Until she got post-COVID, Ans Willy Wildschut was a socially active woman. In addition to her work at the day treatment of a nursing home, three days a week, she played in a music association, did board work and took a sewing course. None of that is possible anymore. She gets tired quickly, has a lot of trouble with her lungs and gets overstimulated quickly. Nevertheless, she has managed to enjoy herself again and make the best of it. However, that did not happen automatically.
Always too heavy
In March 2022, the entire family was in trouble. After her husband and daughters quickly recovered from corona, things went from bad to worse for Ans Willy. At the insistence of her employer and the occupational health physician, she made several attempts to reintegrate. She was given lighter work each time, but even then her body indicated that it was too heavy. Even light administrative work gave her severe migraine attacks. “But yes, you want to persevere, that's just in your nature. It was only in the second instance that I got an occupational health physician who did understand and advised me to take a rest.”
Help requested and received
It was around that time, autumn 2023, that she signed up for C-support. “A little later I got a phone call from someone who said: 'You asked for help, so here I am'. That was Karla, my aftercare advisor from that moment on. Based on my story, she really advised me to stop reintegrating, to prevent further relapse. Because I couldn't process a lot of information at once, she then guided me step by step through the process of the WIA application. I was so happy when I was declared unfit for work in mid-2024."
Redding
“When I could barely walk a hundred meters, it was Karla who encouraged me to apply for a mobility scooter. She quickly understood how I am and was able to handle it well. Going out with that mobility scooter, I was quite ashamed of that at first, but it was my salvation. My world had become so small. Now I could walk the dog with my husband again and I went to other places, a bit among people. Although it still quickly gets too busy for me.” Her mobility scooter also raises questions. For Ans Willy reason to tell what happened to her and what post-COVID can do to you. “I really don't think I'm pathetic, but more needs to be known about post-COVID.”
Getting a little better as time goes by
Since she was able to leave the stress of the impending dismissal behind her, Ans Willy is gradually doing a little better. “I am no longer as depressed as during the reintegration, I can enjoy things a little more again. I can also walk a bit further, say 500 meters, and I recently cycled a bit for the first time again. Electric of course and very carefully, because I still have trouble with my balance. I can also go to a birthday party again, although I do go home earlier. It is really a constant choice between what you can and cannot do. And I am getting better at that.”
What is still possible
She recently started seeing a medical social worker. “I still find it difficult to take a break in time and really relax. She helps me to let go of the ‘must’ and to accept life more as it is now. You have to make the most of it and especially see what is still possible. That’s how I’m now busy with my sewing machine again. Not too long, half an hour at a time, and no new things, no complicated patterns.”
Good feeling
“So now I started making two types of bags, which I offer via my Facebook page. I enjoy that, it gives me satisfaction. I don’t have to make any money from it myself, I just have my benefits. Then I had to think about what a good cause is for me. And who has helped me the most lately? That is C-support, number 1 by far. So that is where the proceeds now go. That gives me a good feeling.”
