“This form of rehabilitation encourages clients to get out of ‘survival mode'”

“I’m now ready to make it better for myself, I realize that I’m getting in my own way and that I have to take the bull by the horns now.” This was said by a client of Royal Visio Den Bosch. From 23 to 30 September, six visually impaired clients walked more than 110 km with three professionals and three buddies on the path of the Walk of Wisdom around Nijmegen.

Self-direction

In this rehabilitation walking week, the clients were challenged by being on the move and gaining awareness and insight. They learned to bring about changes in attitude and behaviour from their own direction. The focus is not only on psychological well-being, but also on orientation and mobility, social skills and general activities of daily living.

Aware of your own strength

Being on foot on the trail appeals to all of these areas. The assumption is that this form of rehabilitation stimulates clients to get out of ‘survival mode’: they gain insight into and become aware of their own strengths, patterns, survival strategies and way of dealing with their disability. As a result, they dare and can take control of their own lives better and faster.

Space

One of the clients said afterwards: “Acknowledging myself as ‘visually impaired’ gives me more space.” Another said: “The group motivates me to keep going. The buddy has shown me that I can start walking again. That gives a sense of equality, because there is exchange on a human level, seriously and with a lot of humour.”

Sofie Mangnus and Mia van Rooij