With a special ‘forget-me-not’ menu, Thom Klarenbeek of the Ankeveense restaurant 1244 is collecting money for the Alzheimer’s foundation this week. The reason is the early dementia of his ‘bonus father’ Rob (61), his mother’s husband: “The two years before the diagnosis were quite tough for our family,” says Thom. He hopes that the money he raises this week will be spent on research that leads to an earlier diagnosis of dementia.
Food against Alzheimer’s, restaurant raises money with special ‘forget-me-not’ menu – NH News
We meet the family around lunchtime, it is still quiet at that time in restaurant 1244, which has to deal with ‘walk-ins’ at noon. “For tonight there are a number of reservations that come especially for the action week,” says Thom.
Rob and Thom’s mother, Monique, speak to us together. She occasionally comes to the rescue when Rob is unable to find words due to aphasia – a symptom of dementia. Rob and Monique talk about the search for a doctor who knows how to put his finger on the sore spot. “Burn out, depression, I’ve been taped all kinds of things,” says Rob.
“Burn out, depression, I’ve been taped all kinds of things”
When Alzheimer was finally diagnosed, Rob was relieved. Finally a clear explanation for all complaints. Monique was far from relieved : “You wonder what should become of your life. That is mainly a lot of worrying and organizing, nothing goes by itself anymore”, she describes their new life.
Not the end of life
Yet it also gave a lot of air to the relationship and put an end to many ambiguities and annoyances, say the partners who say they are making the best of it.
Rob is happy with the action of the restaurant and his bonus son. “Everyone should know that Alzheimer’s exists and also that it is not the end of life, you can still do a lot.”
Rob, who used to have a sales position, now works as a volunteer at Natuurmonumenten, where he is mainly physically active. “Especially a lot of sawing,” he says cheerfully.
Action week until Sunday
The action week in Ankeveen will be concluded on Sunday with a so-called ‘restless afternoon’, is announced on a sign on the sidewalk.
Thom says that the intention is to hold an auction on Sunday afternoon. Contributed lots are sold by auction and the proceeds of the auction also benefit Alzheimer Nederland in full. The goal is to raise 1244 euros this week. There is still a lot to do today, because the counter is currently at 143 euros.