Being a psychologist Jean has worked within hospitals and mental health care facilities his whole life. Son of a French father and Belgian mother, he came to The Netherlands to study when he was young. There he met his wife to be. Sitting in a room full of people, she came in, looking around for a place to sit. He waved at her to sit next to him and she never left his side. Untill 2007, when she died of a brain tumor.
Jean (83) welcomed us in his apartment in Overtoomse Veld, Amsterdam. Much of his furniture and decorations are the well kept originals they bought when they moved to the newly build apartment over 30 years ago. Jean never stopped working, now he is as busy as ever. Spokesman for elderly in the academic hospital, part of the neighbourhood council, grandfather of many, father of four sons and a daughter, all grown up.
Jean is happy we came, but asks us to leave him with the cleaning. After all he does not feel old, and does not like to be treated as if he is dependent.
