The two directors of Het Adriano Huis in Bergen op Zoom who were stabbed by a resident on Friday are doing well. Farid El-Khassim and Jelle Gillissen were allowed to go home after a night in hospital. No vital organs were hit and they are in good health. The directors announced this in a press release.
The Adriano House in Bergen op Zoom is an institution for people with intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems. But El-Khassim and Gillissen emphasize that the stabbing was a one-off incident. “A serious incident,” they call it. But they hope that outsiders will not look differently at the residents of The Adriano House. “We trust that the environment and residents of Het Adriano Huis will continue to approach residents in the same way as before this incident,” said El-Khassim and Gillissen. “We still fully support our people, residents and organization.”
‘Glad to be able to share this in good health’
The two drivers describe what happened on Friday. “A resident of Het Adriano Huis unexpectedly stabbed driver Jelle Gillissen (34) several times with a stab object. The other driver Farid El-Khassim (56) who was nearby at the time came to Jelle’s aid and was also stabbed several times. Ultimately, the drivers managed to overpower the resident.”
The two were immediately taken to the Erasmus hospital in Rotterdam. It turned out that no vital organs were hit. That is why El-Khassim and Gillissen were allowed to go home on Saturday. “We have received hundreds of phone calls, whatsapps, cards and flowers to wish us strength and encourage us,” they say. “We are pleased to be able to share this story with you personally in good health.”
Anniversary meeting continues
Still, the fear is there. And not just at El-Khassim and Gillissen themselves. “The directors are already in talks with all concerned about the situation of this particular Friday, given the impact this terrible event has on residents and employees, but certainly also on the drivers and their families,” said the pair. “The Adriano House is aware of the impact, but emphasizes that this is an isolated incident.”
To make it clear that The Adriano House has not changed substantially, the upcoming anniversary party will continue as usual. On Saturday, June 18, the institution will celebrate its third anniversary. There will be a meeting from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. “You are very welcome to get to know our residents and get to know The Adriano Huis.”
ALSO READ: Two board members were injured by stabbing at a healthcare institution