Sometimes life turns out differently than you imagined. Jesper Broens was diagnosed with MS at 18, after a long and arduous course of strange symptoms and countless tests. His future seemed uncertain and he put aside his desire for children. But after a stem cell transplant in Russia two years ago, life is smiling back at him. He will even become a father soon!
"The dream of being able to become a father was actually already behind me. It simply wasn't realistic: I could barely walk, only with a walker or wheelchair. Cycling also became increasingly difficult. Because of all the inflammations in my body I was constantly tired and had no energy to do anything. It was especially hard on my wife, because she had to take care of me in addition to her full-time job. In those days I often fell and was in the hospital several times a year because I had broken something. The desire for children I have had all my life I had to let go."
When Jesper heard of stem cell transplant options in Sweden and Russia, among other countries, he didn't have to think long. "I really wanted to go for that. Eventually I got the chance in Russia. Best exciting because there was also a big risk involved in such an operation. Yet I didn't hesitate for a moment and I am still enormously grateful for that: a day after I got my stem cells back I could move my toes again. Since then things have only gone uphill."
His life has changed tremendously since the stem cell transplant. "I can walk again and cycle long distances. But what I like most of all is that I have my independence back. I take care of the household, can go out. That also means that my wife has gone from 100% care to 80% time for herself. I never thought I would become a father again.
But now that I am doing so well, we have taken the plunge and are expecting our first child in the summer. I am greatly looking forward to that because I will spend most of my time with the baby. I will take care of her completely my wife continues to work full time. Of course that means quite a lot in the preparations. We are very consciously working on it now: an adapted baby room and changing area so that I can always sit when I am holding the baby.
A movable crib and a modification to the rollator so that the maxi Cosi fits on it. Fortunately the grandpas are very busy with that, they come up with something handy for me every time. Actually I can do everything myself just fine, I just have to think about it a bit more beforehand."
I met Kay when she organized a spinning marathon to raise money for stem cell transplantation. I was immediately excited about the ByKay carrier systems and gifted several couples in our group of friends a baby carrier when their baby was born. I could never have imagined that I would get to use a carrier myself. At the 9 months fair in Amsterdam, we visited Kay's booth. Here my wife and I both tried different carrier systems and we both purchased a click carrier so I don't have to adjust the carrier.
I think for me, carrying is not only very pleasant but almost indispensable in moving the baby properly. I still like having my hands free, even though I no longer fall. But with the baby, I will use the wheelchair or walker more, especially in the beginning, to feel more secure. Then carrying does come in handy. And when I spend all day with our baby, it just seems wonderful to carry!
Right now I have a doll of Kay's to borrow to practice with; the more I'm already used to it the easier it will be soon. Moreover, I can then try out whether I need to adjust the click carrier to make it easier to put on. Kay has already offered to help me think about this. So we are fanatically working on that now. But I can't wait until I can carry our daughter in it!"
