Ruud was 30 years old when it turned out that he suffers from Myotonic Dystrophy. A rare and serious muscle disease. Still, that doesn’t stop him from following his passions. This year he celebrates his fiftieth birthday with a grand festival in Zoetermeer!
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If you have lived in Zoetermeer for some time or grew up here, chances are you have visited one of Ruud’s events at some point. For years he has been organizing fun festivities for our municipality, such as Sinterklaas parties and the music event Hitz for Kidz.
Ruud Rienties comes from a well-known Zoetermeer family and has only lived elsewhere for one year in his entire life. “I went to Spain for a while, I wanted to see more of the world. There I picked oranges, worked as a shepherd, you name it!” After this adventure, Ruud returned to his beloved hometown. “People often complain, but I just think Zoetermeer is beautiful.”
Into the taxi
After high school, Ruud follows an MBO course in Business Administration and works for the Ministry of Education for several years. “I actually went insane. I found it so boring, I needed a challenge. So I left there and started doing something completely different.” Ruud makes a remarkable transition: he starts working as a taxi driver. “I did that for a few years and really enjoyed it. Especially since I had all kinds of different people in my car. One time a drunk man from the pub, the other time the director of Toshiba who had to go to the airport.”
To the disco
Somewhere around 2001, a new challenge comes on Ruud’s path. Or rather, he sets himself a challenge. “I went to a party in Zoetermeer with a friend. The theme was ‘disco’, so we dressed up in a 70s/80s costume. Once we arrived at the party, it turned out that we were pretty much the only ones there. I found that so disappointing. I thought: I can do better. A year later I organized a party with the same theme and at the same location, but much bigger.” The event was a great success and a new passion was born.
I thought: I can do better!
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Sinterklaas party and Hitz for Kidz
After this, Ruud will organize more events, especially aimed at children. “Twenty years ago there was very little for children to do in Zoetermeer. My own son was still young at the time and that’s how I started thinking of things for kids. It started with a Sinterklaas party, which quickly grew into a big festivity.” Another well-known event of Ruud is Hitz for Kidz: ”We made our own song with that, were in AFAS Live and had a collaboration with Disney.” Ruud says that he likes organizing for children even more than for adults. “When I see kids lined up laughing at something I came up with, it feels so great!”
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Perseverance
When we ask how Ruud has become so successful in this industry, without having gained any previous experience, he answers firmly: ”With a lot of passion and perseverance!” Ruud certainly has that perseverance, also in another area in his career. to live. At the age of 30, Ruud was told that he has Myotonic Dystrophy. A very rare hereditary muscle disease. This causes, among other things, increasing muscle weakness.
Before I went to the hospital I had been having complaints for a while. I noticed a loss of strength in my limbs and I was often tired. Still, I put off a doctor’s visit.” Ruud was not unfamiliar with the disease, his mother had the same condition. “I just didn’t want to believe I had it, I told myself I just hadn’t slept enough.”
Not pathetic
“The doctor at the hospital said they didn’t have to think long about his diagnosis. “It was immediately clear that I have Myotonic Dystrophy.” The news hit hard. “After the appointment I sat in the car for two hours and cried. My world came crashing down.” Ruud had always been a sports fanatic, which made his diagnosis even more painful. Yet the sadness was soon exchanged for optimism. I always see the glass as half full, not half empty. So I just wanted to continue living and enjoying myself. I wasn’t planning on waving behind the geraniums.”
Ruud says he feels good now. Some things are a bit more difficult, such as walking or visiting a football match, for example. Yet he thoroughly enjoys everything he does. “I still get a lot of energy from the things I do. I don’t feel pathetic at all and I don’t want to be found that either.”
Zoetermeer Live
And soon it will of course be completely enjoyable. Then Ruud celebrates his fiftieth birthday with a huge music event: Zoetermeer Live. ”Having a birthday drink in the living room doesn’t suit me, I wanted to do it big,” he says with a laugh. It promises to be a special occasion not only for himself, but also for Zoetermeer. “I don’t want to pat myself on the back, but I really think it’s something special. Many great artists and audiences come from all over the country. That puts us back on the map as a municipality.”
Proceeds for charity
Just like his event Hitz for Kidz, Zoetermeer Live also contributes to the fight against muscle diseases. Part of the proceeds will go to the Princess Beatrix Spierfonds. At the festival, which takes place on April 22 in the Silverdome, artists such as Jeroen van der Boom and Xander de Bousonjé will perform. Ruud knows which artist he is most looking forward to. That’s OG3NE. Firstly, I think those three are the best female singers in the Netherlands. Second, I know them from before, through Hitz for Kidz. They are such nice girls, very cool to see them again as adults.”
