Albert is a volunteer at Client Interest “Take the time to understand what someone wants to say”

Albert (51) works as a volunteer at Cliëntenbelang in Amsterdam.Cliëntenbelang is there for all residents of Amsterdam. They are committed to improving the quality of life for people with mental, physical, or intellectual disabilities, chronic illnesses, vulnerable elderly individuals, and caregivers.Albert lives in East, volunteers for Client Interest, and uses his life experience. He tells civil servants, police officers, politicians, and caregivers how to interact well with people with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (LVB). Albert’s motto is: Everyone is equal! “What I have experienced in my life, I use in my volunteer work, my disability is my strength!”

Advocating for Amsterdam residents with disabilities

Albert is a true advisor. His tips on how to deal with people with LVB come quickly to the table. “Don’t use difficult words, speak calmly, take us seriously, keep it a bit simple, rephrase your question, approach us calmly, write letters in plain language.” As an expert by experience, he advocates for peers: “I stand up for Amsterdammers for whom life is not so straightforward. We deal with impatience and unfriendliness. And then it becomes even more difficult to answer questions or get things done. It sometimes seems as if having a disability means being taken less seriously.”

There is no sticker on your forehead

“It is beautiful volunteer work. It provides an incentive to speak with, for example, doctors. I can really make a difference with the conversations, advice, and workshops we do. Two worlds come together that otherwise would not easily talk to each other on an equal level. Not everyone dares to immediately admit to their limitations. There is no sticker ‘I have an LVB’ on your forehead. The caregivers we advise are happy with us. They are grateful for the inspiring tips and insight into our lives. They encourage me to continue, which I will definitely do.”

Lived experience expertise is something you have to learn to harness

“At Cliëntenbelang, I feel at home. I can further develop myself as a volunteer and peer specialist. Through my volunteer work, I engage with people I would never meet otherwise. It also helps me with all my other volunteer work. For the Participation Council of Cordaan, Bureau Ervaringskracht, and the Prisma Stamtafel. People like us really take longer to achieve something. Now my wife and I are fighting for a good wheelchair for her. It would be so nice if we succeed!”Get started as a volunteer at ClientBelang?

https://www.clientenbelangamsterdam.nl/

Interview: Nettie Sterrenburg
Photographer: Huub Zeeman