Life is becoming more expensive for everyone due to the rise in energy prices. But if you, like Sandra Prins (45) from Haarlem, are also highly dependent on care with a metabolic disease, then it is doubly sour. Even if you have an average income. “Because you have a disability, you need a more expensive health insurance package. But less and less is covered.”
The choice to leave the car at home more often and do the shopping by bike is one that Sandra, like many people, is taking more and more often. But she has to go by hand bike. Now she is not unfamiliar with it and as long as she can she undertakes long trips, even in the mountains. Last year she even participated in a Handbikebattle in the Alps, for which she trained Climbed the Cup of Bloemendaal 15 times.
Just back from a trip through Denmark with a group of hand bikers, she receives an email from her energy supplier. She’d rather not open it. “But you can’t keep putting it off forever.”
Sandra Prins has to make difficult choices with rising healthcare costs and higher energy prices – NH Nieuws / Geja Sikma
The perseverants: these North Hollanders can’t make it anymore
Inflation is rising to great heights and energy is almost unaffordable. Many North Hollanders can barely keep their heads above water, for many others it is becoming increasingly difficult. Big problems that affect everyday people. We call them: the perseverants. NH Nieuws will go to The Hague with this group of people on Tuesday, on Prinsjesdag. So that we can share these harrowing stories with national politicians.
Get to know our perseverants and their stories. You can find all their stories on this page.
“I’d rather not know,” she says with a smile as she opens the email. The stove is on again to keep her body at a comfortable temperature. As of October 1, her monthly bill will increase to 200 euros for her poorly insulated, small rental house where she lives with her boyfriend. And then she still has to wait for the annual statement in February. “That’s still hanging over your head.”
It is the sum of all those price increases that worries the positive Sandra. Her groceries are also expensive, because of a special diet without dairy. Due to the rare metabolic disease, her vision also decreases faster, but she postpones new glasses longer than she should. “Because yes, you only get a spectacle reimbursement once every three years, which is also a lot less.”
She doesn’t want to whine, because her income is still average. “But then you are also not entitled to aid measures and allowances.” She wants more customization from the government, especially in these times. “I think it is a very big step to succeed in that. That people look from higher up how these people can be helped.”