With a blue stamp card in their hands, the children of OBS De Schuthoek in Hoogeveen are ready to get started. Today they are running a sponsored run for Melle (8), who goes to their school. Melle has Duchenne muscular disease, and is therefore unable to walk. But he can give the starting shot! He does this with a big horn, after which the children start sprinting.
“I find it heartwarming,” says Melle’s father Ronald Huizinga. Eighteen months ago, Melle was told that he had Duchenne’s disease, a congenital muscle disease that causes his body to break down his muscles instead of building them up. He can no longer walk or cycle long distances and climbing stairs is becoming increasingly difficult.
Melle now attends special education four days a week, but still goes to school one day a week to see his classmates, whom he has known all his life. “It’s very nice to see how they interact with him,” says Ronald. “Melle has slightly different rules, but they always ensure that he can participate.”
When the school heard that Serious Request was raising money for Muscles for Muscles this year, they wanted to get involved. “The fact that we walk here for a student who attends our school naturally brings the action very close,” says teacher Sven van der Helm. “So everyone is extremely motivated to raise money.”
They do this not only by running, but also by collecting deposits, for example. Or by selling small creations made with a 3D printer. 8-year-old Jule, who is in Melle’s class, does the latter. “They are balloon dogs,” she says, beaming. “I sell them for 15 euros, and I’ve already sold fifty!”
Melle’s sister Finte (5) also participates. She has already walked six laps. She doesn’t like that her brother has Duchenne. “If he ends up in a wheelchair, he won’t be able to get on the trampoline,” she says. She is very proud of her brother.
This also applies to his parents. “It is very nice to see that – despite the fact that he cannot run – he can still contribute today. He is enjoying himself a lot, that is very nice to see.”
The school raised 4,000 euros with the sponsored walk alone. “We wanted 5,000,” says master Sven. “So we are still well over that.”