Ambassadors

Renée

Chronic Illness, Mental Health
Netherlands

My name is Renée, I’m 32 and I’m from the Netherlands.

On the 12’th of March 2015 I got hit by a car as a pedestrian. The car was driving 60, launched me in the air and my body dropped back on the road at least 20 meters further. My entire life changed within just a fraction of seconds and it’s not what I imagined for my partner and myself. It’ll never be the same anymore. It’s not only my trauma but also my partner his trauma, whom is now my care giver. I had a near death experience that day and am very lucky to be able to tell my story.

In hospital they diagnosed me with a large horizontal skull fracture on the back of my head, which basically split my skull in half. Next to this I had several smaller skull fractures, right eye socket, rockbone, ankle, 4 pelvic, pubic and lower back fractures. A dislocated jaw, two types of cerebral hemorrhages. The entire right side of my face had gotten 100% paralyzed and more.

This trauma left me to learn how to live an “unfixed life” with a long list of chronic and mental illnesses. I’ll name a few; Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizures, Facial Paralysis & Synkinesis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Chronic Migraines, Cluster Headaches, Fibromyalgia, Nerve Damage of multiple Nervous Systems, Tinnitus, lost ability to taste and smell, (C)PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Psychodermatology, Body Dysmorphia and more (if interested you can read about a my illnesses on my Instagram)

Even though this is a life changing event which affects literally every aspect of my life, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve always been a highly sensitive person and an empath but this experience showed me how strong I really am. It changed me for the better and enhanced all my good qualities even though this is an ongoing grieving process for the person I could’ve been and how the life of my partner and myself could’ve been.

I’m now very passionate advocating, raising awareness and educating about chronic and mental illnesses. I feel it’s my duty to do so and it gives me the feeling of having purpose in life. I love to connect with likeminded people and support each other in any way I can in hopes to make others feel less alone, heard and seen. I have lots of personal contact with people within the chronic ill community and made friends with people all over the world, which I’m very grateful for!

It’s such an honor that I may call myself a Lyfebulb Ambassador and be a part of the Lyfebulb family! Lyfebulb does an amazing job connecting patients, care givers, charities, innovators, professionals, medical field and more together to make changes for the better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Much appreciated.

I’m wishing everyone all the best and am sending you all lots of love, light, positivity, strength and spoons. Feel free to DM me when you have any questions, would love a listening ear or anything else.