on and we fell into the water because of the shock, after which we were run over by the boat. Fortunately, the friend fared a little better but I spent two months in the hospital. After all surgeries were successful, I was transferred to the military rehabilitation center where I continued to work on my recovery. After three months of rehab at the military rehab center, I was let go and went to work at AMC for civilian rehab.'

You've been affiliated with the Re-abled program for a while now. How did you become eligible with Re-abled?

My initial admission - just after the accident - was at AMC, and that is also where I later began civilian rehabilitation. During civil recovery, I told about my desire, and that I wanted to run again as soon as possible. It was someone at AMC who told me about the Bibian Mentel Foundation, Frank Jol and the Re-abled program.'

And how did that work out?

'The orthosis I got from the hospital was a daily orthosis, running on such an orthosis is not possible because it does not make the explosive force like a sports orthosis. I was immediately curious about the Re-abled program and before I knew it I had an introductory meeting with Frank Jol. The first question asked, "What is your dream?

Did you have the marathon in mind when you first got there?

'I didn't know beforehand what all was possible, but as I heard about the possibilities it certainly seemed feasible! We went to work on a new sports orthosis measuring, training, physio, adjusting where necessary and on again.'

At the time of the accident, I can imagine your life changing completely. What impact did that make on your life?

'A lot has changed, you start to think a lot and the clichés you often hear turn out to be true: you realize that you shouldn't just take life for granted. I have been able to turn my experience into strength and constantly feel the drive: how can I make the best of this? I still have about 60 years ahead of me if all goes well. In addition, I have always had faith in the dot on the horizon, stay positive!

'In the difficult moments, you just have to keep going so that in the end something very beautiful comes out of it. There is always a path to be found as long as you stick to positivity.'

We are now 7 weeks before the marathon, how did you start training?

'Last May my brace was ready and then I started working out with orthopedic technologist Marly and physical therapist Ashley. After the first few workouts, the brace was adjusted so it fit properly. Every week we did test runs so we could improve the sports orthosis and team Frank Jol came up with creative solutions during fittings. After several measurements, adjustments, test runs and when the sports orthosis fit well, I started running. Sometimes I had to go back because the sports orthosis still needed an adjustment, but that's the time to not let your courage get the better of you. The positive mindset and the experts in the Re-abled program helped me keep going. In the difficult moments, you just have to keep going so that something really beautiful comes out in the end. There is always a path to be found as long as you stick to positivity.'

At how many kilometers of running did you start?

'My first test run was two and a half kilometers. I also started a lot of strength training again and jumped on the road bike to work on my fitness. I felt my body was ready to take on challenges again. Two kilometers soon became five. Currently I'm at twelve kilometers, so I need to add thirty kilometers, but I'm going to get there!

Do you run into different challenges with running now than you did before your accident?

''My pace is a little down, but then people around me also say, 'Yeah, Pim, you're missing half your lower leg too. What do you expect?'""Fortunately, I feel as fit as before, the only thing is that I have built up some injuries here and there. I don't want to be inferior to a fully healthy person, so I'm trying to get back to my old level.' With the help of Re-abled, self-discipline and perseverance, I feel it is achievable.'

Also, you started crowdfunding, tell?

'The sports orthosis made for me is difficult to get financed. The cost runs into the thousands of euros but through Re-abled we manage to finance it. I started my crowdfunding with the idea that I would like to give something back so that even more people can be helped. I like extreme things, so I thought: the Amsterdam Marathon, let's go! People can donate in the run-up to the marathon and that way I'm not running the marathon for myself but also for other people within the Re-abled program.To be able to participate, sports shoe brand Mizuno sponsored me running shoes and a starting ticket, I'm very grateful for that and from those starting blocks I could start the adventure!

Funfact: Pim's running shoes consist of two shoe sizes: size 41 for his foot on the left leg, and size 44 for his right leg with orthosis.

Text: Justine Haantjens
Photos: Annabella Spee