How the touch of a stranger changed the life of a paralysed man

Jaaps life changed drastically after an accident in Portugal when he was 21. A dive into the ocean lead to paralysis.
After a heavy rehabilitation period, Jaap decides to completely turn his life around. He thanks his positive attitude to Carlos, who works in the intensive care in Portugal and put him at ease with a touching gesture.

Jaap + Carlos = Carlosmoments

At 21, Jaap dives into the seabed while on a holiday in Portugal. Luckily he survives the accident, but is paralysed because of it. In intensive care in a hospital in Portugal, he meets Carlos, one of the nurses. Carlos paid attention to him, put a hand on his shoulder and told him; “It’s Okay.” This small gesture meant the world to Jaap, it put him at ease.

“I was lying there in a strange country, in a strange bed and in a strange body, The only thing I could still feel was panic. If I shouted long enough, somebody would come along and check the monitors and then leave again. Standard procedure. Until one night, nurse Carlos came when I had another anxiety attack. He saw me, Jaap, not just another diving victim. For me, that made all the difference in the world. By ‘just’ paying attention to me, he gave me the strenght to realise I’m still alive.”

“I think we all have a Carlos inside and everyone can make a difference in their own unique way. Those ‘Carlos moments’ – small and big successes – deserve to be credited and celebrated. Then you’ll see how they can make life even better.” Everyone can share ther ‘Carlos moment’ at the website.

Jaap and Carlos When they said goodbye at the airport, Carlos confessed that Jaap had had just as much impact on him as vice versa. Source: BrightVibes

Jaap surprises his guests and bride by standing to dance with her at their wedding

On his wedding day, Jaap gave his bride and visitors a big surprise: he arranged for them to dance their opening dance standing.  This way, they could share his wife’s passion for dancing.

(footage provided by www.cinematicwedding.nl)

Jaap, inspirational speaker

Jaap shares his story as inspirational speaker with companies with emotion and humour. How do you deal with changes? How can you put your talents to use?

Jaap knows like no other what it’s like to have to deal with sudden change. Right after his accident, he tried to held on to the old situation with all he could. But he soon learned that it causes your focus to stay in the past, while the present and future are so important. “What crosses your path can’t always be chosen, but fortunately you always have the choice in how to deal with it.”

Jaaps book “Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way”

One of Jaap’s dreams was to publish a book. His book “where there’s a wheel, there’s a way” was awarded best management book of 2015 in the Netherlands. In his book, Jaap teaches us how to have more fun in your work and private life by not fearing change, but rather embracing it as something that will help you pursue your passion. Carlo, the nurse from Portugal, was present at the book release and rather emotional about the amazing part he has played in Jaaps life.

Book ‘where there’s a wheel, there’s a way’ The book is currently being translated into English and will be available as of next year. Source: None