Resilience: lecture by Koen Versleijen

A lecture on resilience, hope and starting again

"You can't do anything anymore anyway!" with those words Koen Versleijen was completely rejected for work in 2020, at the age of 30. The cause: incurable Ushers syndrome, a condition that makes him slowly blind and deaf. He lost his job as a caregiver, his hobbies and his sports. What followed were intense years in which he became a major care recipient himself. He ended up in a severe depression that even caused him to be admitted to a closed ward of a mental health institution. But in the deepest valley, Koen regained his strength. He picked himself up and decided to share his story.

A story that not only touches, but also inspires. During this lecture, Koen speaks candidly about themes such as fear, loss experiences, failing care, mourning and self-hatred. But above all, he talks about how he developed resilience despite everything, as a result of which he now feels more alive than ever. His message is clear: you don't choose what happens to you, you choose what you do with it. Koen brings all this with vulnerability, but also with a healthy dose of humour and self-mockery.

This lecture is programmed as part of "WMC Unlimited", where inclusion, participation and diversity are paramount.