Alicia (28) is confined to her home due to her illnesses: ‘A service dog gives me a glimmer of hope’

What many people take for granted: shopping, working, going for a walk, is a much bigger challenge for Alicia. Due to her pain, extreme fatigue, panic and fears, she cannot travel independently. That is why she would like an assistance dog for autism: as a buddy, to prevent panic attacks and to be able to travel independently.

At first glance, Alicia Plomp (28) seems to lead an ordinary life, but the reality is different. She has been dealing with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and the challenges of autism for almost her entire life, making everyday things a challenge. She currently lives with her parents in the Driemanspolder district, in a former garage that has been converted into an apartment.

Different from other children

Alicia went to De Voorde primary school in Meerzicht, a school for special education. “I initially came there because of my language problems and because I had difficulty learning,” Alicia says. But during her years in primary school, more complaints emerged. “I had constant pain in my knees and was extremely tired. Cycling to school or going to the gym felt very different for me than for other children.” She continues: “We spent a lot of time in the hospital. At first they thought it was a growth spurt, but in the end I had grown and my joints continued to bother me.”

‘Felt like failure’

Around the age of thirteen, more clarity finally came. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed, which causes pain in muscles and connective tissue. At that time she was attending ONC Clauslaan, a regular secondary school. And that took quite some time to switch gears: “I was used to small classes of about fifteen students. Suddenly I was in a class of thirty, which I found very difficult,” says Alicia.

But it wasn’t her motivation. Alicia completed her secondary school education, followed by a baker’s training and then the Nursing IG training. “I really wanted to do it, but it wasn’t always easy. I had to stop once because it just wasn’t possible anymore. That really felt like a failure at the time. But I started again and was eventually able to complete my training.”

It remains difficult to tell that I have autism.

More clarity

Three years ago, Alicia regained clarity. The fatigue she has suffered with all her life turned out to be caused by ME/CFS, a serious and chronic multi-system disease that severely limits her quality of life. Last year the final piece of the puzzle followed: the diagnosis of autism. “On the one hand, it felt good when I heard it, I thought: fortunately, it’s not my fault. But it was also strange, because I also thought: what now?”

To gain more clarity about her autism, Alicia took a number of courses. Then she carefully told those around her. She explains: “It is always difficult to tell people that I have autism, because people often judge it. They think that we cannot talk, or that we do not have social contacts. But I can have a conversation.”

Lonely and bored

Alicia cannot go out alone, so her mother often accompanies her. Working is also no longer possible and Alicia was completely rejected last year. As a result, she mainly spends her days at home. “I often feel lonely and bored. And I suffer a lot from panic and anxiety,” she says honestly.

Yet there are also bright spots in her life. For example, she takes drawing and violin lessons at the CKC. “Music is really an outlet for me,” says Alicia. And despite everything, she tries to stay positive. But daily functioning remains difficult.

A service dog for Alicia

But, good news: there is a way to make Alicia’s life a little easier and more fun. A service dog. A buddy who helps her through the day, senses her panic attacks coming and ensures that Alicia can do her own shopping. And maybe even work again. However, such an assistance dog costs 27,000 euros, an amount that Alicia cannot possibly afford on her own.

She created an online donation page and posted notes throughout the city. This is in the hope that Zoetermeer residents will lend a helping hand.

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