Paul is a host at the OLVG

“Positivity drags me through everything”

Paul (55) realized, after being declared unfit due to a stroke, that he could also organize his life in a different way: that he wanted to derive his sense of purpose and success from helping others. He has a positive outlook on life and wants to pass that on to everyone.In 2004, Paul was 42 years old, a Human Resource Manager with a nice new job and a good salary, a new house, and a fancy car. He was walking down the street and didn’t feel well; he had difficulty walking and symptoms of paralysis. It was a stroke, or a cerebral infarction. He underwent two years of rehabilitation and sick leave, after which he was declared unfit for paid work. “I am a positive person who doesn’t easily give up. I do what I can. At the rehabilitation center, I realized that life must remain acceptable, that it must have meaning. I am religious. Instead of money and work success, finding meaning became important to me. I now derive my sense of success from other things.”

“Walking across the Zuidas, I never think: I could have been there too at the Friday afternoon drinks. No more triple gray and a BMW 5 series for me, but the satisfaction of my volunteer work.”

Food bankPaul visited prisoners at the Bijlmerbajes, was active in the client council of the rehabilitation center Reade, wrote a book, and is now active as a bar coordinator at ‘pink’ church services. “What I can give, I give. And I derive a lot of satisfaction from that. You matter to others, and that is important to me.”

He has also been volunteering for the Food Bank for ten years. For the first eight years, he conducted intake interviews with new clients and handled the administration of the distribution of the packages together with others. Now he only does the latter, one afternoon a week. “I enjoy the direct contact with the clients. Everyone is equal to each other. It is pleasant to convey that. You have to realize that it could happen to you too, everyone is equal to me.”Host at the OLVG“Due to my stroke and diabetes, I still regularly come for examinations at the OLVG hospital. You are often welcomed by a hostess; it is nice to receive that attention. A year ago, I was inspired to start doing the same and took action immediately. Now, on Tuesday mornings, I welcome people and guide them to the right department or person. When I was asked if I would also like to serve coffee and tea at OLVG-Oost, in the outpatient clinics, I didn’t hesitate for long. Now I do two coffee rounds there on Wednesday afternoons. The smell of coffee and my friendly face uplift people. I truly enjoy the direct contact during the coffee rounds. A joke here and there, a witty remark, a kind comment. I try to make people feel welcome. That’s how I have always felt at OLVG, and I am happy to give that back to others.”Don’t just think about yourself“I don’t miss my career at all besides the salary. People respect and appreciate what I do. I love to take action. And I hope, in everything I do, to convey to people: ‘Don’t just think of yourself; look around you. Try to empathize with the situation of others. What goes around, comes around.’ I cherish what I have and try to be there for others. Positivity drags me through everything.”Interview and photo: Helen Kooistra

Are you also interested in volunteering in Amsterdam?In our job board, there are more than 1500 different opportunities.