After Ingrid Nieuwdorp from Den Bosch told about the hellish pains that torment her, she received a lot of reactions. Last weekend she told Omroep Brabant that she would rather have euthanasia than live on like this. An operation in Switzerland can help, but is not reimbursed. The crowdfunding she started got a big boost.
Many readers support her: “I donated and shared your post!” But also: “Why is this not reimbursed?”
A treatment in Australia and an operation in Switzerland can relieve Ingrid of her excruciating pains. But the health insurer does not reimburse and Ingrid and her husband Frank de Groot cannot afford this themselves. With great hesitation they started a few weeks ago a crowdfunding.
Ingrid thinks it’s great that the money is now pouring in. But also double: “Because I think it’s terrible that it has to be like this.” Her husband adds: “It is a form of begging, actually.”
“You have to be open and honest to be allowed to start a crowdfunding.”
They also see the negative reactions, in which they are called beggars and scammers. Ingrid: “They don’t realize that you have to be open and honest before you can start a crowdfunding. You have to make clear what your target amount is based on.”
They ask for 92,000 euros. “We had to submit quotes, the amount has been fully substantiated,” explains Frank. Ingrid then sums up all expenses from an Excel sheet. From lying transport to staying in the clinic.
Ingrid and Frank understand that people ask them questions. They want to be held accountable. But here again: it is very double. “It’s crazy to be maneuvered into such a position,” says Frank. “Of course the health care in the Netherlands is good. But we have been walking from pillar to post for years. That is, to put it bluntly, a slap in the face.”
READ ALSO: Ingrid (54) is in excruciating pain and is thinking about euthanasia: ‘But I want to live!’