Bootcamp for Shymo: she can’t do the sports herself, but she is definitely stronger than all the participants combined
It is safe to say that Shymo has become an understanding by now in between the boundaries of the Zaanstreek (the area Shymo lives at, bordering Amsterdam). Even though the foundation Help Mo Nu! Is just yet existing for eight weeks. You only have to walk into a random store and you will notice traces leading you to the one and only Mo. And even more, you can not think of something that is not being organised by the community with only one purpose: let the counter on helpmonu.nl rise as quickly as possible. On Sunday the 15th of September, it was up to Shymo’s gym, the SMC in Zaandam, to collect as much money as possible for their brave sportster. The form in which they have cast it was a real bootcamp, through which they raisen an amount of 732,45 euros.
“Before I got my disease I did dancing, not this kind of stuff”, Shymo says smiling while she is looking at her friends and family getting tired out in the bootcamp. “When I am going to the gym here, I’m doing a lot of boxing. I has become my new favourite sport and besides that you are training almost every muscle with it.” Having Evi (a friend) and Charlotte (her sister-in-law) by her side, she seems to enjoy herself easily while watching the bootcamp. “I expected it to be hard for them, but this is way more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Fortunately they’re still smiling.” Approximately forty sporty people have come to their feet, with the primary intention to collect money. “But the most important thing today is, I think, that everyone is having a good time”, Shymo says without a second thought. Due to the consequences of her disease (amongst other things a paraplegia), Shymo is moving herself around in a wheelchair nowadays. She cannot participate in the sporting activities organised on behalf of her. “Of course I feel sad about that”, she explains, “but I do have the feeling that I’m one of them at the moment. Honestly, I am feeling part of whole in every event that I have been to so far, and that is worth something as well.”
If we talk about Shymos endless positivity, as a human being you could only feel a indescribable admiration. Well, you could also be very jealous, or you may be incredibly surprised about it. “I really never met a personality like Shymo before”, says Margreet. She is one of the participants in the bootcamp and also Shymo’s’ mother in law. “That is not something I have been realising since she is ill. No, not at all. I know Shymo way longer than that, she lives only 50 meters further in our street for years now. Shymo was known for that amazing personality I’m talking about far before the cancer came knocking on her door”, says Margreet. As Siem his mother, Shymo’s boyfriend, she is very thankful for the fact that she can stand this close at Shymo’s side in her fight. “How she and Siem are taking care of everything is really admirable, but I’m also very happy that I can sometimes help out as well. The families are keeping themselves kind of behind the scenes when we are talking about the foundation. Particularly in the daily life we are trying to help out the family and especially Shymo as much as possible. Sometimes only walking the dog could be of great help when the whole family has moved to the hospital to be there for Shymo.”
Unfortunately, Shymo’s situation at the moment is not as positive as she is herself. “What I find the most difficult thing to accept as a mother and a mother-in-law, is that Siem and Shymo are turning into adults so quickly this way. There are so many moments when I’m thinking: guys, you should be at a festival right now. But at the same time, I can see that they are so incredibly happy at the moment and in their own way they’re making a festival out of life. Only in a different version than most youth nowadays, for example in the shape of a cup of coffee at Aloha (Shymo’s favourite beach restaurant), or a glass of lemonade on the balcony.”
This active Sunday afternoon we can frankly call a successful Sunday afternoon, for Shymo as well as for her family and friends. “For now it is really waiting for any news from America”, Shymo explains. “For everyone, to be honest. As soon as we are getting a green light, I am heading off to Washington. Every month, where I will get four pills everytime I come there. That is one for every week. ” When the bootcamp ended, there was waiting a heart-whole surprise for all participants. Jolanda van der Meulen made, together with her kids, the first original MOdailles from 3960 beads, 72 rings and 72 little buddhas. Shymo took the first, because of course she can call herself the winner of the day. Or actually the winner of the year. Because Shymo, you are so unbelievable decisive, inspiring, beautiful and incredibly strong. If your mental strength could be turned into physical strength, you would probably be participating in the world championship boxing next year. And I think we are all perfectly sure: that stupid cancer is never going to beat your cast-iron personality.
By Fleur Grandiek