Freek (21) is completely dependent on others, but now has – literally – a voice

Being unable to do anything (except think) and yet wanting to live life to the fullest. That is the subject – and perhaps with a very good message for many people – of the documentary Omarm Me . Tonight it is on TV.

“I hate sitting in a wheelchair,” says Freek, pointing at letters. Finally, he can scream it out – so to speak. “Do you find it difficult to talk about?” asks his cousin Ruben. You can laugh about it, of course, about such a remark from someone who hasn’t spoken a word in almost twenty years. But what Ruben translates for Freek: “He wants everyone to know that he’s actually just normal.” Ruben: “You really are normal, aren’t you?” That’s true, says Freek, “but I feel like a prisoner in my own body.”

We are talking about the now 21-year-old Freek, the main character in the rather impressive EO documentary Omarm Me . Metro already watched him for the television section Blik op de Buis . Freek has dreams like every young person his age. But yes, he can't do anything himself, he is stuck in his (supersonic) wheelchair. Walking, eating, talking, nothing happens automatically or without help from others.

It must be terrible when your mind is fine, but you are completely dependent on the care and love of people around you. Documentary maker Wytzia Soetenhorst shows those lovers like his mother Stephanie, nephew Ruben and niece Eva. They go on holiday with Freek, make memories together. They actually embrace each other (literally 'hossend' as seen in the documentary). But actually... Freek wants more. And that is not possible.

In Omarm Me we as viewers get to see that Freek has taken a big step in his twenties. He can talk, has literally been given a voice, albeit through letters and a computer. In this way he can let us know what went through him all those years that lie behind him (and them). What were his thoughts? Did he have hopes, doubts, desires that he was never able to express?

It is great to see in this film what (medical) science stands for. "Will my pain ever go away?", we hear Freek ask himself. "It never really gets better. Everyone always takes me everywhere. I am sad about that and then I feel guilty again." Freek does not mince his words in this regard.

What a willpower this guy has, impressive. Sure, he's brutally honest about how he really feels most of the time (and that's not good). But the arrival of a voice in his life is a big deal. Watch (and listen!) tonight when he gives a speech to his guests on his 21st birthday. "Don't fill in the blanks, I'll do it all myself."

Omarm Me can be seen tonight (May 22) at 22:20 on EO on NPO 2. You can watch it again via NPO Start .

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